Thinking of an R8/R9

[film_man]

I have a Leica 50mm Summicron-R which I love the results from. I am currently using it on my Canon EOS 3 with a Leitax adapter. I was thinking it would be really nice to use the lens on a native body without stop-down metering/aperture control so am looking at an R8/R9. Would you say this is a reasonable thing to do?

I use the EOS 3 with the Summicron and a Voigtlander 40mm so it is not a very big system investment plus I don't really care for AF. I am also not too bothered about a motordrive (I could get one for the R8/R9...) but do want the auto exposure and other automations. The main thing I am concerned about is the viewfinder. The EOS 3 has a nice viewfinder and I have a Ec-S screen which will show DOF to f/1.8. I do not like using a split screen, just a plain matte screen.

So...if I were to get an R8/R9 what would I be giving up and gaining? I I was to get rid of the EOS 3, Voigtlander and Leitax I'd probably get enough for a R8 so the initial investment is not that high. Plus I have a Hasselblad I'm looking to dump.

Or should I just dump everything and get an M body and 50/2?

 

[NB23]

R6.2
The ultimate R

 

[Slixtiesix]

I think it is sensible. These cameras are very cheap now compared to what they were 10 years ago. You can get a mint R8 for a ridiculously small amount these days. If you don´t mind that they are a bit bulky, get one! The R9 is about 100g lighter than the R8.

 

[NB23]

The R8/9 are so bulky that at one point I asked myself "why not carry my smaller and lighter Hassy 500c everywhere instead?".

 

[film_man]

I can get an R8 for £300. That's 3x of the EOS 3. The R9 is a good £500-700, not really interested in spending that much.

My main concenr is the viewfinder, is it better on the R8 than the EOS 3? I have an Ec-S screen on the EOS 3, that shows me DOF to f/1.8 and I can focus anywhere on the screen without a split screen. Is there such a screen for the R8 or am I stuck using a split screen? I hate those things. What are the screens like on the R8?

 

[NB23]

Dont really remember. All I know is that I liked the VF.

 

[film_man]

The R8/9 are so bulky that at one point I asked myself "why not carry my smaller and lighter Hassy 500c everywhere instead?".

If I want light I take the RB67!

 

[film_man]

Well it just arrived. What a wonderful machine. The viewfinder is amazing, the feel is superb, the shutter sound is really nice and overall I'd have to say I'm happy with my choice and I'm pretty sure the EOS 3 will find its way to the ebay dustbin very soon!

 

[Slixtiesix]

Congratulations! Enjoy your new Leica! I always wanted one 10 years ago but they were too expensive back then...

 

[film_man]

I noticed, the viewfinder has a blue-ish tint compared to my EOS 3 (which has a yellow-ish tint). Is this normal? It makes things look brighter and clearer, particularly indoors with artificial lighting.