Maybe its because I managed to snag a refurbished body, but if anything, I find the R8 one of the easiest bodies I have ever used for manual focusing regardless of focal length. For context, I have used & shot a lot of cameras over the last 30 years, including Pentax, Olympus, Canon, Minolta, Nikon (many), Contax, and Rollei. My SL and SL2 viewfinders are pretty good, but not as good as my R7. To me, the R8 is even better than the R7, which surprises me quite frankly. Again, for context on lenses I have from the 21mm Super Angulon up to the 400 F6.8 APO Telyt, and have found all of them to be stellar performers. What I have finally figured out after all this time (a slow learner apparently) is that my enjoyment stems not only from slowing down to be more immersed in the image capture process, but it is the actual visual experience of bringing a composition into focus. This is missing from my experience with mirrorless cameras, regardless of how perfect the quality of these images are. Now I am planning to let go of the SL, SL2 and R7 and hope to find a 2nd R8 body.
Why open your review of this lovely old Leica with an obsession over money and cost, articulating a half dozen different cameras and their prices? We all know these are expensive bits...
And some folks enjoy finding a way into the leica experience on a budget, which has gotten progressively harder to do in recent years. Never hurts to look for less expensive options
Me quedo por supuesto con las Leícas Barnacks Mucho más emocionante que trabajar con una M2. Para el caso me quedo con la M3 la mejor cámara de Leíca.. Pero yo no cambio nunca mis Leícas de tornillo, y la luz la mides sin ningún problema con un exposimetro de mano . Soy un fotógrafo profesional y llevo más de 30 años haciendo fotografías ..
First of all thank you for showing samples of your pictures taken with the R8, most RU-vidrs or “reviews” lack that fundamental piece. Secondly, I am too struggling hitting sharp focus with my 35 and 28mm and I wanted to know if you have found a better solution to that issue . Thanks again !
Yes, I use my m7, haha. Honestly it’s just a problem with wide angles having so much depth of field. The best way to solve it is to stop the lens down and make sure your subject falls within the depth of field range. Bummer but true
Everyone has a preference for sure! I said Leica’s most advanced film rangefinder, not the most advanced in the world. I’d probably give that nod to the Zeiss Ikon, which is pretty similar to your Bessa (both made by Cosina if I remember correctly). The Leica is quieter and is simply better made than any of the bessa’s that I’ve handled over the years. Better quality materials. Not saying the bessa is poorly built, just that the Leica is overbuilt. The leica also lines up better when changing between it and my digital leicas. Just easier to switch and feel like I’m still in the same experience. Minor but important while working.
Nice and relaxing exploration of two classic cameras. I have a couple Nikon Fs, a few Nikomat FTNs and a selection of Canon VT and VT Deluxe rangefinders. I love the late 50s to the early 70s era of film cameras.👍📷😊
I ended up going Barnack Leica IIIA and IIIb. Both with lenses gently touched the underside of a grand and i actually enjoy shooting with that system because when you have to account for every single variable as its broken down, makes you pay attention to your composition game too.
Great video on comparing the Nikon F SLR vs the Leica M2 range finder. Speedy recovery and stay well. Remember when I was interested in starting photography in the early60’s there was a SLR vs range finder camera war on which was better. Kind of like which was better Ford or Chevys wars of the 50-60’s lol. Was looking into a Leica M3 or M2 when they were less than $400 which at the time was expensive. Got the Nikon F Photomic since one uncle was stationed in Korea so he could get the Nikon in the PX for about $200 with a 50mm f1.4 included. Decided in the early 70’s on getting a used M2 when I took one of my cameras in for repairs at Mel Pierce. So I bought the M2 used with a couple or Leica glass for a lot less than you can find the body only on ebay. When I started using my M2 put the Nikon down on the shelf and been using the M’s since. It is all a matter on what suits you best for your photography. Ps never went digital….have my iPhone for that lol
Good presentation. Getting the correct exposure on an M6 Classic is no problem with the two arrows. Instead of looking for the red dot you look for equal brightness in the two arrows.
I’ve had my 0.58 since about 2005. I love it and it’s way better than my previous m6ttl. Love the A mode for street shooting, it’s very accurate too. I just don’t understand why it’s not loved that much, it’s the best film camera to my opinion. Shot tons of rolls
Mine has the 0.72 magnifier. I previously owned a 0.85 mag. Honestly I prefer a .72 with a 1.25 magnifier when using longer lenses. Best of both worlds!
The 35mm lines are at the very edge of the frame, similar to 28mm lines on a .72 viewfinder. If you wear glasses, expect to have to visualize the framelines in your head
I am not a very accomplished hunter but it is a goal of mine to establish a tradition of hunting that I may pass down to my 2 sons so that when I am dead and gone they can remember all the times that I pray God will allow us to have.
Excellent presentation. If I were a young (or not so young!) photographer just starting out, what a pleasure it would be to carry a small bag filled with those precision-crafted jewels of brass and glass. And I fully appreciate your calm, considered demeanor and grammatical care. RU-vid could definitely use more of that. Thank you.
I have a new Leica MP . New because I traded a faulty M6 before the new M6 released and needed reliability. I have 5 M-Mount lenses and wanted a spare body so I bought a mint M2. Shooting with this 60 year old camera feels like driving a vintage car. The Danes have a word called Hygge which means contentment cosy and calm and that sums it up perfectly. I don't use a tripod often but if the shutter speed is equal or faster than 1 sec I don't need a cable release on the M2 asI can just user the 10 second self timer to stabilise. Sweet!
I own both. To be concret a Leica M3 DS and a Nikon F2. Both a superb cameras. But I think the Nikon is best nowadays, due to his price and lenses avaibility. The Leica is the best camera for street photography, because they are super silent (I'd never found a camera like that) and if you carry a collapsible lens you can even keep in your jacket pocket. The main issue is that Leicas and his lenses is that they are overpriced. I used to have 4 Leica/Leitz lenses when I realized that I dont need them at all to take nice photographies. I sold them, except the collapsible Summicron (I cant sell that lens, it would be break my heart) and with that money I can enter to the 4x5 large format photography (it means 5 lenses, the camera, tripod, film holders...etc 🤯). My conclusion is that it was hard to me to found any difference between a picture took with the Leica lenses and the pictures took with the Nikkor lenses (just wide open and making magnifications on lightroom).
Please do not forget that before the Nikon and Leica small format cameras became popular, professional photographers used 4x5 inch large format press cameras.
Thanks for posting this. I like the M7. More than once, I put new film in my M6 and forgot to change the ISO/ASA dial. Oops! I think these are the ultimate iteration of the Leica film camera. I have an M11, now. But I still shoot some film in the old Leicas; they are great cameras.
Good review but honestly, people should look into the all mechanical Leicaflex SL2 or the R6.2 cameras. You didn't mention, the R8 is prone to failure and too costly to be worth repairing. The R9 might be better, but an all electronic camera with no support, that's a gamble for the deep pocket types. The all mechanical Leica cameras will keep working and increase in value till the sun goes into supernova. I have an R5 and an R7, but thinking of getting an R6.2 before the prices reach the stratosphere.
I had an r4s, but I didn’t like the engagement of the shutter button. The r8 is better for me in that regard. I haven’t had the pleasure to try an sl2 yet.
Thank you for the Video! I always wanted one but i could never justify the expense, $2,599 in 2004!!!! I ended up paying over 4k 2 years ago 😵💫, but I did find a very minty body so Ill live.
Love the video, very helpful. Question for Aperture Priority mode. When using Aperture Priority mode, what should the shutter selector be on? Does it matter?
It shouldn’t matter, but it doe’s effect program mode! I would suggest getting in the habit of setting it to the max shutter speed, but not worrying about it if you forget.
@@Awasos21 just shot my first roll, all in Manual mode. Some great results, some out of focus using 50 mm Summicron. Do you think aperture mode might be more fool proof?
Aperture priority really isn’t going to effect your ability to focus manually. All it does is speed up shooting in difficult lighting situations by choosing a shutter speed for you. If you’re having trouble with nailing focus, stop down to f5.6 for medium distance subjects, and f8 for things 3 ft or closer.
I enjoyed the presentation and would like to add the Leica M2 with its "fixed magnification", beside the lens viewfinder utilizes 3 sets of projected frame lines for composition is a limitation that essentially is the number one advantage a SLR versus a rangefinder camera. For example: the projected frame lines for the 90mm focal length covers a small cropped area at the center of the viewfinder for which the only advantage is the photographer is able to also see an area well around the subject. Slight off topic: Canon did experiment with utilizing a variable magnification viewfinder. Back to the Leica M2: It has three sets of built-in frame lines, (one for a 35mm focal length lens and a second for a 50mm lens). So for those in RU-vid land that are uninitiated, to utilize either the 135mm lens or 28mm focal length lenses on an M2 requires the installation an "external viewfinder" on what was once called the accessory shoe. Today it's called a hot shoe or flash shoe. With regards to those now very expensive Leitz external viewfinders, the magnification is usually 1:1 or close to it. That 1:1 magnification allows the photographer to shoot with both eyes wide open, if desired. Long and short, to be able compose with both eyes open is a plus for street photography. Street photographers don't linger very long peering through a viewfinder. I have both camera systems, although my Nikon FM2n is from the AIS era of lenses.
Unfortunately, based on my experiences, Leica is great in mechanics, but a disaster in electronics. When they break down, they really break down. Too often beyond repair. Many sensors of the newer digital versions had to be replaced. First for free, but later at your cost. My electronic shutters failed and were simply sent back. Beyond repair. I now only have an MP and it’s up to me to make use of the light meter. Fully mechanic. The shutter should go to 1/1000. But few people know that means 1/700 to 1/800. And still only flash at 1/50, much too long for outdoor fill-in. A wonderful camera for general purposes. A mechanical miracle. Just as my Rolleiflex. But don’t expect anything fancy.
Thanks for the review, its always good to see the attributes of this fine camera brought out. I bought one from Tamarkin Camera in Chicago in late 2017. Before purchase I was a little worried by those espousing the doom and gloom "what if the electrics die" baloney. However I decided to buy the camera for two reasons. I wanted another M camera - one to take with me when my wife or another person is along, as for me, the internal meter makes it faster to use. The other reason - this is a wonderful photographic tool that should not be destined to be never used by anyone as it "might" break!!! Well I have used this camera for nearly five years and have not had a single problem with it - but derived much pleasure, and images I love. I also like the near spot meter you mentioned as I can quickly meter for the area I want, hold the shutter release down, go back to the composition I want and release - love it!! An added surprise - it is worth as much more now than I paid for it.
Sold my M7 to get the Leica MP I should have bought in 2003. Great decision. My two problems with the M7 was first, it was a chrome body. Long story on that. The second reason is the electronic shutter and repair and parts for same. If the electronic fail, you're limited to two manual shutter speeds.
I’ve had shutter failures in my manual M’s as well. I think it’s been made to be a larger problem than it is. I just carry extra batteries and a spare battery door
Nice to hear that you are getting better and better in your other video, I am a project manager from Beijing and just started with Leica 5 years ago and still don't shoot much, but I just bought MP & M7 this month and an M6, M3, 3f about 5 years ago, I really love these crafts just like the art, comparing with my Nikon FM3a and F3T, I would rather use Nikon for job case, and use Leica for totally my own fun cases.
Brother, glad to hear of your recovery from heart surgery My story is similar - Heart attack followed by Quad-by pass surgery, followed by Afib which is being treated with medication. So far so good. I have both an F and F2 with a bunch of lenses These guys are built like Studebakers!!! You can pound nails and knock down walls with them! You can't beat the the feel of holding a solid camera body made of metal. Thanks for great video. Very professionaly done.
A bit of a different camera but I have a Nicca IIIf made back in the 50s as over here finding a reasonable Leica III with its proprietary lens is a bit hard still. Nevertheless, I love the way Barnacks function: simple, extremely lightweight and my goodness it’s shutter is music to me. I’m currently saving up for a IIIA model and I can’t wait to use one of those made in Weztlar.
I have the .58 viewfinder model and the eye relief is much better when wearing eye glasses, the full 28mm frame Iines are visible. I use a small piece of black gaffer tape over the battery cover. I have an M3, M4, M5 and M6 TTL, but prefer the M7 most of the time.
The fd lenses are a bargain for what they are! I find a camera only takes better photos if it inspires you to use it. A rangefinder is a very different system than an slr. I’d definitely suggest trying before buying, or buying an m2/3 first to see if you like it before dropping the money for an m7.
Nice rundown of the camera. I would only mention that in other older leica bodies (at least I can testify for the M4) the quickloading mechanism is also suppose to be trusted to engage automatically with the film.
