Happy new year to all,

A friend of mine offered me a somewhat intriguing deal and I wanted to get your opinions. He offered me a brand new R6.2 for my mint Leica M6. I have two other M bodies and was thinking of exploring the R system. What do you folks think of such a deal and what do you R people think of the R6.2? Thanks in advance.

Regards, Tom G

-- Tom Gallagher (tgallagher10@yahoo.com), January 02, 2002

Answers

Body for body, a good deal. The R6.2 is my preference of Leica SLR bodies, probably because it relates so closely to the nature of the M6. However, think also about the additional expense of R lenses you'll need. A simple 50mm Summicron will be your impulse, and would serve you well, but it really just duplicates what you probably already have in the M outfit. Think instead about how to take advantage of the R's strengths over the M - notably longer lenses, macro, and zooms - and different subject matter. There comes the extra expense - worth it in my opinion for my type of photography.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), January 02, 2002.

Tom,

My preference in Leica R cameras leans strongly to the R8 for its ergonomic design and combination of electronic features. BUT you might like the R6.2 because it is fully mechanical like your M cameras. (I have heard an unconfirmed rumor that Leica has discontinued manufacture of the R6.2 camera.) As in many other facets of Leica ownership, it depends on shooting style, lenses used, and personal choice.

If you obtain an R camera, you will surely want several lenses for it. Is this in your plans also? The R lenses are superb but can be pricey unless you buy used versions. Good luck with your decision. LB

-- Luther Berry (lberrytx@aol.com), January 02, 2002.

To answer Luther's question. My plan is to purchase a couple of longer R lenses to compliment my M system, as Ken mentioned. In my opinion the M system is really best suited for short focal length lenses.

Best, Tom

-- Tom Gallagher (tgallagher10@Yahoo.com), January 02, 2002.

Tom:

i have the r6.2. it is a great camera. it is a solid all mechanical camera that is the closest R series camera to your m6. it is smaller than the R8 which is an electronic camera. dollar wise the trade appears to be a good one unless your m6 is a collector model. There are good deal out there on used leica lenses. used R lenses are generally less than used m lenses. unfortunately you just end up buying more lenses and still spending the same amount.

i think you should consider making the trade and open up to some new areas. that the m6 will not cover. good values can be found in 90mm (portrait) and 180mm (telephoto) and 400mm (birds etc.) while i like shooting the m for wide angle and normal, i never felt as comfortable shooting a 90mm with an m3 as i do shooting with an R6.2. others may feel diferently though.

-- greg mason (gmason1661@aol.com), January 02, 2002.

Value-wise the deal's on your side as a "brand-new" R6.2 sells for quite a bit more than a "mint" M6 non-TTL. I've got a couple R6.2's as well as an R6 and they're very nice cameras, the shutters are a lot more accurate than the M6's. Check the DOF stopdown lever to make sure it isn't sticky, that's one of the R6.2's very few sore spots.

Economically, however, you could get an R5 or R-E (or a Doug Herr Special, an SL and have it CLA'd) and buy a nice 90/2 or 1st-version 180/2.8 or 250/4 for the same or less than you could sell your mint M6 for. Or you could get a Nikon FM2n and all three: 85,180 and 300mm lenses for the same money. Since you've got 2 other M bodies you don't really sacrifice anything either way.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 02, 2002.

Tom,

You missed out the most important information! What colour is the R6.2? ;-)

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), January 02, 2002.

I would opt for the black over the chrome as all the lenses are black.

-- Bob Haight (rhaigh5748@aol.com), January 03, 2002.

Will your friend let you borrow the R body and lens for a trial run? This is really a personal decision. Users tend to be quite polarized over pre R8 bodies. I was thrilled with the R6.2's solid mechanical contruction so I bought one but in the end did not like the handling nor the motor and winder. I thought mirror bounced was excessive, the finder at least a stop dimmer than the R8 but a Maxwell screen could have fixed that. I thought the R4 was more user friendly. Many others apparently loves it so your mileage may vary.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), January 03, 2002.

I see the Leica bug has bitten you, in my opinion it worths give it a try, you now know what the M system can offer you and to get into the thelephoto world you must go into SLR, and for sure Leica is a fine option; my best wishes and the best to you in this new year my friend.

Regards,Roberto

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), January 03, 2002.