Leica R8
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The Leica R8 is a manual focus 35 mm single-lens reflex camera produced by the German firm of Leica as part of their R series of cameras. Development began in 1990:[1] the camera was introduced at the 1996 Photokina trade show,[2] and was succeeded by the similar Leica R9 in 2002.[2].
The R8 can be fitted with the Digital Modul R and used as a digital camera; it and the R9 are (as of 2006) the only 35 mm SLRs that take a user-installable digital back. It was the first R series camera to have no association with Minolta, and was a completely Leica design; it was stylistically a clean break from the past as well.
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[edit] Design
Industrial designer Manfred Meinzer was chiefly responsible for the R8 design, along with a team of designers largely new to Leica or drawn from outside; the previous Leica design department had been largely dismantled.[3]
A key design goal was to evoke the Leica M and its smooth top-plate;[1] instead of a raised pentaprism as in previous R series cameras, the R8 has sloped "shoulders" that blend almost seamlessly into the pentaprism housing. The shape is strongly asymmetrical, especially in plan view, with a bulged right handgrip and smaller, tapered left-hand side.
Another goal was to improve the ergonomics and to place controls so they could be easily reached and operated without removing the eye from the viewfinder.[1] Although the R8 is capable of fully automated exposure and (with the addition of the integrally-styled motor drive or winder) automated film transport, a major design goal was that the camera be easy to operate in fully manual mode, since many Leica customers prefer this. In this it differs strongly from other modern SLR designs, which are designed primarily for automatic operation. The top control wheels are sunken into the top plate, with knurled edges protruding at the front where they can easily be turned by hand.
The R8 is substantially larger and heavier than previous R series cameras, being about a third heavier at 890 g than the R7. This is partly explained by being built to take and balance the heavier zoom lenses in the Leica R lens range.
The styling of the R8 proved controversial. Some photographers consider it ugly, and dub it the "Hunchback of Solms"[4] (Solms is the German town where Leica is headquartered). The size and bulk of the camera see a lot of criticism. Other photographers consider the design attractive and modern, and an improvement on the generic style of previous R cameras.[citation needed]
[edit] Technical information
The R8 was without doubt the most complex camera Leica had ever constructed. It contained extensive electronics, despite its manual operation bias, and in addition was built in a very modular fashion to integrate seamlessly with motor drive units and new backs such as the Digital Modul R.
[edit] Shutter
The shutter used is a Copal vertically running metal-leaf unit[1] capable of speeds between 1/8000 and 32 seconds steplessly in automatic modes, or to 16 seconds in half-stop steps in manual mode, as well as Bulb. The flash X-sync speed is 1/250 sec.
The shutter release is in the center of the shutter-speed dial, and is threaded for a cable release. The optional Motor-Drive gives additional front and vertical-grip releases.
[edit] Metering
[edit] Accessories
Leica sell a number of dedicated accessories for the R8 and R9. In addition to the Digital Modul R, these comprise the following:[5]
- Motor-Winder R8/R9: gives powered film transport (loading/advance/rewind) and continuous 2 frames/sec shooting. It affixes to the camera's base, adding 20 mm in height, and replaces the right handgrip as well, this containing the two CR-123 lithium batteries it uses. A switch enables leader-out rewinds. An additional battery pack may be affixed to the base for extended use.[6]
- Motor-Drive R8/R9: like the Motor-Winder, but larger and gives continuous 4.5 frames/sec shooting in addition to single-shot and 2 frames/sec. It provides additional shutter releases - on the handgrip and on the vertical grip on the base. Enables three-shot auto-bracketing of exposure in 0.5 or 1 EV increments. [7]
- Remote Control R8/R9: an electronic unit that attaches to either the Motor Winder or the Motor Drive; it cannot be connected to the bare camera. In addition to triggering the shutter, the Remote Control can turn the camera on or off, control mode and exposure, control auto-bracketing, and can function as an intervalometer triggering at rates between one per second and one every 24 hours. It comes with a 5 metre cord and can be fitted with up to 4 25 metre extension cords for a maximum length of 105 metres.
- Electric trigger switches: If the functionality of the Remote Control is not needed and all that is required is to trip the shutter, two electric trigger switches are available; one with a 5 metre cord that can also take extension cords, and one with a 0.3 metre cord for shake-free trigger release on a tripod.
- SF 24D flash: Leica's dedicated flash unit enables camera-controlled TTL flash output on the R8 and R9. Covers the field of view of 35–85 mm lenses (with diffusers, 24–135 mm.
- Focusing screens: the standard focusing screen, ground-glass with split-image and microprism collar, can be replaced by any of five other screens for specialised tasks. For the Digital Modul R, an additional set of six screens marked with the Modul R's sensor crop area can be substituted.
- Other accessories from Leica include a rubber eyecup, right-angle finder, diopter correction lenses, cases, straps, tripods, cable releases etc.
[edit] Specifications
| Camera type | 35 mm single-lens reflex |
|---|---|
| Lens mount | Leica R bayonet with additional electrical contacts ("ROM contacts"). |
| Operating modes | Manual, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Program, and Flash. |
| Metering methods | Selective (7mm central area), 6-element matrix, center-weighted, and flash TTL center-weighted |
| Exposure lock | By light press on shutter release |
| Exposure compensation | Plus or minus three stops in half-stop increments, using lever on left side of the eyepiece |
| Film speed range | Automatic DX coding ISO 25 through 5000; manual ISO 6 through 12,800 |
| Metering range | 0.007–125,000 cd/m³ (EV -4 through EV 20) |
| Electrical power | 6 volts (2 × CR2 lithium battery) |
| Flash synchronisation | Hotshoe center contact or external synch socket; first or second curtain sync, as well as strobe (multiple flashes)View |
| Flash X-sync | 1/250 second or slower |
| TTL flash metering compatibility | Leica dedicated units and Metz units with Metz SCA 3501 adapter |
| Viewfinder coverage | 93% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.75× with 50 mm lens |
| Self timer | 2 sec or 12 sec |
| Mirror pre-release | Selectable via switch; first shutter release press activates mirror, second activates shutter |
| Frame counter | In viewfinder and on rear cover LCD |
| Multiple exposures | Unlimited, with multiple exposure switch on body |
| Construction | Cast zinc top plate, aluminum frame, synthetic base, rubber bottom |
| Dimensions | Width: 158 mm; Height: 101 mm; Depth: 62 mm |
| Weight | 890 g |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Erwin Puts. Leica R8 Design. Photosite.
- ^ a b Leica Product Timeline. Leica Camera AG.
- ^ Manfred Meinzer Industrial Design. MM-designed products from LEICA Camera AG.
- ^ Mike Johnston. Has Leica Lost It?.
- ^ Leica Camera AG. R System Accessories.
- ^ Leica Camera AG. Leica Motor-Winder R8/R9.
- ^ Leica Camera AG. Leica Motor-Drive R8/R9.
- ^ Leica Camera AG. Leica R8 User Manual.
