Looking for a backup body to R8

[film_man]

Hello!

I've got a Leica R8 which I adore and I'm thinking of getting a 2nd body both as backup and for loading different film.

I can't stretch the budget to a R9 so the options are either another R8 or to go for something older like an R4. Considering I can get a R4s for under £100 (vs £300 for another R8) would that be a sensible backup body? Particularly:

1 how would the viewfinder compare, I love the brightness and clarity of the R8
2 is the R4s a good body or am I just buying trouble (dodgy electronics, etc)
3 I currently have a 3-cam 35 Summicron and a 50mm Summicron-ROM (ie 3rd cam only). Can these be used ok with bodies other than the R8/9.

Thanks!

 

[andrew.roos]

Your 3-cam lens will work on all the Leica SLRs, including the pre-R models. The 3rd cam ROM lens will work on all the R bodies, but not the pre-R bodies. My personal choice for a backup camera would be the R6/6.2 since they are all mechanical (except for the light meter and TTL flash) so if it's left unused for a couple of years you don't have to worry that the batteries will be flat when you need it. They're rather more expensive than the R4S, though.

 

[frank]

Leicaflex SL?

 

[miha]

1 how would the viewfinder compare, I love the brightness and clarity of the R8
2 is the R4s a good body or am I just buying trouble (dodgy electronics, etc)
3 I currently have a 3-cam 35 Summicron and a 50mm Summicron-ROM (ie 3rd cam only). Can these be used ok with bodies other than the R8/9.

Thanks!

1. dimmer with higher magnification
2. if it still works it should be fine
3. 3-cam works on Leicaflex to R9 (with some exceptions for some focal lengths), 3rd cam only is limited to R4-R9.

Get another R8.

 

[film_man]

Your 3-cam lens will work on all the Leica SLRs, including the pre-R models. The 3rd cam ROM lens will work on all the R bodies, but not the pre-R bodies. My personal choice for a backup camera would be the R6/6.2 since they are all mechanical (except for the light meter and TTL flash) so if it's left unused for a couple of years you don't have to worry that the batteries will be flat when you need it. They're rather more expensive than the R4S, though.

Thanks, I thought about the R6/6.2 but they cost pretty much the same as the R8 so I might as well get the R8 and have two of the same. Obviously one will be black and the other chrome

 

[film_man]

Leicaflex SL?

I discounted the SLs as I have a ROM lens so I don't want to get into compatibility issues.

 

[NB23]

The R6.2 that I'm selling

Yes, the R6.2 is expensive but is also the best of the Rs. If you can find a good one at a good price, take it.

 

[film_man]

1. dimmer with higher magnification
2. if it still works it should be fine
3. 3-cam works on Leicaflex to R9 (with some exceptions for some focal lengths), 3rd cam only is limited to R4-R9.

Get another R8.

Yeah I'm kind of leaning toward the R8 option, it's just that £200 price difference I keep thinking about...

 

[film_man]

The R6.2 that I'm selling

Yes, the R6.2 is expensive but is also the best of the Rs. If you can find a good one at a good price, take it.

Unfortunately the R6.2 in the UK is generally more expensive than the R8! Unless you are selling at a very good price

 

[film_man]

Chrome R8 it was in the end!

 

[benjiboy]

I can't see the use of antique cameras as matter of ethics any more than as an amateur carpenter I can see the use of antique tools, they were made to be used.

 

[miha]

Chrome R8 it was in the end!

Money well spent, there is no better camera for the money. Enjoy it.