michael_ginex1

<p>Sounds high to me. I'd check out the "Completed Items" first before jumping in to this. Most M3's listed as sold are within the 500-1000 range some with Summicron's a little higher. Also review this guy's feedback...it isn't 100% positive.</p>

<p>These issues with developing B&W can be avoided by developing the film yourself. It isn't as difficult as it may seem and with a little practice you can see your finished negatives in less than a couple of hours and ready for scanning. I still shoot B&W with my M Leica's even though most of my color work is digital. Developing myself gives me greater control and even though it takes a little more time I still find it enjoyable. Just a suggestion. </p>

<p>You're only half an hour away from the Leica service center in Allendale, New Jersey. I would drive the camera up to them or send them the camera via insured mail along with a description of the problem and wait for an estimate from them. A CLA would most likely be included. My last repair to my 2.8/280 Telyt (a stiff focus ring) cost $475, but they repaired my R9 at no charge (the function wheel popped off). I used them on two prior occasions and was only disappointed on one (my 2.5/12.5cm Hektor came back with oil on the blades. It functions flawlessly, however, so I never complained.</p>

<p>Before I got the DMR for my R8 and R9, I shot film exclusively using either my R or M gear. I'd scan the negs on a Minolta Dimage scanner that provided the option of 5400 dpi that resulted in a 220MB+- TIFF file. The following is a jpg of a photo taken using the M3 and Visoflex III mounted on a 5.6/560 Telyt using Kodak Ultra 100:</p><div></div>

<p>Sorry for the late reply....in addition to the stated differences in the prior posts, the one that I found very useful is that the R9 allows for High Speed Flash Synch when using my dedicated Metz flash and proper SCA Adapter (3502). The R8 does not.</p>

<p>Excellent explanation, Doug, and the photo one of my favorites in your portfolio. </p>

<p>A black paint Leicaflex Standard, version 2, minus the black paint.</p><div></div>

<p>The Leicaflex standard has a microprism center circle that exaggerates whether in or out of focus. The entire field of view is focused at the same time but when the plane of focus is reached the image within the microprism area "snaps" into focus. I find this invaluable considering my less than optimum eyesight. The exceptional VF brightness of the standard is unmatchable, with the R8 or R9 a close second, IMHO.</p>

<p>Hey Jeff, no one here challenging your opinions, just a few guys enjoying the conversation and interested in the subject.</p>

<p>FWIW, I have always found the 12.5cm f2.5 Hektor perfect for most of my indoor portrait work. It is a Visoflex lens and I use it with either the M3 or M6 with wonderful results because it allows me to frame accurately when close up. It has a beautiful slightly soft focus at three feet with the background creamy smooth when wide open. My only nit with this rig is the hefty weight when handheld but the results never disappoint. A beautiful, fast portrait lens.</p>

<p>HB USA politely let me know they don't repair them anymore. The film advance crank rotates freely without tensioning the shutter mechanism. Thanks for the lead Anthony.</p>

<p> Since nobody repairs these bodies anymore I have no option left than to try to do it myself, as crazy a thought as that may be. I've sought help from a few good folks here and received some useful info but really need the factory manual. Can anyone recommend a potential source other than HB USA which I've already emailed and am waiting for a reply? I really find it hard to give up on this camera.</p>

<p>Whatever,whenever! If I don't have to sell a kidney to get one, I'm in.</p>

<p>Thanks for the heads up, John.</p>

<p>>The market for what you guys are talking about -- a new dslr for Leica R lenses -- is about you two guys and maybe a hundred other people.</p>

<p>Oh...I thought there were more than 102 people who own Leica R glass.</p>

<p>I just thought that they might like to have a digital body that was minimally affordable, by Leica, that produced the image quality of the DMR. If Leica made a digital body at the same price point as the 5D mkII I think the choice most of us would make wouldn't surprise anyone. IMHO Solms made a big mistake cancelling the R10 project. I think a lot of Leica shooters, myself included, were very disappointed.</p>

 

<p>Wouldn't it be great if we Leica R shooters had a selection of affordable Leica R digital bodies to choose from. One DMR me put me in the doghouse but a second DMR as a backup would be grounds for divorce. If Solms can put out the D-Lux line why not a digital body at a similar price point for an R mount body? I'd like to hear some opinions on this. </p>

<p>I've never had a problem with my R8...SN2465XXX...now owned for over 5 years and purchased used. Have since bought an R9 and Digital Modul-R and use the R8 as a backup body as it too accepts the digital back. The only reason I bought the R9 was for the ability to shoot with high speed flash synchronization (HSS) which the R8 cannot. I've had only minor exterior (yet costly) repairs to the R9 but none to the R8. It is one of the most robust and solidly built Leica's I own...in either M or R configuration. </p>

<p>I have found Portra 400NC to be quite grainy, especially if processing isn't done very carefully re temps, times and agitation. It also tends to be less contrasty than, say, the Kodak UC films. However , the photo does look underexposed by about a half a stop. Whether the scanner is at fault or the camera meter remains subject to further experimentation IMO.</p>

<p>Ditto what John said. Also, I would specifically recommend you purchase the Leica Pocket Book currently available on Amazon for around $30. It describes the different versions of each lens, it's characteristics, both pro and con, and even provides MTF charts for comparison. An excellent reference for making a decision as to which lens suits your individual purposes. No prices are given.</p>

<p>Dave,<br>

Keep the R8 and get a DMR for it...if you can find a used one. There may be one coming up on Fred Miranda's site soon but the guy is selling it with an R8 and a few other accessories..otherwise I would buy it myself as a backup to mine. I suspect the cost is probably over the top for you (probably over 4K) but if you can manage it you'll have one of the best 10mp digital outfits out there (and still be able to shoot film).</p>

<p>I find the extra weight of the lens adds to handheld stability. I guess it's a personal thing. The one negative for me is that the lens hood slightly obscures the viewfinder image in the lower right hand corner, which can interfere somewhat when framing the shot. However, at 5.6 this lens is an exceptional performer, so I can live with it.</p>

<p>Jonathan,<br>

Your love of film is equally shared by myself. I have both digital and film gear. I've managed to accumulate over the past nine years a fair collection of the stuff and still get as excited as a kid with a new toy when I use a lens/body combination that I haven't used in a while. Developing the film myself and the active darkroom work is icing on the cake. Digital with the DMR/R9 is certainly my first choice for wildlife but I find using a film loaded M6, Bessa or Hassie still a great source of pleasure.</p>

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<p>I like that lens , too, Alex. I'm at a loss to understand the relatively low price it commands on eBay. Almost as underrated as the f4/200 Telyt - V. Beats me.</p>

<p>Huh?</p>

<p>>Anyway, just tell me what are the key rendering qualities of Leica.<br />Bottomless sharpness, high contrast, accurate color rendition, and superb wide open performance. Here is a photo taken with an R9 with Digital Modul-R behind an f4/280 APO Telyt, handheld with shoulder stock, wide open at 1/4000th sec. ISO 200....cropped to 3% of the original frame. Yup! Three (3) percent.</p><div></div>

<p> Cardinal II</p><div></div>