[Leica] Pondering an R8

["Robert Rose" <rjr@usip.com>]

The R8 can have many personalities.

The R8 with a 50mm Summicron, no motor winder, and the SF20 flash,
makes a light enough, travel companion. The viewfinder is very bright,
with high eye point for eyeglass wearers.

I have found the 50mm Summicron-R to be every bit the equal of the 50mm
Summicron-M.  The newer Summilux 50mm is supposed to be stunning, and
would probably make the viewfinder look like a TV screen in brightness.

If you can afford the extra room and don't need the speed, leave the
Summicron at home, and take the 35-70mm ASPH zoom.  Just be sure to take
the SF20. I have never been disappointed by any image taken through the
35-70mm.  For practical work the lens is the equal of the Summicron.  If
the weight is not a problem, add the winder; it balances nicely with the
zoom.  Only problem for me was indoors; the f/4 aperture lowers the
viewfinder brightness (but same for all SLRs).

While (of course) I haven't seen the 21-35; I suspect that an R8 with
the three zooms, 21-35; 35-70; and 80-200 would be all you would ever
need, unless low light shooting is required.

For macro work, you simply need to get the 100mm APO.  While the
35-70mm has a macro, as does the 60mm, having owned both they are not
the equal of the 100 in macro setting.  The 100mm is superb at every f
stop.  It is, however, heavy.

I also have the 75-200 Minolta designed zoom.  No flames, please, but
on a light table at f/5.6 to f/8 you would not be able to pick
consistently the difference between that lens and the 100 APO.  I just
think that the longer lenses are all really fine performers.

The 19mm first version was stunning at f/5.6; too much vignetting at
f/2.8.   Also, it has too much "fattening" distortion for me at the
edges.  With the 21-35 zoom, I think there is hardly a reason for the
average user to have the 19mm, but I have never tried the newer 19mm.

The SF20 flash is good enough for most uses.  I have the Metz flash,
which is frankly a little too big and heavy.  The newer Metz 54 may be
better; don['t know.

Hope that helps.

Bob Rose
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