Re: [Leica] Re: R8 design, Erwins design review

[John McLeod <johnmcleod@worldnet.att.net>]

The R8 is an unusual camera.  I can usually tell if I'm going to like a
camera within the first 10 seconds.  Not with the R8.  I actually hated it
when I first tried it in a store -- too bulky, chunky, heavy, clumsy.  I
bought an F5.  Nice camera, if you want and need all the options.  Over
time, I found I was spending too much time thinking about and switching
between Dynamic Focus and regular focus, Matrix and Integral metering,
manual focus and AF, CF4 On and CF4 Off.  Options are fine, but no panacea.

I finally sold the F5 got an R8.  Couldn't be happier.  The camera feels
GREAT in my hands now and I feel as if I have regained control.  As Erwin
suggests, it was made for manual operation.  If you want to focus the lens
manually and set the aperture and shutter speed yourself, you should give
the R8 a try.  Sure, it has some auto options too, for quick shooting
situations.  But most of the time, my pictures are better when I'm in
control.  The R8 was made for this.  It's not better than an F5, just
different.

John McLeod

- ----------
From: tedgrant@islandnet.com (Ted Grant)
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us 
Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: R8 design, Erwins design review 
Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 07:32:18 +0100 

Christian wrote:

>Seems Mr. Giugiaro knows some things Mr. Meinzer should learn. The R8
>design is awfull, the most ugliest piece of photographic equipment I've
>ever seen. The R8 design was in fact the reason I bought an F5
>- and now have to build up an N equipment (I didn't wanted).


Hi Christian,

gee what were you drinking when you made those decisions, old fixer? :)

I respect other folks feelings about the R8 and in your case I can only
say, "pity!" :) Fortunately mine are the opposite to yours, as I'm sure
many other R8 users. It really isn't bad enough to switch to the "N" camera
and throw away all that wonderful Leica glass.

You sure it wasn't old developer instead of fix? :)

ted