Leica R6 SLR -- slight lag in shutter? Normal or not?

Trask · Oct 10, 2011

I'm looking at a Leica R6 body for $390 (but negotiable); when I fire the shutter, at any shutter speed, I get the impression that the camera is hesitating slightly before actually going through the mirror up-shutter open/close - mirror down sequence. Usually, with most cameras I've used (and I've used a lot), there's minimal shutter lag between tripping the shutter and the camera responding. This R6 strikes me as being a bit on the "lazy" side, but I have no other experience with the camera.

Does anyone find that their R6 is like this, or is it more likely this camera has a problem?

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Oct 10, 2011

I used Leicaflex and there was anything like shutter lag. I think there might be a problem. Buy R4 and R3 from keh com starting from 80 dollars. Its faraway cheaper than to repair that camera. If it is broke , you buy another one.

Good luck,

Umut

John Koehrer · Oct 10, 2011

All SLr's work the same general way. You press the button and there's a linkage that releases the mirror which then trips the shutter.
What you're describing is a slow lever,actuator or even mirror. It needs a CLA to replace/remove the old gunk.
Depending where you send it it can be reasonable(for a Leica) or expensive(normal)

GaryS · Oct 11, 2011

Yes, absolutely normal-- the R6 and R7 have a noticeable lag.

Rol_Lei Nut · Oct 11, 2011

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
I used Leicaflex and there was anything like shutter lag. I think there might be a problem.

The Leicaflexes have one of the shortest (possibly *the* shortest) shutter lags of all mirror flipping SLRs, one of several ways in which they're somewhat "rangefinder-like".

The R series are quite different cameras, so comparisons are meaningless.

Haven't used the R6, but the R4 & R5 have somewhat longer shutter lags than many cameras I've used.

Rol_Lei Nut · Oct 11, 2011

John Koehrer said:
All SLr's work the same general way. You press the button and there's a linkage that releases the mirror which then trips the shutter.
What you're describing is a slow lever,actuator or even mirror.

But there *are* big differences between cameras even when working perfectly...

Lee L · Oct 11, 2011

The R4s and R6 feel to me like they have noticeable lag compared to the R3 or SL. I haven't used the R8, R9, or R6.2, but I've heard anecdotes that the lag is less with those bodies. I learned to anticipate the R3 lag (which is pretty small) really well during 30 years of almost exclusive use. When using rangefinders, I had to slow down my release a beat to hit my 'mark' in time.

I haven't seen numbers.

Lee

John Koehrer · Oct 11, 2011

Rol_Lei Nut said:
But there *are* big differences between cameras even when working perfectly...

There are differences in lag time, but they all work in a similar manner. Th e shutter is not tripped until the mirror has risen. In that way there are no big differences in SLR's at all.

sangetsu · Oct 15, 2011

The R6 uses an electric shutter, and it seems that shutter release is not instantaneous. The R6.2 has a mechanical shutter, but it also has a hefty price tag. But I think it is the best of all the Leica SLR cameras.

Lee L · Oct 15, 2011

sangetsu said:
The R6 uses an electric shutter, and it seems that shutter release is not instantaneous. The R6.2 has a mechanical shutter, but it also has a hefty price tag. But I think it is the best of all the Leica SLR cameras.

Both the R6 and the R6.2 have mechanical shutters and no automated electronic modes. The batteries only power the light meter in both these models. The 6.2 adds a 1/2000 shutter speed and some other changes.

Lee

Rol_Lei Nut · Oct 15, 2011

Compared to the R6, the Leicaflex SL & SL2 are better cameras IMHO.

Pros & cons are:

Pros:
Much better viewfinder & focusing
Better dampened shutter & mirror
Much shorter shutter lag
1/2000
Shutter speed dial can be moved with the tip of your index finger
Bigger & heavier = better holding & handling (also a con of course)
Pretty bomb proof - needs a CLA every few decades

Cons:
If you want a motor drive, then you need a special model and the motor itself is *huge*
Some lenses won't fit on the SL (and ROM lenses not on either - slightly simplified statement here).
Some argue that as an older camera, it's less reliable (I disagree!)
Some think that the "obsolete battery problem" really is a problem (I disagree!)
It's big and heavy
The SL, especially in chrome, has the aesthetics of a 1960's washing machine...

Trask · Oct 15, 2011

I looked at an early Leicaflex at a camera fair in France several years ago, and am still trying to figure out the "aerial image" that it presents to the user. Different from a "normal" ground glass image - and brighter.

Thanks for your collected thoughts on the R6 shutter lag. I think it would bother me, the feeling that the camera doesn't react immediately when I press the shutter. My Leica RF cameras have spoiled me.

Chan Tran · Oct 15, 2011

I can't feel the lag in all of the SLR's I have used. So if I can feel the lag in any I would think there is a problem.

Rol_Lei Nut · Oct 15, 2011

The first Leicaflex has the "aerial image" you describe, the SL & SL2 are quite different.

The SL has very fine microprisms over the entire surface (a bit similar to a Nikon H screen), which makes focusing extremely easy anywhere in the field, even the corners.
The SL2 has a more "traditional" looking focusing screen, but still one of the very best I've ever seen for brightness, contrast and the image snapping into focus.
I do slightly prefer the SL's screen, but the SL2 can use some of my favorite lenses which the SL can't (19mm II, 15mm).

Leica R6 SLR -- slight lag in shutter? Normal or not?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency