RE: [Leica] R8 Question now R6

["Bergman, Mark A." <mabergm@nppd.com>]

I'm in Bob's shoes.  I shoot with Nikon and the M series.  I have used both
Nikon and rangefinders for decades.  The SLR is for all those obvious
pictures you can't do or do easily with an M body.  However last year I
upgraded from the venerable F3 to the F100.  After trying for a year I can
say without a doubt that (for me) AF sucks.  Also the  Nikon glass is good
but not the same as my leica. My reason for staying with Nikon has been cost
of the R Vs Nikon.  Now I am starting to think about dumping the Nikon
system and going with the R6.  I like the F3, don't care that much for the
R8.  Lenses I am looking at would be 16mm fisheye, 19 (or other superwide)85
F1.4 and something around 200mm.  Open for comments, especially on the R6.

- -----Original Message-----
From: BOB KRAMER [mailto:BobKramer@COOPERCARRY.com]

Lordy, Steve, but you do like to reopen cans of worms!  :-)

I have never owned a Leica SLR, but do have an F3.  I like the F3, except
for the metering.  Like you say, it is sturdy as can be and has never broken
down on me.  But if the R lenses are anything like the M lenses, it doesn't
surprise me that folks are willing to put up with the R8's flaws.  I'm no
lens hugger (I never have been one to pay to much attention to all those
lens tests, particularly from photo magazines), but there really is a world
of difference between Leica M and Nikon AIS lenses in the real world of
shooting, particularly wide open and into the sun.

Of course, if I ever get a Leica SLR, I will probably hedge my bets, and get
a SL or SL2...

Bob Kramer (loves the build quality of those "classic" Leicas)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Steve LeHuray [mailto:icommag@toad.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 9:44 AM
> 
> Sorry, but, I can not resist after listening to all this 
> foo-foo-ra over the
> R8 ever since I have been on this list. I have two Nikon F's 
> bought used 30
> years ago, heavy pro useage on dirty, dusty motorsports 
> tracks around N
> America. Never even been serviced, never broke. F2, ditto. 
> F3, FM2n, fifteen
> years and ditto, ditto. Still have all five, still trucking 
> right along. For
> the marginal gain (if any) in Leica optics why are ya'll doing this to
> yourselves????? Can somebody start a separate R list please.
> 
> Steve (Love my Leica M's)
> Annapolis