Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/06/23

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: R 6.2
From: "Bill Christensen" <billc@xsite.net>
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 20:34:50 -0500

Andrew,

I second your view on the R6.2.  I have been using for 6 years or so and it
has worked flawlessly.

What is a GMP R Grip?

Bill Christensen
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Andrew Nemeth <azn@nemeng.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 1999 7:25 PM
Subject: [Leica] Re: R 6.2


> "TSL" <eno22@enter.net> wrote:
>
> >It comes in waves, but the R6.2 is a consideration of my Leica yearnings.
> >I've very little experience using this camera, although more with the R6.
> >Is the .2 a big .2?
>
> I have been a R6.2 user for a year now.  Use the camera professionally
> to earn a living and drive a lot of film through it.  Photos &
> impressions
> about it on my 'equipment' page at:  <www.nemeng.com/equipment>
>
> ".2" supposedly indicates that the camera is just a R6 with a bumped upper
> shutter speed of 1/2000 instead of 1/1000.  Rumour also has it that there
> were a few minor interior improvements in the .2 change as well, although
> have come across more people who deny this than agree.
>
> Big bug-bears for me: the 1/250th detension buzz, mirror pre-release
> rather
> than true MLU.
>
> Positives: no f***ing useless auto-exposure modes or programmable
> features; access to R-lens line; battery independant shutter; as far
> as SLR shutters go, quiet (not 'KLACK' but 'clomp'); compact & easy
> to hold, especially if you add a GMP R grip; solid metal construction;
> detatchable winder or motor; retains resale value much better than
> earlier Rs.
>
> "Moore,Andrew" <moorea@andovercontrols.com> added:
>
> >How does the R6.2 compare to the FM2N?
>
> Way more solid and much better finished.  The R6.2 has a built-in
> spotmeter (not that I care as I always incident hand meter).  Alas
> x/sync at 1/100th is much slower (again no probs for me as I haven't
> used a flash in years).
>
> >Some of my concerns: Expense.
>
> Huge problem, especially here in Australia where 2nd hand 'ok'
> condition R6.2's all hover around the $AUS 2800 mark.  Frankly,
> a rip-off when you consider that some of these cameras are over
> 5 years old.
>
> Things are better in the US, where you can pick up a EX/MINT R6.2's
> for @ $US 1100-1400.
>
> But the camera cost is only a minor problem compared to the cost
> of Leica R lenses.  You can buy entire Nikon camera *systems* for
> the price of a single R lens.  (BTW, 'apo' doesn't mean apochromatic,
> but rather it is the sound you make when you hear the price.)
>
> You can save by buying 2nd hand, but you will still end up paying
> more than you would for equivalent *new* N or C glass.
>
> But... what price quality?  These things are built to last and will
> still be going strong in 20 years time.  And image quality is beyond
> question.  In my case, a 16mm lens you can point into spotlights or
> the sun with minimal flaring, or a 100mm macro lens which can
> out-resolve film.
>
> >With the FM2N, a second body and lenses are relatively
> >cheap.  Second body would be mainly for carrying a second type of
> >film, and reducing the amount of lens-swapping when I'm pressed for
> >time.
>
> In my case, I am having a Nikon F2 modified to accept R lenses.
> This will be my 'second body' and have true MLU, is way cheaper
> than a 'spare' R6.2 and just as practical/manual/solid.
>
> Regds,
>
> Andrew Nemeth
>
> VR MEDIA  SOUND  PHOTO  JAVA
> nemeng  Warrimoo   Australia
> www.nemeng.com
>
>
>
>
>