Difference between revisions of "Leica R8–R9"
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An industrial designer was employed and given the brief to make the camera look less like a conventional SLR and more like the flat topped M cameras. | An industrial designer was employed and given the brief to make the camera look less like a conventional SLR and more like the flat topped M cameras. | ||
| − | When the camera was released in 1996 it met a very mixed reception, attracting criticism for its size | + | When the camera was released in 1996 it met a very mixed reception, attracting criticism for its size. The styling was also not universally appreciated, some derisively calling it "The Hunchback of Solms". |
==R8== | ==R8== | ||
=== Metering === | === Metering === | ||
| − | The highly sophisticated metering system allows free choice of metering mode and exposure mode. By contrast, the earlier [[Leica R4-R7|R4-R7]] series | + | The highly sophisticated metering system allows free choice of metering mode and exposure mode. (By contrast, the earlier [[Leica R4-R7|R4-R7]] series lack multi pattern metering and offer only pre-set combinations of metering and exposure.) |
Three metering modes are offered: | Three metering modes are offered: | ||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
* Flash pre exposure measurement | * Flash pre exposure measurement | ||
| − | Mounted on the secondary mirror itself | + | Mounted on the secondary mirror itself is a single cell for selective measurement, and in the camera base is a five-segment cell for integrated measurement with multi-pattern measurement; the use of both giving six measurement areas. Switching of both metering mode and exposure mode is electronic. Flash pre-exposure measurement is provided, allowing the camera's meter to measure manually controlled flash such as studio flash. Pre-flash measurement is always selective and in addition to automatic TTL flash measurement during exposure with suitable automatic flash units which is always full-field using two small light cells either side of the main multi pattern cell. Exposure compensation is available in all exposure modes. |
| − | Program mode can be biassed towards longer or shorter shutter speeds by using the shutter speed dial. Also in program mode automatic flash exposure | + | Program mode can be biassed towards longer or shorter shutter speeds by using the shutter speed dial. Also in program mode automatic flash exposure is fully controlled by the camera: off in daylight conditions, fill in flash with low light, full flash when dark. Normal flash synchronisation speed is 1/250s with suitable flash units. (When using many older professional flash units a slower synchronisation speed must be selected.) |
| − | The viewfinder display | + | The viewfinder display is digital [[LED]], visible in any lighting. |
=== Lens mount changes === | === Lens mount changes === | ||
| − | The same bayonet and stepped cam of earlier R cameras | + | The same bayonet and stepped cam of earlier R cameras is used, but additional electrical contacts called "ROM Contacts" are added to convey lens focal length setting. Any lens fitted with the R stepped cam may be used, but very early lenses fitted only with sloped cams (1 or 2 cam lenses) may damage the ROM contacts and should first be fitted with the stepped cam. |
Lens / camera combinations are as follows: | Lens / camera combinations are as follows: | ||
| Line 82: | Line 82: | ||
X = will not fit<br/> | X = will not fit<br/> | ||
| − | Leica 1 cam, 2 cam, 3 cam, | + | Leica 1 cam, 2 cam, 3 cam, and R stepped cam lenses may be fitted with ROM contacts, but as this entails removal of the original sloped cams they would then be incompatible with the original [[Leicaflex / SL / SL2|Leicaflex]] cameras. This was the first exception to compatibility of Leica reflex lenses. |
| − | === | + | ===The camera in use=== |
| − | After initial excellent reliability, the R8 began suffering regular failures when the winder was finally released. This was eventually traced to | + | After initial excellent reliability, the R8 began suffering regular failures when the winder was finally released. This was eventually traced to subpar contacts and Leica had to recall all cameras for modification. |
| − | The other problem related to the flash speed of 1/250s. This was faster than any previous camera and many existing flash units, especially large professional units, could not be used as, at high power, the flash duration was longer than 1/250s. The instructions were quite clear about the limitation but this did not prevent some " | + | The other problem is related to the flash speed of 1/250s. This was faster than any previous camera and many existing flash units, especially large professional units, could not be used as, at high power, the flash duration was longer than 1/250s. The instructions were quite clear about the limitation but this did not prevent some "knowledgeable" photographers from blaming the camera for their own mistake. Leica's own SF20 and SF24 of course were suitable, as are more recent Metz units. |
| − | + | When fitted with the very compact winder the camera is almost exactly the same bulk and weight of an R4/5/6/7 with winder and grip. | |
| − | |||
| − | Viewfinder information is superb, simply presented and easy to read at a glance. Camera operation is a delight, the mirror pre-release feature is useful and easy to use, and | + | Viewfinder information is superb, simply presented and easy to read at a glance. Camera operation is a delight, the mirror pre-release feature is useful and easy to use, and flash pre-exposure measurement is useful for those using manual flash. |
| − | + | The 1/250s flash speed is very useful for daylight fill-in flash. | |
| − | + | In order to allow use when wearing glasses the viewfinder image size is significantly reduced. For other people, the R4 view is better. Also, the contoured body is not so secure to hold as the R4 with winder and grip. | |
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | <references /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Leica R mount]] | ||
Revision as of 13:37, 8 January 2012
About 1990 Leica management decided to break away from the Minolta co-developed cameras and design a completely new replacement in house.
A new team of developers were put on the project and some of their design briefs were:
- A completely new design with no links to previous models
- Best possible ease of use especially in manual control
- Maximise benefits of electronic control
An industrial designer was employed and given the brief to make the camera look less like a conventional SLR and more like the flat topped M cameras.
When the camera was released in 1996 it met a very mixed reception, attracting criticism for its size. The styling was also not universally appreciated, some derisively calling it "The Hunchback of Solms".
R8
Metering
The highly sophisticated metering system allows free choice of metering mode and exposure mode. (By contrast, the earlier R4-R7 series lack multi pattern metering and offer only pre-set combinations of metering and exposure.)
Three metering modes are offered:
- Integrated centre weighted
- Selective
- Multi pattern (Matrix)
and five exposure modes:
- Manual
- Aperture priority semi automatic
- Shutter priority semi automatic
- Program fully automatic
- Flash pre exposure measurement
Mounted on the secondary mirror itself is a single cell for selective measurement, and in the camera base is a five-segment cell for integrated measurement with multi-pattern measurement; the use of both giving six measurement areas. Switching of both metering mode and exposure mode is electronic. Flash pre-exposure measurement is provided, allowing the camera's meter to measure manually controlled flash such as studio flash. Pre-flash measurement is always selective and in addition to automatic TTL flash measurement during exposure with suitable automatic flash units which is always full-field using two small light cells either side of the main multi pattern cell. Exposure compensation is available in all exposure modes.
Program mode can be biassed towards longer or shorter shutter speeds by using the shutter speed dial. Also in program mode automatic flash exposure is fully controlled by the camera: off in daylight conditions, fill in flash with low light, full flash when dark. Normal flash synchronisation speed is 1/250s with suitable flash units. (When using many older professional flash units a slower synchronisation speed must be selected.)
The viewfinder display is digital LED, visible in any lighting.
Lens mount changes
The same bayonet and stepped cam of earlier R cameras is used, but additional electrical contacts called "ROM Contacts" are added to convey lens focal length setting. Any lens fitted with the R stepped cam may be used, but very early lenses fitted only with sloped cams (1 or 2 cam lenses) may damage the ROM contacts and should first be fitted with the stepped cam.
Lens / camera combinations are as follows:
| Leicaflex | SL/SL2 | R3-R7 | R8-R9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Cam | Y | S | S | S! |
| 2 Cam | Y | Y | S | S! |
| 3 Cam | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| R Only | X | X | Y | Y |
| ROM | X | X | Y | Y+ |
Y = full metering
Y+ = full metering + focal length data
S = stop down metering
S! = stop down metering, possible damage to camera contacts
X = will not fit
Leica 1 cam, 2 cam, 3 cam, and R stepped cam lenses may be fitted with ROM contacts, but as this entails removal of the original sloped cams they would then be incompatible with the original Leicaflex cameras. This was the first exception to compatibility of Leica reflex lenses.
The camera in use
After initial excellent reliability, the R8 began suffering regular failures when the winder was finally released. This was eventually traced to subpar contacts and Leica had to recall all cameras for modification.
The other problem is related to the flash speed of 1/250s. This was faster than any previous camera and many existing flash units, especially large professional units, could not be used as, at high power, the flash duration was longer than 1/250s. The instructions were quite clear about the limitation but this did not prevent some "knowledgeable" photographers from blaming the camera for their own mistake. Leica's own SF20 and SF24 of course were suitable, as are more recent Metz units.
When fitted with the very compact winder the camera is almost exactly the same bulk and weight of an R4/5/6/7 with winder and grip.
Viewfinder information is superb, simply presented and easy to read at a glance. Camera operation is a delight, the mirror pre-release feature is useful and easy to use, and flash pre-exposure measurement is useful for those using manual flash.
The 1/250s flash speed is very useful for daylight fill-in flash.
In order to allow use when wearing glasses the viewfinder image size is significantly reduced. For other people, the R4 view is better. Also, the contoured body is not so secure to hold as the R4 with winder and grip.
