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!
Leica R Cameras New Appreciation Thread (Images, Repairs, Accessories, & More)
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Indeed.
Just an observation: I was browsing Leica's "Leica Classic" webshop this morning and noticed that R8 bodies in good condition are now priced at 600 EUR and above. Not a fortune, sure — but not exactly the "last stop before landfill" either.
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?
Either way, they’re not disappearing — and for better or worse, not dying.
Thoughts?
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?
Either way, they’re not disappearing — and for better or worse, not dying.
Thoughts?
The Leica R8 and R9 remain the pinnacle of MF SLR design, with specifications that hold up even today - minus AF, of course. Their superb build quality and exceptional viewfinders set them apart, too.
These cameras were often unfairly mocked by people who had never actually used them, or by those who expected features like AF or motorized film advance given their size at intoduction. In reality, the R8 and R9 outclass the earlier R6.2 and R7 in every respect. The R7, at launch, was essentially an overpriced and somewhat outdated SLR with unimpressive specs. R6.2. was outclassed by Nikon FM2 for 1/3 of the price.
The R8 is generally worth around €600 and has rarely been available for less. Meanwhile, if someone is looking for an R4, those can be found for about €100, but the €500–900 50mm lens doesn’t just justify its price by comparison to a typical Japanese 50mm lens.
These cameras were often unfairly mocked by people who had never actually used them, or by those who expected features like AF or motorized film advance given their size at intoduction. In reality, the R8 and R9 outclass the earlier R6.2 and R7 in every respect. The R7, at launch, was essentially an overpriced and somewhat outdated SLR with unimpressive specs. R6.2. was outclassed by Nikon FM2 for 1/3 of the price.
The R8 is generally worth around €600 and has rarely been available for less. Meanwhile, if someone is looking for an R4, those can be found for about €100, but the €500–900 50mm lens doesn’t just justify its price by comparison to a typical Japanese 50mm lens.
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.
MattKing
Moderator
No comment, but I'm usually concerned when I see people trying to engage in a discussion with their camera equipment.
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.....
One of mine talks to me too. It seems to respond also. Yes, it's my elderly Minolta Talker. When it comes to taking picture the Minolta Talker even thinks for me too.
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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:
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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 engineering
Best regards,
Henning
For all you R owners, which model is the better choice for someone wanting to go down the rabbit hole? I’ve read there are issues with R3 and R4 electronics. So, maybe R5 or 6?
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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
Thanks.
I have a R4 and a R6. Faultless so far.
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.
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
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.
Just look at their website, there are also sample pics.
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.
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My pleasure, John.
It was announced by them both on their home page, and on their instagram account some months ago.
Most of their lenses so far are resurrections of former popular / famous Meyer Optik Görlitz lens designs. Most of them especially very well-known and popular for their distinctive character(s), like the "Soap-Bubble" bokeh.
The lenses have been improved compared to the original designs in certain areas, like e.g. lens coatings, and mechanical quality / build quality. But the original picture character is preserved.
A bit different are the latest two introductions, which are based on former Carl Zeiss Biotar lenses. The new Meyer Optik Biotars are more significantly improved, combining the character of the original design ("swirly bokeh" at open aperture), with excellent high-quality performance stopped down from f2.8 on.
The performance does not differ between the offered different lens mounts. Optical and mechanical design are always identical, only the mount is different dependent on which one you choose. You can find reviews for example here:
- https://www.35mmc.com/20/02/2023/meyer-optik-gorlitz-58mm-f-1-5-biotar-ii-the-new-version-review/
- https://www.35mmc.com/12/04/2021/meyer-primoplan-75mm-f-1-9-ii-review/
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You also find many sample photos of the different lenses on the instagram account of Meyer Optik Görlitz.
The lenses are completely made in Germany, all parts and assembly.
Best regards,
Henning
Great post.
Question: Buy a Hasselblad SWC or simply add a 21 or 24mm R lens to my collection?
While I like almost all my Leica R cameras and lenses the SWC is a camera to be held in a class of its own. The choice betwee the R wides and the SWC is an easy one for me. The answer is that I will never get rid of my SWC. With the SWC you have a super distortion free wide angle that also have interchangeable backs. That's pretty hard to beat in my opinion. If you did go the SWC route I would go for at least a later red "T" coated one. The earlier SWC lenses do flare if the sun or bright light source get near or in the frame.
Yeah the SWC seems to be an item with soul. So tempting.
Maybe it can be my travel camera for my documentary adventures.
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