New R8 Convert

[Richard Clompus <rclompus@voicenet.com>]

Dear Fellow LUGnuts,

Its late here in Pennsylvania - about 11:40 PM.  After living with a
recently updated Leicaflex SL ( from Sherry Krauter fame), I dropped off
the proverbial cliff today by taking delivery of a  new black R8 and 60mm
macro.  It compliments my new 100mm Apo macro lens. I fell for it like a
ton of bricks.

Boy was Ted right on by his assessment of this camera.  I thought I would
be a die hard R 6.2 fan based upon my M6 experience.  I couldn't have been
more wrong.  The viewfinder of the R 6.2 was hard to view through with
glasses and was even a bit dim with f 2.8 maximum aperture lenses.  The R8
is a godsend.  Yes its heavy and big but its got lots of large rubbery
surfaces to hold onto.  I am looking forward to getting the winder when it
arrives this Fall. This camera feels better to hold than to hang around
your neck on a Domke strap.

Not I've got my sights on a new 35mm Summicron-R lens and a flash to work
with its on-board computer.  Macro is my main use for reflex cameras and
this camera should do it for me.  I thought I would be "married" to Canon
SLRs for my lifetime but that's all changed now.  

Ted Grant and Dick Hemingway put me on the right track with the R8.  What a
machine.  If it was a Canon I'd be even more excited since I could use all
my current FD lenses.  But I can live with Leica lenses.  I just have to
work harder and longer to get them.  Gives you a reason to get up in the
morning.  

Richard
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Richard Clompus, OD
West Chester, PA, USA