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| sent on 27 Ottobre 2022
Pros: Compactness and lightness, ergonomics, quality of the SLR viewfinder, timeless aesthetics, mounts the fantastic Leica R lenses
Cons: This camera is a jewel of mechanical precision but it is mechanically and electronically fragile.
Opinion: I worked with the R4 (*) intensely for twenty years is a beautiful camera, compact and light but perhaps a little too much, the micro-mechanics multifunction used is rather fragile, in fact to avoid the multiplication of sticks, buttons, wheels, etc .. and maintain a good compactness and ergonomics the controls have a very elaborate mechanics that allows them to have multiple functions but these pieces are not very thick and resistant enough. It has all the necessary functions and excellent ergonomics but as I said it is a bit fragile, during the period that I used it I had several problems with the light meter due to false contacts, sometimes it worked sometimes not, sometimes it worked only in certain ways of exposures such as AV and P (first return to assistance) and once I could no longer unscrew the flexible shot from the shutter button I had to force it a little and that caused the vision to block in the viewfinder of the selected diaphragm (it is not clear why, but second return to assistance), also after fifteen years I would have to replace all the seals of the back of the camera because they crumbled and the film took light, I used it a few more years by putting black tape on the back to avoid light infiltration but not having the intention of repairing it again I ended up selling it, For the rest it withstood the worst climatic conditions and use but proved to be the most fragile and most "problematic" camera I have ever owned. The viewfinder is excellent (although not at the level of Nikon F HP: F photomic, F3 HP, etc ...) as magnification (x85) and eye distance but not very bright, it is very easy to do the MaF manually but the central stigmometer darkens and makes the MaF difficult with apertures more closed than 2.8 / 4. the different types of spot exposure measurement, central weighted, over the whole field, etc. They are very useful and extremely precise. The SLR mirror and the shutter are the best cushioned (just hear the noise it makes... a pleasure) that I have never known on a SLR and this allows if the photographer has a steady hand to use very low shutter speeds without risk of blur due to vibrations. in short, the budget is a bit contradictory, all in all I took beautiful photos taking advantage of the excellent quality of the R optics (I had a wide range), this camera is a "gem" of mechanical precision but must be manipulated carefully and is not made for professional or intensive use and despite its considerable qualities and the satisfactions it gave me I do not feel like recommending it even on occasion, because of its fragility it does not seem to me that it is a good investment.... with the old SL2 mot for example that I bought already well used, in 20 years I have never had the slightest problem, if you want to photograph in analog with Leica R lenses I think it is wiser to orient yourself on an R7, 8 or 9 .... in digital the ideal would be to mount them on a digital SL2, but also any ML will make the deal. (*) (first model without S mod.2, but comparing it with that of a friend who has the S mod.2 I did not notice any visible difference, maybe the electronics? if it would be a good thing, read above) |
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