The Leica R series have been designed and built to the same standard as the M series. However, Leitz ( predecessor of Leica) was very slow in entering the SLR market. By the time it launched first reflex, Leicaflex Standard, the Japanese such as Nikon with its F series were way ahead.
The Leicaflex SL/SL2 were great cameras, among the best SLRs ever built, especially the SL with its very bright and contrasty viewfinder. However, these cameras are getting to be very old (30-40 years) and there could be issues with the Cds meter and the pentaprism. Cds cells are known to age and would fail after a certain a number of years. The reflective silver coating on the pentaprism could start to delaminate. All these are costly repairs or in the case of Cds, almost impossible to repair as this type of cell has longed ago been replaced with silicon photodiode.
The first electronic R camera was the R3. This was based on the Minolta XE1, but reworked by Leitz with its own mirror module and metering. The camera was solidly built and very rugged. I bought a used one as a back-up to my R4. However, unless you can make certain its meter works accurately and its match needle is not sticky, I would suggest looking at the newer R series.
The R4-7 were based on the Minolta XD7 chassis. Avoid R4 with S/N below 1,600,000. These are known to have electronics problems. However, by now most of these could have gone to the SLR heaven! The 5 or 7 is a choice if you prefer a more compact body with AE exposure controls. The electronics have been improved opver the previous R series. If you prefer a fully mechanical R the only choices are the R6 and R6.2, the latter having 1/2000s and more sensitive metering. I used to have the 6.2. Great camera with an excellent viewfinder. But I found this to be too small when using larger zoom or telephoto lenses.
My favourite R series is the R8 or R9. I bought the R8 when it came out and prefer this to the R6.2. In my opinion, the R8/9 has the best ergonomics among the R series. It can be large for someone with small hands, but it handles beautifully and it felt solid as a rock. I used my R8 with the DMR for several years and the quality of the files are amazing. In some ways, the 16 bit DMR files are some of the best I have seen from any DSLR.
As for lenses, for a starter, a good choice is the 50mm Summicron, same design as the M version. For wide angle, the 28mm Elmarit (1st ver) is reasonably priced and when stopped down to mid-apertures performed very well. However, should you decide to use this with a ff dslr in the future, the edge and corner performance are not comparable to modern lenses. The 2nd ver is much better, but more expensive. For the 90mm, the Elmarit version is a great lens, comparable to the M version. My favourite is the 90'Cron, which at f2.0 has the soft, lovely bokeh but when stopped down to 5.6 becomes very sharp. The 90 Apo-Asph is also available with the R mount should you need this type of performance.
If you need ultrawide angle, the 19mm Elmarit, 2nd ver is still excellent. This is my favourite wide angle with the DMR. Although it does show softness and vignetting in the corners at f2.8 and f4.0 with ff sensors, but its centre is very sharp and by 5.6 its performance improves greatly.
The strength of the R systems are its Apo telephoto lenses. The Apo Macro 100mm is still considered the best macro lens in its class. The Apo-Telyt 280 F4.0 which is now almost legendary has a resolution limit of 500lp/mm or 1000 lines/mm! I have the Apo Telyt 180/2.8 and even at full aperture its resolution is outstanding.
Let us know which R camera and lenses you decide and good luck to your selection.
N.S. Ng
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