Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mike Johnston, >>The cameras rate no better than a B on the grade scale<< I'd rate the R8 as superior (A+) to anything else for my use. R optics are an A++.......w/o peer ;-)! Let me clarify what's important to me for my shooting. In essence, the ability for a camera body ( 35mm) to be optimal for handheld work AND tripod work. Lenses in question: a.) Handheld; 24mm, 35 f2, & 90 f2.8. b.) Tripod; 100 apo, & 180f2.8 apo. I don't shoot sports;-)! A few other variables; 1.) My R8 is w/o any attached motor;winder or drive. 2.) The screen is the GG version; no split image & an uncluttered view. First, let's cover the traits that make the R8 optimal for handheld work! A.) The "smoothness" of the shutter & mirror operation combined with the optimal mass (minimizing body shake) are *w/o* peer! Working in the "Hail Mary" shutter speed zone can produce great results. BTW, the shutter speeds are *very* accurate. B.) Although, I work in manual mode a lot, the combo of: 1.) "highly "accurate matrix meter. 2.) Program mode. 3.) Stepless shutter speeds in "P" mode. interact beautifully for the "decisive moment". I use this combo for about 25% of my work. You've got to use this combo to believe the reults ;-)! C.) Now to its brilliant viewfinder with the plain GG screen. Focusing is quick, accurate & uncluttered. AF yields no advantages for my kinda work; in fact, I think R8 manual focus is *more* accurate than AF. And,with manual focus, I can place an "off center" focus with ease. When it comes to tripod work; a R8 with my 100 apo or180 f2.8 apo balance perfectly yielding no sign of vibration in my slides. For the slower shutter speeds; pre-release the mirror, set the 2-sec. timer..........awesome results! Needless to say,the tripod mounts for the 280f4 &the 70-180 zoom, are great, yielding similar results. I've tried other systems; Canon viewfinders are made from a combo of "dark" matter & energy. I've got a Nikon F100 (great ergonomics & viewfinder) just to get at several of the *more* unique Nikkor lenses. The F100 lacks a mirror pre-release function; thus overall flexibility is lessor. However, the F100 would get a A- from me for hand-held work ;-)! Oh Mike, you ain't felt & seen nothing until you get your hands on a R8 with the 35 f2 (or perhaps a 50 f1.4 as well) capturing the "decisive moment". The R8 is a remarkable bundle of "subtle" features that demand *real* usage before judging its capabilities ;-)! Tom D.