[Leica] Best older R-leicas (was: Leica with little money?)

[Doug Herr <Telyt@compuserve.com>]

On Sun, 18 Apr 1999, Mira Askin wrote:

<SNIP>
>I have used Nikon FM2 with motor until it introdused. I wanna little bit
>stronger machine. Not any Minolta based Leica (too light). 
>Leicaflex is one choose.
>R3elektronic sound nice. Is it good tool in praktice? What about the R3?
>Is R4 different than R4s?

>Simply: Best older R-Leicas, what they are?  Autoexposure is not
necessary.
>Good light-metering would be nice, doch.

Mira,

The R3 is the first Leica R-body derived from a Minolta design. Early
samples had serious reliability problems but my guess is that any R3 body
that has seen much use and is still working should be reliable.  The
viewfinder is not as bright as any of the Leicaflex viewfinders.

The R4 is not the same as the R4s which is not the same as the R4sP.  The
R4, like the R3, had initial quality problems but the R4s and R4sP did not.
 The R4 has shutter priority and program modes that the R4s and R4sP lack. 
The R4sP is an improvement on the R4s with manual shutter speeds in the
viewfinder and improved dust seals and idiot-resistant switches.  I have
used the R4s and am presently using 2 R4sP bodies and have found them to be
reliable.

My favorite older Leica SLR is the Leicaflex SL.  It's relatively cheap to
buy, but some repairs can be expensive.  It's very solid and reliable, and
smooth and sensuous to operate.  The viewfinder is exceptionally bright,
clear and easy to focus.  The central spot meter has been accurate for me,
and the mechanically-timed shutter is continuously variable over most of
its range.  The Leicaflex SL2 is operationally similar except it has a much
more sensetive meter, displays the aperture as well as shutter speed in the
viewfinder and has a split-image focussing aid on the viewscreen (which I
prefer not to have).  The SL2 is more scarce than the SL so it's price is
driven as much by collectors as by users, especially the black models.  The
original Leicaflex, now called the Leicaflex Standard, has a non-TTL light
meter and the viewscreen can be focussed only in the central area.  It has
a mirror lock-up but because of the non-TTL light meter and the
non-full-focussing viewscreen I can't recommend it for extremely long
lenses or macro work.  I have 2 SL bodies as well as the R4sP cameras and
given a choice I'll use an SL instead of anything else.

Doug Herr
Sacramento