Since the Contax S2 is defunct, I've decided to replace mine. There aren't very many choices available for this type of camera, and I'm happy with my M6, so I'm leaning toward a Leica R6.2

I'd appreciate any comments or advice on the R6.2, and thoughts on where would be the best place to buy one. (I'm in the U.S.)

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.et), October 05, 2000

Answers

Just call Betty Anderson at Delta International. She prob. has one in the $1400.00 range....Can't beat that price for a new one!

-- Steve Hoffman (musicmavin@earthlink.net), October 05, 2000.

What do you mean "the Contax S2 is defunct"? Fact or rumor? TIA Mitch

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), October 05, 2000.

Cancel that question; I was thinking of the G2. In fact, I probably wasn't thinking at all (not unusual).

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), October 05, 2000.

Joe

A lot of people have been asking about this on this site recently! I have responded a lot about the R6.2 elsewhere. In short, I think it is a good manual camera.

My suggestion is to buy at Fotocare here in NYC - I like them and they give good personal service. You need to speak to Jeff Hirsch or Allen Weitz (212) 741 2990. Of course, I have no idea where you are located. Another favorite is Tamarkin here in NYC (don't have their number to hand), they are a real Leica store (perhaps even more than Fotocare, who are a good professional's outlet). They seem good folk with the right attitudes. Of course B&H will also sell you one no problem too.

By the way I do suggest you look carefully at the R8 - it is a great feeling camera and you may be really surprised by it.

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

Thanks Robin. It would probably be worthwhile for me to drive to NYC so that I could look at one closely. Maybe I'll give Tamarkin a try.

Things that I like about the S2 are the small size, very bright viewfinder, and spot metering. It seems like the R6.2 will compare well on those points.

I don't particularly like the metering display in the S2. Could someone describe what the R6.2 viewfinder display looks like? Is it similar to a Nikon FM2, say, with optically displayed aperture and shutter speed and a three-point meter system? If not, what?

Last question - I like the left-hand aperture preview button on the S2 better than the right-hand lever on an FM2. What is the aperture preview on an R6.2 like?

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), October 10, 2000.

Joe,

Sorry, but I can't answer the question about the viewfinder, but the Depth of field preview lever on the R6.2 is on the same side as the FM2... the right side while you are looking through the camera. It is quite a large lever compared to the Nikon.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), October 10, 2000.

Thanks Al. Its not a showstopper, but I like being able to depress the aperture preview button on the S2 with my left hand, while I adjust the aperture with my thumb and index finger. This leaves my right hand in shooting position, supporting the camera and with my finger ready on the shutter release. I could never get used to the lever on the FM2. Maybe with practice I could learn to operate the lever with my second or third finger instead.

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), October 10, 2000.

Hi, Joe. The 6.2 stop-down lever is perfectly situated to be operated with the middle finger of the right hand. This allows you to keep control of the camera with the rest of your right hand without interference. The viewfinder has all the essential information without having overly distrative displays. All information is along the bottom edge of the finder. Going left to right... * The flash-ready lightning bolt - red LED. * The "circle" and "box" red LEDs - indicating the spot or full-field metering pattern being used. Also, these LEDs "blink" if you've set the ISO exposure compensation, but they don't tell you "which way" or by how much. * The "arrow-dot-arrow" red LEDs, indicating exposure under/over proximity. This arrangement is very effective, and was just adpoted on the M6 TTL (except the arrows on the 6.2 have little "-" and "+" signs built right into the arrow itself). * In the center of the lower edge is the current aperature reflected off the lens ring. * A little to the right is the current shutter speed. That's it. You can turn on a backlight to help with reading the aperature & shutter in low light situations. The center spot-field circle contains the split-image rangefinder, plus a micro-prism surround. I particularly like the selection switch on the 6.2 - "Off", "Spot", and "Full-Field". The shutter dial has no part in either selecting the exposure mode or turning the meter on or off. All-in-all, in my opinion, this is the SLR that a Leica rangefinder fan would feel most comfortable with if he/she was absolutely forced to stoop to the SLR alternative. Actually I love my 6.2 and selection of specialized R lenses just as much as my reagefinder. They complement each other very nicely. I agree Betty at Delta International would be my first stop for best price. Tamarkin if you want the service. Good hunting, Joe.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), October 15, 2000.