Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/07/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I promissed a report of my latest trip with the R8. After years photographing with the M3 and additional lens set of 21, 35, 50, 90 and 135 mm, I bought myself a R8 with 80-200 and 35 mm. My visit to Spain last two months was my first real experience with the R. What a difference. I have been travelling from north to south and from east to west, did see many cities and a lot of nature. Especially Granada, the Sierra Nevada and the nature reserve "Donana" are extremely beautifull and a perfect place for making a lot of pictures and fun . In one day time I did do snowboarding and diving! As I always do, I made slides, velvia and ektachrome. The results were astonishing. Using a tripod makes it even better. My M3 lenses are of the same age as the M3, one of the first made. I did not expect so much improvement of the quality of the lenses, but the difference is increadible. By using a good projector every slide is astonishing. Apart from the lenses which are apparently much better, the R8 is used very differently from the M3. Of course the integrated light meter is very easy, but don't expect a point and shoot camera. With the M3 I do have a certain feeling or feedback with the camera and the subject which tells me what is wrong or right. I don't have this feeling with the R8 yet. It is a beautifull instrument, not difficult to operate compared to all its functions, but can not substitute the M3 in all situations. For nature photgraphy the 80-200 is perfect. Changing lenses is sometimes to much time consuming. Preselect you aperture or shutter speed and you only have to focus at your subject. The results are very very good, also at full aperture. In cities I still would like the smaller (easy to hide under your jacket, snapshots) M3. I did mis my extreme wide angle (21mm). The R should be equiped with the 19mm I think. More remarkable is the lack of the 50mm. I almost did not miss it. It pushes you to think about creative solutions and different points of view. This is the danger of the zoom lens, it makes you lazy and you will miss other perceptions. My ideal R set for travelling would be: 19mm 35mm 80-200mm monopod Small, not to heavy, good performance. Last but not least, the Spanish people are realy friendly and assisting you whenever necessary. As soon as they notice that you speek Spanish they never stop talking ! Richard S.