Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/11/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Aram, _to add my 2 cents worth_ - no matter what the others say - and I haven't owned any other Leica SLRs - the R7 is a really good choice. I can't think ANY camera of the type can be improved much more - and I am even using practically all its automation (except TTL flash) with consistent results - and not sticking to just one mode that seemingly suits me most of all. It's the camera itself that suits me. I'm sure it should suit you, too. Martin Hi Aram, Having owned all of the reflex Leicas from the Mk II Leicaflex to the R-7, I'd advise you to get the R-7 over the R-5 even if it costs a few hundred dollars more. The incremental improvements in the R-7 are really worth it. Any of these would be a big step up from the R-4. The R-8 is liked by many while others dislike it, mainly because of its size and shape. It is very much a matter of personal preference. Why not rent one for a weeek from your local dealer to see if it suits you ? Note that if you do macro work no TTL ringlights are available for the R-8, whereas the R-5 through R-7 can be used w. the Minolta 360PX flash. Finally, if you need assistance with focussing why not wait until early next year when the improved R-8 (?) w. electronic focus assist is introduced ? The price is likely to be very much higher, though. Regards, Akhil Aram Langhans wrote: > > Maybe I could get some help with my decision. I use an R4 right now and > would like to upgrade a bit. My main motive is that my eye sight is getting > to the stage at age 51 that I will need some viewfinder diopter help. I was > all set on an R5 from a fellow LUGite, but then a friend brought over his > "new" R7. A bit larger, but not much. I have to admit I was always put off > by the R5's lack of 1 second manual shutter selection. I take quite a few 1 > second shots as I like to shoot waterfalls, streams and do a fair amount of > macro work where 1 sec gives me that one extra stop DOF. I know that this > speed is available in aperature priority mode, but I have never trusted auto > modes. Having shot with an all manual Rollei SL35 for close to 30 years > before getting my R4 last year, I haven't made the physological switch. > Often I must use less or more exposure than the meter tells me and in manual > mode this is easy. > > The R7 has this 1 second and more. It has 1/2 shutter speeds. I tend to > think that f-stop is more important than shutter in my style of shooting, > and often have to open or close a 1/2 stop to be able to use the full > shutter steps. Maybe this 1/2 stop thing is carrying things too far. > > Can anyone give me any perspective in this deilema? Should I get an R5 or > spend twice the money on an R7? Has anyone seen real practical beneifts to > the R7? Is the meter more accurate? Benefits of 1/2 shutter speed > selection? Any other real improvements on the R7? Actually looking at used > prices it is only a few hundred bucks more for an R8. R7's are going for > $8-900 and R8's are around $1100. > > I could get another lens for the difference in price if I bought the R5. > > Decisions, decisions. > > Aram > > This message is made of 100% recycled electrons. No new atoms were > destroyed in making it. > > Aram Langhans > Science Teacher, Naches High School > P. O. Box 159/101 W. 5th. St. > Naches, WA 98937 > > "Science Rules" > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html