Re: [Leica] "standard camera"

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

Eloquent description of the merits of the R8 Alan.

John McLeod
- ----------
>From: Alan Ball <AlanBall@csi.com>
>To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>Subject: Re: [Leica] "standard camera"
>Date: Tue, Dec 22, 1998, 5:43 AM
>

>Steve,
>
>A few weeks ago, I had the answer to that: obviously you should go for
>the F5 (or even more to the coming F100) for a much better
>quality/price/features mix and ratio. And I would have sounded quite
>convincing: no real life imaging advantage for the R, no AF for the R,
>etc, etc.
>
>Now, due to luggite (the lug disease), I've spent my economies and
>traded my trustworthy Nikon system for a lonely R8 + 50mm Summicron (on
>loan). A LUG pusher also lent me a 100mm apo-macro-R. I'm now working
>overtime again and trying to sell almost every piece of photo equipment
>that lies around (except my M system of course), in order to finance the
>purchase of that lens and of the new 180mm f2.8 apo-elmarit.
>
>The reason (besides luggite) ? Well, not reason really, but the pleasure
>and the fun. The R8 is the most silent SLR I ever touched: it has this
>motorless feature that is very exclusive these days on high end systems.
>It is also exquisitely built: perfect ergonomy, perfect manageability in
>all modes, unbelievable smoothness of operation: both my former F90 and
>FM2 seem 'cold', unfinished and rustic by comparison. The R8 also sports
>a very advanced feature which is the integrated flashmeter, which allows
>to control the output of any number of non-dedicated flashes. On the
>other side, the SCA 3501 dedicated shoe provides sophisticated auto-TTL
>management with EASY control on fill-in ratio. Not as sophisticated as
>the Nikon "3D matrix TTL" system, but MUCH easier to master, faster to
>use and, really, just as efficient.
>
>That is not all. The mechanical quality of the lenses, and the materials
>used, guarantee a great picture taking experience: they are so smooth
>and precise that they even put the good old AI Nikkors to shame on the
>tactile feedback level. The Nikkor AF generation is simply boring to use
>(though very efficient). I am not going to rave on the so-called optical
>superiority of Leica R lenses. Not yet anyway. But the rolls of slides I
>got back are very rewarding. Any picture failure is my fault. It is good
>to "know" that those are supposed to be the best lenses ever designed.
>
>So, at the end of the day, the Leica R is not the most productive
>picture taking 35mm SLR outfit available. But I can guarantee you it is
>the one that feels the best and gives the best user interface I ever
>tried. It pushes you to shoot, because it makes you want to use it. On
>that level it certainly makes a difference. 
>
>Alan.
>
>
>
>smhickel@iserv.net wrote:
>> 
>> Ok, its me again. Went in looking at the R8 for which I have two 3-cam
>> lenses. The 50/2 and 35/2.8. My thought is to sell my R4s and move into the
>> R-8 with the 180/2.8 that I asked about earlier. Then the fellow shows me
>> the Nikon F5. Looking at the F5 and R-8 side-by-side I was impressede more
>> with the F5 (did you see how fast that motor drive moves that puppy?). So
>> now my brain is ticking. I do have a few Nikkor lenses lying about so do I
>> get the R8 and 180/2.8 combo OR do I opt for the F5 and maybe the 180/2.8
>> or the 80-200/2.8? Well I am going to sleep on this but what I do know is
>> that the lens is what counts and the three Leica lenses I mentioned are
>> nice ones. Thoughts anybody?
>> 
>> Steve
>
>