Leica R4–R7
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| R4 with Macro-Elmarit 60/2.8 image by Carlos Santisteban (Image rights) |
The Leica R4 family of Leica 35mm SLR cameras was launched in 1980. The camera design was a joint venture based on Leitz's co-operation agreement of 1972 with Minolta. Copal developed the shutter. Minolta's version was launched in 1977 (as the Minolta XD-11 in the US, the Minolta XD-7 in Europe and Minolta XD in Japan). The Leica R4 was made available in five versions, the first of which appeared in 1980. Later, several more models have emerged from the same basic concept, mostly with improved electronic features like TTL flash metering and exposure modes.
Following the commercial success of the Minolta-based Leica R3, in 1980 Leitz introduced the Leica R4, based on the Minolta XD-7 but with a Leitz-developed mirror box, metering, and new body design. The same body and chassis were used for all subsequent models through to the R7.
Although developed as a joint venture, Leitz made their version somewhat differently, especially the exposure metering system and the top cover design and controls. Unfortunately three of the four series of this camera were encumbered with electronic circuits problems. This relates to cameras with serial numbers below 1.600.000. However, those working after 20 years, or more, are either repaired or not likely to give problems.
Leitz decided to introduce this all-black camera series with the Leica R4 mot electronic name, to emphasis the technology and features involved. However, since no motor actually was built in, but rather available separately, the term was not very well received, the name was soon abandoned, and replaced by simply Leica R4, available from 1981. A chrome version was launched the following year. A slightly modified model, the Leica R4s, having fewer automatic modes and hence quite durable, was made available in 1983 to justify a reduced price in order to help increase sales. Still another sales adjusted model, the Leica R4s-2 was launched in 1985 with a few conveniences added. It was called the R4s-P in North America.
Contents
R4 / R4s / R4s MOD II
The Leica R4 was made available in five versions; the Leica R4 MOT Electronic in 1980, the Leica R4 in 1981, the Leica R4 chrome in 1982, the Leica R4s in 1983, the Leica R4s-2 in 1985, and a special limited-edition Leica R4 in gold and brown skin in 1984.
The first Leica reflex camera where all models could take a winder or motor drive, the original name R4 MOT Electronic was changed (following complaints that this implied a built-in motor) to R4.
Also for the first time the camera offered both selective and integrated metering as well as multiple exposure modes. (This was selective rather than spot metering and Leica always referred to it as selective.)
Viewfinder
The typically comprehensive viewfinder display included:
- Exposure / metering mode
- Selected aperture (small optical window)
- (m and T modes) Selected shutter speed
- (m, A, and P modes) Range of shutter speeds with LED indicating metered setting
- (T mode) Range of apertures with LED indicating metered setting
- Over / under exposure
- Exposure compensation set (flashing)
- Flash ready (steady, using the exposure compensation indicator)
Focussing screens are interchangable, all with a central 7mm ring indicating the selective metering area. There is a built-in viewfinder blind but dioptre correction by separate eyepiece.
Metering
A single light cell is mounted in the base towards the front and pointing back at the film plane. The main mirror is semi-silvered and light passing through is reflected by a large secondary mirror onto the sensor. A small condensing lens is moved mechanically to effect the change from selective to full-field metering (this can be felt quite distinctly when moving the selector between modes "a" and "A").
Exposure and metering modes
The camera offers a preset range of metering and exposure measurement modes:
- m - Manual, selective measurement
- a - Aperture priority semi automatic, selective measurement with exposure lock
- A - Aperture priority semi automatic, full field measurement
- P - Program fully automatic, full field measurement
- T - Shutter priority semi automatic, full field measurement
R4s / R4s MOD II
The R4s was a lower-priced model with reduced features, lacking P and T modes. MOD II was a later revision with changed controls, principally a much-improved exposure compensation control.
Winder and motor drive
For the first time a Leica reflex camera was offered from the outset with the option of a winder or motor drive. The winder transports at 2fps and the bulkier and heavier motor drive at selectable 2fps or 4fps. Both can be fitted with the hand-grip; both also supply power to the camera, providing an alternative power supply for the camera itself. Both also use separate battery carriers so it is possible to carry a spare carrier and change power source almost instantly.
The winder was developed to be particularly silent with rubber O ring drive from the motor, and the motor drive has all metal gears. Neither offers film rewind nor is there an end-of-film sensor. Leica recommended using only 36-exposure film as the camera would stop at exposure 36 and prevent film tear out.
A minor change at the time the R5 was introduced was from a mechanically connected to an electrically connected hand-grip. Both hand-grip and winder / motor drive had small changes and were not cross-compatible although any winder / motor drive would fit on any camera of the R4–R7 series.
Notes
Made by Leica's factory in Portugal, early models suffered electronic failures. Later cameras and any that still survive should be trouble free. Foam light seals on the camera back degrade causing light leak around the film DX window.
R5 / RE
The Leica R5 was launched in 1987 (and R5 chrome the following year). It introduced Program shift and, much more importantly, TTL flash exposure. Shutter speed was also increased one stop to 1/2000s.
In P Program mode the shutter speed dial is used to bias towards longer or shorter shutter speeds (where possible). A small "p" at 1/30s indicates the normal setting.
TTL flash is measured by a second light sensor beside the main sensor and always measures full field regardless of mode.
The RE, like the R4s, was a lower-cost version lacking P and T modes. Production of the RE was in Solms, Germany, where all future R cameras would be assembled (including some later R5 cameras), although the factory in Portugal continued to manufacture sub-assemblies and accessories.
R6 / R6.2
The Leica R6 (in either black or chrome), was launched in 1988. It is a very different camera, developed and manufactured in Solms. Operation is entirely mechanical with electronics for light measurement only. Operation is manual only: the selector simply switches between selective and full field measurement. Aimed at professional photographers, the R6 was significantly more expensive than the R5.
Automatic TTL flash exposure is provided, as on the R5.
The R6.2 has an improved shutter with 1/2000s top speed. It continued to be sold alongside the R7 and even the R8 for a short time.
Viewfinder
Information display in the viewfinder is simplified, the previous vertical scale of exposure LED's is replaced by a three-segment LED beneath the main view amongst the other settings indicating under / correct / over exposure. Display backlighting was provided.
R7
The R7 was extensively reworked and was Leica's first microprocessor controlled camera. This entailed additional circuitry in the base, increasing the height of the camera, which in turn required a new, taller grip for the winder cum motor drive. Automatic DX film sensitivity setting is provided with manual override.
Shutter, light metering, and exposure modes are unchanged from the R5.
Viewfinder
Information display was revised and selected or computed shutter speed was now shown digitally below the view together with selected exposure mode and aperture display window.
In manual mode the vertical display shows a scale of +2 to −2 EV with centre correct exposure, making setting manual exposure much easier. In shutter priority and program modes the vertical display shows computed aperture setting, meaning that in program mode the camera displays both computed shutter and aperture settings.
The display is backlit.
Flash control
The main enhancement from previous models is fully automatic flash control when using SCA 300 / 500 units. In Program mode the camera selects between normal exposure and, in low light, flash exposure. The flash unit can be left allowing the camera to select select between ambient light and flash exposure. Automatic fill-in flash is also available.
Notes
References
- Eastland, Jonathan. Leica R Compendium. (Handbook of the Leica R System) Hove Books, 1995. ISBN 1-897802-07-2
- Handbook of the Leica System. Leitz, 1984.
- Kisselbach, Theo. Leica-R4. Hove Foto Books, 1981. ISBN 0-906447-12-7
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