Leica R Series

In an earlier post (link) I declared my love for cameras and intent to blog about them. Refinishing the basement got in the way (as recent posts demonstrate), but that project is largely done and it’s time to refocus (ba dum dum).

I have a diverse collection; my Leica R-Mount Series is my favorite series.

I also have a “Leicaflex SL”, which essentially maps to a Leica 2. But to complete the set I’ll need to add a Leicaflex, Leicaflex SL2, R7, and R9. Of course there are silver versions, and intermediate versions (R4, R6.2, …) that can easily overfill my shelves, so I’ll stick to the Leicaflex, R7, and R9 in my searching.

I recently shot a roll of Ektachrome-100 with the R8 using my Vario-Elmar 1:3.5/35-70 and Elmarit 1:2.8/180 Wetzlar lenses (album is HERE). I used to shoot a LOT of film, but my recent R8 outing was the first time in many years. Yes, I was oddly nervous, but started to have fun after the first few shots. Manual focusing took some time but the split-screen made it doable. The biggest realization, however, is that film is a lot less forgiving with exposure mistakes. With digital you can pull the details out of bright and dark areas (if not too extreme), but with film you get what you get. So despite best guesses at exposure compensation while shooting, some of the shots are hot (and will stay that way), but hey: it’s all about re-learning what works and how to adjust. I also found myself using aperture-mode (rather than full program) so I’d have more depth-of-field control. And sure, you don’t get the Metadata (location, shooting details), but you can add that manually later.

The R6 was introduced in 1987 as a fully manual camera once the Leicaflex SL was discontinued. The battery only controls an internal light-meter; all other functions are mechanical (which is amazing, right?). My Sumicron 1:2/50mm is my fastest lens (mounted on the R5 in the photo), and it’s time to wake them both up from their hibernation for my next shoot.

The R series was launched in 1964 as Leica’s attempt to catch up with interchangeable lens SLRs from Pentax, Nikon, etc. But Leica was late to the party so they partnered with Minolta on the R3-R7 to improve their metering and exposure control. The R-Series never supported auto-focus; the line was scrapped after the R9 since it was no longer competitive. Still, they’re Leica! The optics, name, and sensational mechanical click! make it exciting to collect and shoot with.

Over the years Leica also updated the mechanical ‘cam’ connections in the lens that convey aperture information to the body. So some lenses will work with the R3 – R9 only, others will also work with the pre-R3 models, and some will electrically send more detailed exposure details to the R8 and R9. It can get complicated; luckily there are good online resources for figuring it all out (see links, below)!

I’ll update with the R6 album once it’s ready. For now, keep on clicking!

Some good resources:

• Wikipedia: Leica R Bayonet
• apotelyt: Leica R-system cameras
• apotelyt: Leica R-System Mount
• CollectiBlend: Leitz (Leica) Lenses