[Leica] R8 - acquired taste

[John McLeod <johnmcleod@worldnet.att.net>]

Since the mid-1970's I have owned the following SLR's:  Minolta SRT-101,
Nikkormat, Nikon F2, Leica R6, Canon EOS-1n, Nikon F5, and R8.  As far as
feel is concerned, in my fairly small hands, the R8 is clearly the most
different.  Yes, the 1n and F5 are heavy and big, but they are more like
traditional
SLR's in terms of front-to-back distance.  The R8 feels chunky, fat.  As I
mentioned a few days ago, I didn't like the R8 at first, hated it in fact --
not visually/aesthetically, but in terms of comfort.

When you pick up an R8 for the first time, it is easy to think, "What the
hell is this weird thing?  Who's idea was this?  What a bone-head design?" 
But over time your opinion may change -- dramatically.  If you think it's
ugly now, you'll probably think it's ugly tomorrow.  But if you think it's
uncomfortable today, your opinion may change if you use one for a few weeks.
 I can't over-emphasize how strange this camera felt in my hands when I
tried in stores a few times.  But the more I tried it, the more I liked it. 
Now I love it.  Not because of the Leica nameplate or the "look", but for
the very reason I initially hated it -- its ergonomics.  The bulk is now
comfortable, the controls are well placed, the viewfinder seems perfect. 
Strange but true.

There is no arguing taste, of course.  And there will be those who detest
this camera on aesthetic or ergonomic grounds.  My only point is that the R8
is a VERY different feeling camera and it takes some time to get to know it.
 Many good marriages did not begin with love at first sight.

John McLeod
- ----------
From: "Harrison McClary" <hmcclary@earthlink.net>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us 
Subject: Re: [Leica] Superb Leica R8 
Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 09:27:36 -0700 

Thomas,


I don't get these comments either.  I used the EOS gear before my switch to 
Leica and really don't see that much difference inthe R8 and EOS 1. Both are

about the same thickness.The EOS 1 was a larger camera.  The R8 fits my 
hands as well as any other camera has.  IMHO it fits the hand MUCH better 
than say the R4,5,6 Nikon FM2, F3, F2 without motors do.  These cameras I 
have always found almost impossible to use with out the accompanying grips 
on the motors esp when used with long lenses.


For those who claim the R8 is so HUGE I want to know Have you looked at it 
side to side with the F5 and EOS 1n???


At least with the R8 you can manually advance the film, manually rewind the 
film.  This is a HUGE plus when shooting in places like court rooms where 
noise is a major factor.


Thomas J. Donovan wrote:


<color><param>7F00,0000,0000</param>> And another thing; the handling
comfort of the R8 is a sheer

> joy!  I just don't get all the pejorative comments. Are my hands 

> that unique ;-)?  



<nofill>
Harrison McClary
http://people.delphi.com/hmphoto