WAJDA PHOTO - Leica R8 with 50mm Lens

WAJDA PHOTO - Leica R8 with 50mm Lens
NOTE: I got those numbers wrong, I asked if they would do $400 for both and effectively throw in the Harrison tent and they said yes. Still a sweet deal.
Support is appreciated. Please visit SupportKenneth.com to make a contribution. Thank you.
Expect to see new videos every Saturday.
Street View: ColoradoFaces.com
Daily Photography Blog Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
My Commercial Photography site: KennethWajdaPhotographer.com
6x6 Blog: 6x6portraits.wordpress.com
RoyStryker: roystryker.com

[@davidjb9199]

Just recently acquired an R8 and am now waiting for some film to be developed and scans sent my way. I hesitated with this purchase because of all the talk about the "hunchback" but upon receiving it and shooting it I find the size not bad at all and both in feel and actual dimensions smaller than my F4. You don't hear anyone talking about an F4 being too big. I'll put the Canon T-90 in there too. All fairly heavy, but as you said I find the heft reassuring that I have my hands on a solid piece of pro gear. Anyone calling this too big is likely comparing it to the other R series bodies and maybe even the rangefinders. I have never been a fan of dials on the left side on the body, especially for turning the camera off and on. But the way Leica did it on the R8 is the easiest I have ever used. It is quickly becoming second nature for me to flip the camera on since it just falls so naturally to my left thumb. The viewfinder, when combined with Summicron glass is probably the best manual focus viewfinder experience I have ever had. Better than the R7, I think. The film advance is one of the smoothest and easiest to operate, second only to the Nikon F3 in my experience. Wish I had gotten a deal like you did, but at least I got a refurbished unit which looks like new. Looking forward to shooting a lot more with it.

[@angloitalo]

I've had an R8 for quite a while now. I agree on you assesments. A Leica Rep once told me that Leica Camera was very proud of the R8. The draw for me was that it had features that other manufacturers had for decades.such as 1/250th of a second flash sync. The view finder is one of the brightest ever for a film SLR. Some critics have said that the R9 should have been called the R8.2. One improvement was a lock button for the shutter speed dial. The body's wedge shape is reminiscent to me of the Exacta bodies. I also have a winder for it which I really don't use anymore. There was also a 10mp digital back, the DMR availablle for a few thousand dollars :-) Keep those fine videos coming.

[@kennethwajda]

Will do. Thanks for the comment. Good info!

[@Hunter-nu7uw]

Wow! What a bargain at $180. The design and function of the R8 and R9 was transformational…ahead of its time. Love the fact that it accepts all the previous 3 cam R lenses without electronic links and still functions flawlessly. Mine came with the motor drive, another beautiful creation from the Leica artisans, but like you, I don’t use it. Now you can search for a digital back. Thanks for sharing.

[@barthonhoff5547]

I got my R8 with motor drive for 499 euro.

[@kennethwajda]

Nice. You're all set. Thanks!

[@stevenjb.9275]

I purchased an R4s with 50mm back in the day. The camera was assembled in Portugal and sent to Leica Germany for final inspection before sale. My understanding is that these cameras were a collaboration with Minolta.

[@kennethwajda]

R3 and R4 were.

[@nickcr3919]

R3,R4 were.R8 was created and manufactured in Germany by Leica.

[@user-fw2gb5cl5o]

To quote ABBA: “Mamma mia, here I go again My my, how can I resist you?” Often I’ve thought about the R8 as a replacement for my Canon EOS 7E (which I haven’t used in over 10 years)

[@kennethwajda]

It's a good one if you find one at a deal.

[@robertmiller5648]

What local camera store carries used equipment like the R8? I always enjoy giving my business to places like that.

[@kennethwajda]

Cameraworks in Colorado Springs. Englewood Camera in Denver. Mike's Camera sometimes has used gear.

[@BeingWolfy]

Thank you, Kenneth! How does the R8 compare to the R6.2 and Nikon F3 in terms of weight, build quality, and smoothness of operation (ie. film advance smoothness)? I think you have, or had, all three bodies. I have two F3's but I'm always drawn to the Leica R slrs. Hope you're doing well! I miss the weekly photo game.

[@kennethwajda]

F3's are just as good. I like the F3 better than the R6.2. I like the R8 and F3 equally. All good build and no motors needed. I miss it too, it was good!

[@BeingWolfy]

@@kennethwajda - Thanks Kenneth. I appreciate your insight on that. It'll help stop my GAS for the R6.2. ;-)

[@kennethwajda]

@@BeingWolfy Yeah, you're not missing anything.