I looked more seriously at the R8 the other day, and I have to admit it really does look an excellent camera. Can any one tell me whether it has exposure memory lock at all? Usually this is on the shutter release, but as the R8 uses this to energize the meter, I assume it does not work for both functions?

I would use it mainly on the T setting, probably with selective area metering.

-- Robin Smith (rsmith@springer-ny.com), June 06, 2000

Answers

Robin, I have a book from Hove publishing, written by Jonathan Eastland, that is completely dedicated to the R8. The answer to your question is yes, although it is not as "user friendly" and hands off as other cameras. It is simply a matter of holding pressure on the shutter release, just before the actual firing of the shutter, until you get your composition worked out. It does offer one advantage in that it will maintain the exposure value and allow you to adjust either the F stop or shutter speed, (depending on the mode you are in), and the camera will adjust the other half of the exposre to match the "locked" value. If you are in manual mode, it will deviate from the "locked" value, but a plus/minus display will tell how far off you are in EV. This could expedite bracketing I suppose, but I'm not sure how valuable the auto mode locking would be. I would simply set the exposure after composition, or go manual for my close up or surrigate reading. I love my M because none of this is relevant. All of these bells and whistles get in the way it seems. I can see how it could get to be a dexerity problem trying to hold and not fire the shutter... then reach for the shutter speed dial to adjust the shutter. After buying this book, I decided to stick to my Nikons as my SLR. I think that all technology is at its best right before it is obsolete. The R8 is a brand new concept and the history is not that well defined... unlike the M series, which can boast well over 40 years of "war stories" attributed to its durability. Hope this helps. I have this book, so if you have any other questions about the R8, just ask. Al

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), June 06, 2000.

Al

Thanks very much for your answer. This makes the camera more attractive still. I am with you on the bells and whistles in a way as my main camera is the all manual R.6.2. and I have never owned an auto camera. But I do see advantages, since holding the shutter release to freeze a setting would essentially allow me to take all my pictures without ever having to touch the aperture ring (as on "T" this is adjusted automatically)- which has got to be quicker for street and candid photos. I need to lock the setting of course, because I may not want the center of my composition to actually be the area metered on many occasions.

I also like the 2 second self-timer (means you don't really need a cable release) and also the 1/250 flash sync speed. It also does fit in the hand beautifully. I also take a lot of pictures with exposures longer than 1 sec, so having a shutter that can go up to 32secs (on auto) or 16 secs (manual) is a real benefit, particularly when combined with the 2 sec self timer. At present I have to look at the second hand on my watch...It's only problem is its large size, but sometimes size has its advantages for minimising camera shake.

Thanks again for your help. Any other features on the R8 that people love or hate?

-- Robin Smith (rsmith@springer-ny.com), June 07, 2000.

Robin,

I've had my R8 for 1.5 years and I love it. I use it daily for street photography and studio fashion photography. It fits my hand and mind perfectly. Once you use it for a good solid month you'll never want to shoot with anything else. Once you are used to the controls you can make split second adjustments to the "feel" of the photo. I waited many years for the day I could afford a Leica and am really glad such an uncompromising company is still around. If more people could see and feel the R8, and be shown its many advantages I know a ton would be sold. Most salespeople have no idea how great this camera design really is.

Good Luck!

Jim

-- Jim Schnitter (jim@microera.com), July 05, 2000.