The camera you are currently using might be relevant. Nikon and Leica lenses focus in opposite directions (likewise the aperture ring) and it is damn' confusing when you first make the switch.So... what would you get/prefer of a Nikon FM3a or Leica R8 / R9, and why?
If you have a F4 why do want a R9, the F4 has all the features of the R9, not very good AF, but with AIS lens, a really good MF camera.
Owning both those cameras... the F4 is better if you want a camera that has AF. Otherwise the R9 handles much better, from meter mode selection to AE lock, to the way it fits in your hand. Don't get me wrong, I think the F4 is awesome and it is an insane deal. $250 for that? Wow.
Thanks guys, lots of useful feedback here. For 35mm these days Im using a Nikon F4 and a Leica M6. There are many things to appreciate with the M6, however I do prefer SLRs over rangefinders.
So, Im considering the R8/R9 as Id still like a Leica if I get rid of the M6, and the R8/9 design is awesome. What I would miss if ditching the M6 is a mechanical camera, hence the FM3a... I know, there are cameras like the FM2 (used to have one, and liked it), but having a mechanical camera with aperture priority is convenient. Its also smaller than the R8/9, which is a plus. Dependability is also important.
The F4 appeals to those who like knobs instead of buttons and dials.
he ablJust to be clear, an "electronic" camera is neither 'manual' nor 'mechanical.' The Nikon FM3a, FE, FE2, F3, Leica R8 (or R9), etc. -- these cameras and their ilk are electronic machines that incorporate 'automatic' functions. That's their explicit reason for being and, again, they represent the very antithesis of that which is implied by "manual."
Marc
(I prefer an analog metering needle too, but not at the expense of associated automation.)
And needs exercise.
These days I recommend buying something that is likely to be repairable long term. The M system has a lot going for it in that regard, as well as lens support. Lots of Nikon AF bodies are being left behind, the F6 included. The FM/FE line are a good bet because they're probably mostly repairable and parts are easy to source. I like my F2 a lot. Seems like something that is just gonna work with occasional CLAs forever. Nikon, Zeiss, Voigtlander lenses...and a superior focus screen system. I like mine a lot.
FM3a - or probably an FE2 because it has less plastic parts (well, I already have two of those).
Why? Lighter and more handy; lens availability and pricing and besides, Leica never really understood how to make an SLR that lived up to the brilliancy of their rangefinder cameras.
Nikon on the other hand ruled the SLR world for a couple of decades and the FM3a has the genes of those heydays.
if you buy into the Sover Wong song....he always prefers the lithium batteries as not leaking. Claims all the rest leak.
Hi all,
The camera you are currently using might be relevant. Nikon and Leica lenses focus in opposite directions (likewise the aperture ring) and it is damn' confusing when you first make the switch.
So... what would you get/prefer of a Nikon FM3a or Leica R8 / R9, and why?
A Nikon FM3A, but only because I own lenses which can work with it ranging from an 8mm fisheye to a 300mm f/2.8. IIRC, the last Leica R I handled was an R3 or an R4, and I don't remember much about it.
The FM3A always struck me as an "engineering for engineering sake" project from Nikon. While I can understand the "I might need that" appeal of an aperture priority camera which can function as a manual camera without batteries, feeding the FE2 batteries just wasn't that much of a hardship in the real world. So perhaps it's not surprising that the FM3A became a camera which was more collected than it was used.
In 2022, there's no rational reason for me to use a manual focus film camera. That hasn't stopped me continuing to use the Nikon FA I bought in the 1980's. If you are shooting for the sheer joy of it, choose which ever camera puts the bigger smile on your face. But if you are shooting film regularly and getting paid for it, or you have a time sensitive project, I'd consider a camera like an Nikon F3HP or Canon F1n which was designed and built for the long haul.
The lithium battery in my F3 & FE-2 seem to last forever.
Do you use a 2L76? Even ye olde silver oxide batteries lasted quite a while.
After thinking about it, if I were go with a Leica it would a Leicaflex SL 1 or 2 or R8 or 9. The early R bodies use Minolta electronics which are starting to fad. The R8 and 9 are all Leica, not sure who made the chips and IC boards, but from I read they seem to be holding up. The Leicaflex SL 1 and 2 needs batteries for the meter, in 2 I think there is a led that lights up the aperture slight otherwise all mechanical.
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