Re: [Leica] Re: R8

["Robert Bedwell" <rlb@triad.rr.com>]

John:

The R8 is a wonderful camera.  It is extremely well built and the metering
system is excellent.  It is very simple to use and the outcome is of
predictable high quality.  I have owned 2-R8 systems both of which were
plagued with some problems but not the reasons for no longer owning them.
Unfortunately I feel much more comfortable with auto-focus.  I felt stupidly
loyal to the R8 and as a result the quality of my pictures suffered.    I am
not in love with Nikon optics like I was with the R8 but with my NIkon F5 my
images are in sharp focus.  I can now place my thought process on
composition and subject without concern for focus.  This is comforting to
me.  I envy those of you that are at ease focusing the camera yourself.  If
I could I would be back to a Leica slr in a heartbeat.

I wish Leica could resolve this but I certainly don't expect it in the near
future.

Bob


- ----- Original Message -----
From: "John McLeod" <johnmcleod@worldnet.att.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2000 12:18 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: R8


> Sounds like the R8 has its detractors.  To each his own I guess.  I have
> owned the R6, R8, F5, and EOS-1n.  Of the four, the R8 is my favorite.
The
> EOS-1n has wonderful ergonomics indeed, but much in the Canon system seems
> made of plastic (not that this is all bad; plastic IS light and sturdy).
> The F5 is a solidly built workhouse, but I preferred the ergonomics of the
> EOS-1n.  Despite it all, only the R6, R8, and M6 remain.  The R8 is big,
but
> well designed in my mind, with both comfort and just enough information to
> get the job done.  Not to take anything away from the others.  I can
easily
> see how one might prefer any of the above over the others, but the R8
seems
> to me to be a misunderstood beast with its own charms for those willing to
> give it a try.
>
> John McLeod
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jim Brick <jimbrick@photoaccess.com>
> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>;
<leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Friday, February 04, 2000 5:22 PM
> Subject: [Leica] Re: R8
>
>
> > >At 9:34 PM +0100 4/2/00, dominique pellissier wrote:
> > >
> > >>Comment :
> > >>
> > >>The R8 has been unlisted ( "d$B;G;S(Jenc$B;(J in french) from many
> > >stores in France
> > >>(Fnac) and in USA (even B&H !).
> > >>What are the reasons ?
> > >>
> > >>Dominique Pellissier
> >
> > I don't know the answer to that, but Keeble & Shuchat Photography in
Palo
> > Alto CA, one of the largest Leica dealers on the west coast, has two
mint
> > used R8's in boxes with everything. One black, one chrome. They have
been
> > on the shelf for a very long time. The general manager of the store
calls
> > them the "Leica bookends!" Is there a message here?
> >
> > Don't get me wrong. I think the R8 is a great camera. But obviously a
lot
> > of other people don't. They have had, and sold, dozens of used R4's,
R5's,
> > R6's and R7's all the while that the used R8's just sit there. R7's last
> > less than a day.
> >
> > Jim
>