Leica R collection - worth the bother?

[andreios]

Friends,
I've been asked to "deal" with a sort of a collection of Leitz SLR items which comes from a deceased person. I know about the non-rangefinder leicas near to nothing, so forgive me for asking here - this is not meant as a pre-advertisment (though it might come to that), but just a way to learn a bit about what I've been offered.

The kit consists (as I was told - I still have my doubts whether to have all this kit shipped to me or not) of two bodies:

Leicaflex SL with Leitz 50mm/f2 lens
Leica R3 with 50mm/f 1.8 (was anything like f1.8 ever made by leitz?)

and a few additional lenses (not sure which versions these are):
Leitz 135mm f2,8
Leitz 250mm F4
Leitz 75-200mm f4,5

Are any of these lenses so good that it would be worth acquiring another system and keep it? I have to add that I am not much used to tele-photography.. Or are thay so good that they might be sell-able? If so, where could I find something like a price guide?

Thank you for any hints and advices.

[David Hughes]

Hi,

The simple and short answer is "yes, yes and yes".

They are worth getting and using and should be easy to sell. All the lenses are to Leica's usual standard but you'd need to do some research on the web to get an idea of prices.

There's just one vague problem; if they fail they can be expensive to get repaired. The electronics, or rather replacing them, might make a repair difficult. BTW, failures are rare but you need to know before it happens. And in your country it may not be a problem.

In your shoes I would chase after them and use them. They are Leicas and nothing else need be said.

Regards, David

[Dralowid]

The SL has something of a following. It is a simple camera and very good to use, if rather hefty. If you like Ms you will appreciate it's Leicaishness even though it is an SLR.

Early R3s can apparently have electronic issues and should be approached with caution.

[dave lackey]

Go for it! Rumors of bad electronics, etc. are exaggerated because in the beginning, it was a Minolta product, not Leica. After weeks of through research, I have zero problems in buying into the system!!! How many people who bitch about the problems actually owned one and HAD problems? Probably about the same as Nikon/Canon owners and I have had a few Nikon issues myself. Does'nt make me afraid to buy any more camera bodies.


Besides, Plan B is replacing an R body if it is a problem, buying another is VERY cheap and less than repair. Still much cheaper than the M system which I use every day!

[Steve M.]

The lenses are wonderful in terms of build quality and imagery, the 50 2.0 Summicron especially. Never heard of a 50 R 1.8 though.

I can't say the same for the cameras. They're a mixed bag, and the SL is a better one, but $25 will buy you a Nikon n8008s w/ great metering and all sorts of features. The Chinese copies of the Leitax lens mount adapters are about the same or less. You'll have to do stop down metering, but on the camera I mentioned the view is really bright at 2.0. Just focus at 2.0, close down the aperture, and the camera's shutter speeds will go in sync. Your metering will probably be off on a DSLR unless it's a newer, more expensive model. At least this is the case on the Canons. I wouldn't recommend a Canon film camera because of the off metering too. Best to go w/ an AF camera because w/ a split prism focus screen that's typically on a MF camera, the center gets dark as you stop down, throwing off the metering.

[andreios]

Thanks meanwhile for your opinions.. I have to add, that I am not much interested in small format nowadays - so there is really no point for me to adapt those lenses on other than their proper bodies. Also no DLSR with me..

It turns out that the current holder wants/needs to get at least some money from the lot, so it seems I'll be able to keep at least one body and a pair of lenses (the SL with the summicron, most likely).

Anyway, I've made arrangements to get the lot into my hands and then I shall be wiser.. Hopefully..

[taskoni]

Go for it!

[andreios]

It has taken a while to get the collection SAFELY home from Italy, but I picked it up over the weekend and went through it last night - there are some nice cameras and lenses there.
Both the SL and R3 with their respecitve 50mm Summicrons, a couple of Leitz R tele lenses and one that I never saw or heard about before - a HUGE piece of glass - Sigmatel YS 135mm f1,8 - anyone heard about that?

Now I have to test the gear - which is always quite a happy "duty" and it'll be an enjoyable change from weeks (months?) of LF and MF shooting :-)


Thanks!

[David Hughes]

Great! And many thanks for the feedback. I'm looking forward to your next report.

Regards, David

PS It might be worthwhile to mention anything that's missing, like lens or body caps. Most of us have a few odds and ends that are looking for a good home and that don't justify advertising or putting on ebay...

[andreios]

Thanks, David! I have to go through it carefully and find what's what - also there are some weird adapters for visoflex etc... But it cerainly promises a lot of fun for coming weeks

[asiafish]

I'm a big fan of the R3 and the 135 Elmarit-R.