Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/09

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Subject: Re: [Leica] R8 motor-winder vs. drive (again)
From: Andrew Schroter <schroter@optonline.net>
Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2001 09:12:14 -0700
References: <NBBBIDNIGLFOKNLJCPLHCEONGDAA.ddh@home.com>

I've been using the R8 Motor Drive for about a year.  I don't even think
about it's weight when I'm taking a photo.  The weight is not intrusive to
me at all.
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Honemann" <ddh@home.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 10:27 PM
Subject: [Leica] R8 motor-winder vs. drive (again)


> Okay, I had all but decided that the motor-winder was my choice--as I much
> prefer the size, weight and handling with the winder as opposed to the
> bulkier drive--but then I read two posts that have me concerned:
>
> 1. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> Occasionally (yes, only occasionally) unacceptably slow shutter reaction
> when used without motor-drive - unlike all other cameras I've used, the R8
> doesn't always release it's shutter when (or before) the button reaches
the
> bottom. This is what happens: you press the shutter release, you feel (and
> hear) the button hit the bottom of it's travel, then after a fraction of a
> second, I'd say around 0.2 seconds, the shutter fires. I've missed more
than
> a few potentially great shots because of this. All is well when either one
> of the shutter release buttons on the motor-drive is used instead.
> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> Source:
> http://www.photographyreview.com/reviews/35mm_cameras/product_4918.asp
>
> 2. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> The winder on the R8 will eventually drive you mad they are so slow to
> re-act and at best only a lazymans film advance.  Trust me if you get the
> winder,you'll become so frustrated you'll end up buying the motor. [...]
> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> Source: our own unimpeachable Ted Grant, in a LEG msg dated 2/7/01.
>
> Based on these two comments, I'm wondering if getting the motor-winder,
> despite the better ergonomics (in my view) and smaller footprint/weight,
> isn't a mistake for the R8.  I find slow reaction or shutter lag to be a
> vice I'd rather not suffer in my SLR (in fact, it seems surprising for a
> camera of this class).
>
> Anyone else care to weigh in on one side or the other?  Have others
> experienced this slow shutter reaction time in using the R8?
>
> Dan
>
>
>

In reply to: Message from "Dan Honemann" <ddh@home.com> ([Leica] R8 motor-winder vs. drive (again))