I. have had my Leica R cameras and lenses for probably close to 40 yrs and held off digital for a long time. When I finally took the didi-dive I just had to get adapters for my best and favorite lenses. I think folks are doing it the other way now just as you say Matt. They hear the lore of those famous Leica lenses and want to see what it is all about.First they buy the lenses to use on their digital bodies.
Then they get curious, so they start looking for the film bodies.
"Gateways" left and right!
There's nothing like a Leica.
Sure — but irrespective of the body, a 50mm is a 50mm. The real jump in rendering or character only comes with something like a late-model Summilux-R, and even then… would you really mount a $$$$ '90s Lux on a €100 R4? That pairing always feels a bit off, no?
I look at my R-E as a box with a lens on that holds a film, I've never done the equation of matching the price of the lens to the price of the body, but the photos seem to look very similar to those if using my R9. Am I missing something or is it a requirement Leica owners should be camera snobs?
My lowly cheap R-E and my expensive R9 both feel very similar if you're not obsessed with the name, the right hand control layouts are very similar under the fingers despite the years between them and the bigger R9 feels like a much smaller camera in the hand because it fits the hand so perfectly. Both are well behaved and enjoyable to use irrespective of the price. But I've given them both a stern talking to to reinforce that it's not they or the lens that gives a photograph 'character' but it's the photographer. So they can make-do with their 50mm Summicron between them, I'm not having the R9 getting ideas above it's station and looking down on the poor R-E as undeserving of a Summilux.
No comment, but I'm usually concerned when I see people trying to engage in a discussion with their camera equipment.
Oh, oh, at least one of my cameras speaks to me:
https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2022/02/vinny-voigtlander-vito-bl-does-jackson.html?m=1
I can't recall if I responded.....
I find it fascinating that the Babapapa-shaped R8/R9 generation is holding its own. These cameras were mocked for years: oversized, oddly contoured, caught between two design decades... yet here we are.
Are people starting to re-evaluate them as part of the broader Leica R legacy? Or is this just a temporary price bump as Leica tries to drag the R-series out of the shame corner?
I love the R3 but after 3 failed I went to other bodies. Only R4’s that had issues were below a serial number. You should be able to find it on the internet
Henning,This bashing mostly come from people who had never used one. Those photographers who have used one, or are using it, know that the R8 and R9 are ergonomically really very well designed cameras which are a joy to use.
Well, the Leica Store Wetzlar had reported about the R-system in a quite detailed way in the last years:
-- -
I think the very reasonable prices of the R-system cameras (and partly also lenses) - compared to the M system - and the high quality has lead to new interest and new attractiveness in the eyes of film photographers.
By the way, there is also very positive news for R camera users:
German lens manufacturer Meyer Optik Görlitz has announced that they now offer their lenses also with R mount!
Meyer Optik Görlitz - Unique lenses with character
Meyer Optik lenses offer exceptional bokeh and strong imaging performance. Our lenses convince with an unmistakable character.www.meyer-optik-goerlitz.com
And they also announced that they plan to design completely new lenses, in addition to their current lens line of famous historical lens designs.
The mother company and "driving force" of Meyer Optik Görlitz is German lens manufacturer OPC Optics:
OPC Optics - Your specialist for Optical Design and Engineering
Your specialist for aspherical lenses, optical design and engineeringwww.opc-optics.com
Best regards,
Henning
Yes, I know, but I'd rather believe some private individual myself. I'm going search later this evening to see if anyone has reviewed the lenses in R mount.Just look at their website, there are also sample pics.
Henning,
Thanks for that bit of information.
I hadn't heard anything about Meyer Optic Gorlitz coming out with R lenses, but that is great news.
Not only that, but it looks like their pricing is very good if the lenses come with excellent optical properties.
Can't wait to read reviews about these lenses.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?