A continuation of my Leica R8 Overview/Review. Here I cover lens selections, my impressions of film wind and shutter in use, and the (essential, in my opinion) motor drive.
Glad you liked the video. Interesting you ask about the R8 vs. the Contaxes. I need to decide which system I'll keep. It's very tough. Each system does some things very well, and others not so well. Trade-offs. I am still going to do an R8 "opinions" video with likes and dislikes, and I'll do some comparisons at that point. Basically, you can't go wrong with either system. Both offer the best lenses available for 35mm. Very tough choice!
I'm shooting it some more before I do the final opinion. I think I've put two additional rolls through it since this video. I'm halfway through another. I can say one thing for sure -- the lenses are great.
Your English is just fine :-). I am working on a video on your question as I type this reply. The video should be available in a couple of hours. Please have a look at the video and see if it answers your question.
I like the F-2 because it is classic and so versatile. I bought mine used (like most everything else). It is a little big if you're not carrying much. IMO the F-10 is good for rangefinders and SLRs and carries much smaller than the F-2. It is Domke's best kept secret, IMO. I have videos here showing how it works for multiple systems, including rangefinders. I have an upcoming video showing it holding the Leica R8, with motor, and two extra lenses. It's a great, versatile, bag.
Ahh. I'm used to the latest lenses just being called ROM lenses. I figured that the ROM was in addition to all the other cams at the lens interface. I didn't realize it actually replaced some of them. Good info. I, and my subscribers, thank you. :-)
There has been a rumor about a digital leica R10, but nobody knows if that's gonna happen soon enough, some of my friends re-mounted the R lenses to Nikon so that they can have a digital body for those fine lenses , it's quite a simple operation. Something for your thought... the video is informative as always, thank you and please do keep up the good work.
Yes, I prefer the R8 for its handling. Obviously, handling is pretty important to me, since the Contax stuff actually has better features and slightly less expensive lenses. I have sold off all my Contax SLR gear (I kept my Gs, though).
Oh man, good luck with your decision! Im excited to see your opinion video on the R8. Keep up the great work, these videos definitely help with someones decisions in buying a camera.
2 years on, and I know why I hesitated buying this great and revered camera. The sheer size complete with motor drive is beautifully ergonomic in a brutish way, and that 'weapon of mass destruction' look, would frighten the very young and the very old!
Yes, it's RU-vid "wisdom". Even I can't put a URL in my very own video's comments. Only in the description. What I tend to do is use a URL minifier (like tinyurl . com) and then space out the components of the URL when I type it in. You probably don't want to go to the trouble ;-).
Just "pour parler", there was a third-party maker of lenses for R cameras: french company Angenieux made a few R mount lenses in late 80s (such as 35-70 and 70-210 zooms, and an interesting 180 f/2.3 Apochromatic etc.)
They work with R3-R9, but won't work with Leicaflex. To sum up: 1 cam was for early Leicaflex MkI-II, then 2nd cam for Leicaflex SL/SL2. Then R-cam for R3 and later bodies... 1st and 2nd cam are still there only for retro compatibility, even an old R3 or R6 don't use it, only 3rd cam is used for metering.
Unfortunately, I think those rumors are now dead (unless you've been hearing new ones). I was left with the impression that the S2 was Leica's answer to those wanting a digital R. Anyway, I hope you're right. Actually, no, I hope you're wrong -- I'll never be able to afford a new digital R, and the existence of one would drive R lens prices even higher :-). Thanks for the encouragement, re the vids. I'll keep it up :-)
Thanks for that. I'm familiar with Angenieux, but didn't realize they made R lenses. Probably pretty hard to find (?). Haven't seen them on KEH or eBay anyway :-).
I don't know if they are intrinsically better, but they are newer, and thus *may* be better due to innovation (but Leica is slow to innovate). I think mostly they just have the additional cam that the R8/9 require.
Nice video! nice shirt! nice camera!;) one question: i want a camerabag for my birthday and i really want a domke bag but i don't really know wich one. i have some film rangefinder gear and some slr s so i don t want a very big bag but also not to small;) maybe you can tell me wich comes in your mind ??;)
Yes and no: R8/R9, like any other R from R3 on, take 3-cam OR "R-cam-only" lenses (ie. lenses with only the "third" cam, aka R-cam, and without original Leicaflex cams: nearly all late productions R lenses are like that: only R cam).
I still have it, and I still think it's a great camera. My rebuilt battery for the motor drive seems to be going bad again, so that's a bummer. But honestly that might be because it doesn't get enough exercise. For the past few years, I have focused (heh) on medium format when/if I shoot film. I still like looking at 35mm images, but I don't particularly care for developing and scanning 35mm film.
Hi Mike. I recently purchased a Leica R8 with a motor drive. My decision was influenced by your thorough review - thanks! I have a question for you: I cannot get the battery out of the motor drive unit. I have rotate the D-ring on the end all the way counter-clockwise but when I pull on it nothing moves. Is there some trick to removing the battery? I can't find the instruction manual for the motor drive online. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
Daniel Szpiro Congrats on an excellent camera! There’s no trick to removing the battery. I’m sure you’re doing it right. Rotating the ring should unlock it, and it should spring free ever so slightly (IIRC). It’s possible the batteries inside the battery case have swollen, I suppose (?), and thus it’s stuck in place. That, or maybe the contacts have frozen together a little. It may sound crazy, but perhaps put the motor drive/battery in the freezer, say overnight, and see if that loosens anything up, either while frozen or once thawed. Try tapping the motor drive around the battery compartment (lightly, with something not too sharp or hard) The batteries are probably toast anyway (mine needs to be rebuilt *again*), so freezing them probably won’t make anything worse. I once bought a large format lens already installed in a lens board, and the thing WOULD NOT unscrew off the board. I put it in the freezer for a couple of days in a baggie, and every once in a while tried to unscrew it. Eventually it did come loose. Unscrewing something is probably easier than extracting something, though. Good luck!
Hi Mike, Wow - thank very much for your very detailed reply - very much appreciated! I am a few shots short of finishing my first roll of film in the R8 and it has been a joy to handle. The first R lens I picked-up was the 60mm macro. The feel of the camera and lens in my hands is just great and the controls are very easy to operate. I look forward to seeing some results soon. :) Thanks again for making this set of videos on the R8, lenses, and accessories. I am quite sincere that these great videos helped convince me to purchase the R8. I'll follow you advice about the battery and post my results. Cheers!
Hi again Mike, Update: Emboldened by your confirmation that there was no other release mechanism than the D-ring, I carefully inserted a screwdriver blade into the gap between the battery charge indicator and the shell and twisted carefully while turning the D-ring...and it worked! The battery budged and I did manage to pull it out. It didn't slide out easily sos I expect the battery has swollen somewhat. Maybe that's what batteries do when they get old. In any case, I can now charge it and get it our again. Thanks once again for your quick and helpful reply! Best, Danny
Yes, but like I said there was R-only even before ROM contacts came out: since the 80s, many lenses came without Leicaflex cam, probably to save cost. tinyurl DOT com/bssqe6c BTW, you're welcome :)
