Leica R8 in Use

[Lazza]

Used the R8 for the first time proper on Sunday for still shots in the paddock @ Prescott Hill Bugatti Owners club day and must say how impressed I am with the camera's handling ... despite it's bulk & weight.

Now I had the Leica around my neck all morning on the standard strap and not a hint of an ache or pain yet in the afternoon using my Nikon D200 to capture moving cars up the hill I felt the weight of it almost as soon as putting the camera around my neck and with the grip on it I would have said both cameras then weighed about the same too. Ergonomics aiding balance of the weight with the Leica?

The viewfinder and focusing accuracy alone when using the Summicron 50mm was a joy (far better than *any* Nikon SLR I've used and I've used most made) and I took a few close up shots of car grilles/badges and I just know how sharp they will be on Velvia before even processing them.

Thinking I've made the right choice despite knowing how much my next lens purchase is going to cost me. {gulp}

[topoxforddoc]

Great day on Sunday at Prescott! Just loved the sight and sound of Senna's Lotus Renault. The R8/9 are really great to use. About the same weight as an EOS 1Ds when attached to a DMR. The R9/DMR is pretty good at catching moving cars too as the VF is excellent. Some of the R glass is at bargain (for Leica) prices at the moment.

Charlie

[parisian]

The R8 is no lightweight but is so well balanced with the majority of lenses on it that combined with an Op/tech strap it is hardly noticeable.
Mind you, these straps are pretty good, I believe that Huw managed the Matterhorn with a Linhof round his neck using one of them
I still think that the 8/9 are the most aesthetically pleasing film SLRs ever made and probably top the list for useful functionality too.
The screen is to die for and the sound - just a single clunk, no rattles or clatters is wonderful.
The only thing that bothered me at first was the gearing on the film rewind. It feels so light that I worried that the film hadn't been taken up on loading; however the little 'tell-tale' on the body shows the film moving and all is well.

[Benchista]

I still think that the 8/9 are the most aesthetically pleasing film SLRs ever made

Ah, now there I really have to disagree with you. Had you said "least" I would've tended to agree.

[parisian]

Sleek and sexy like a virginal nymphet.
Now, having forgotten what one of those feels like,(must ask Clive!)I am taking the word of others here you understand

[Lazza]

Great day on Sunday at Prescott! Just loved the sight and sound of Senna's Lotus Renault.

Wasn't it just?

First time for me there and it is truly a beautiful spot alone, never mind the motorsport on top of it.

Another meeting there next month and I will definitely be a regular there from now on, one of the very best days out I have had for many a year.

[Lazza]

The only thing that bothered me at first was the gearing on the film rewind. It feels so light that I worried that the film hadn't been taken up on loading; however the little 'tell-tale' on the body shows the film moving and all is well.

Yes, that's still bothering me after running through a couple of films now. Worst for me though is the rewind as it's so quiet even with your ear to the film door it's almost impossible to tell when the film leader is detached from the spool, and I don't like winding the leader back into the cannister as I process my own BW. Maybe I should invest in a stethoscope to listen on rewind? lol

[parisian]

You will have to develop the habit of watching the tiny window that indicates film movement. Strange but it DOES take some getting used to. Wind on or off, they are both so silky smooth compared to others that it seems surreal.
Wonderful.

[DaveS]

When I was shooting 35m B&W I always rewound into the canister for two reasons, one you can't accidentally re-use the film you've just shot (Don't laugh, I have done it!), and two, the film makes two trips past the light-trap rather than three. I used to use a bottle opener to open the canisters in the dark-room.
Dave

[huwevans]

Mind you, these straps are pretty good, I believe that Huw managed the Matterhorn with a Linhof round his neck using one of them

To be accurate, I made Sherpa McCandless carry the Linhof. Well, he was carrying everything else, so it wouldn't have made much difference.

And those Optech straps really do spread the load much better than ordinary straps. A good thing too, because it used to fair tire me out, watching him struggle with the weight of all my gear. I had to send him back down the mountain for an extra bacon butty supply so I could recover my strength on a few occasions.

[Benchista]

When I was shooting 35m B&W I always rewound into the canister for two reasons, one you can't accidentally re-use the film you've just shot (Don't laugh, I have done it!), and two, the film makes two trips past the light-trap rather than three. I used to use a bottle opener to open the canisters in the dark-room.
Dave

My practice, too.

[parisian]

Mind you, these straps are pretty good, I believe that Huw managed the Matterhorn with a Linhof round his neck using one of them

To be accurate, I made Sherpa McCandless carry the Linhof. Well, he was carrying everything else, so it wouldn't have made much difference.

And those Optech straps really do spread the load much better than ordinary straps. A good thing too, because it used to fair tire me out, watching him struggle with the weight of all my gear. I had to send him back down the mountain for an extra bacon butty supply so I could recover my strength on a few occasions.

Bloody brilliant, best laugh of the week. Thanks Huw

[Lazza]

I had to send him back down the mountain for an extra bacon butty supply so I could recover my strength on a few occasions.

Was he still carrying the Linhof whilst he went and fetched said butty?

[huwevans]

You must be kidding - I'd never have seen the light-fingered git again!

Nope, I have to keep him on a tight rein, so to speak. He only comes along at all because I threatened to send the daffodil photograph to the press!