Leica 'R' Series Reviews Leicaflex & 'R' Camera Reviews Leicaflex and R Lens Reviews & Specifications Leica 'R' Lens Reviews by Douglas Herr Leica 'R' Camera and Lens Reviews by Eye UK Leica 'R' Lens Tests by Photodo Sweden Lens Top Picks for Leica 'R' Helpful advice for getting started with Leica 'R' system Leica 'R' CAMS Explained Leica ROM Lenses Explained Leica 'R' Serial Numbers 'Cameraquest' Leica R8 & R9 Review Leica Digital Module R Leica's R8 & R9 The latest SLR cameras from Leica, the R8 & R9 will now accept the new Leica Digital Module R.  Use one system and body to shoot both Film & Digital!   Authors Viewpoint Many of my reviews on Leica M and R series cameras are built around my Professional use of these cameras and lenses.  My work requires that my gear can withstand Harsh climates.  I often shoot on Snow Capped Mountain, Sand Dunes in the Mojave and Death Valley Deserts, Tropical and Wet Mountain Environments and other locations.  The best Electronic cameras have proven to stop working in these environments.  Batteries simply cannot take the cold.  My cameras get wet and they get pounded by sand and dust, not to mention the extreme heat.  Mechanical SLR's and Rangefinder cameras work best when the going gets tough.  My Leicaflex SL & SL2 along with my Leica Rangefinder cameras have Never let me down.  Other cameras have let me down through the years, even some cameras that are considered to be the Best 'PRO' SLR cameras (even though I still have a couple of these SLR's that I use as Point & Shoots for Family events).  The Leica lenses, whether they are Rangefinder or SLR lenses, are beyond Reproach.  They are the Sharpest and Most contrasty lenses, from Corner to Corner, and Better Built than any other lens system in the World.  The R8/R9 have found a new birth as a Digital Camera using the new Leica Digital Module R.  The ergonomics are exellent and for an electronic SLR, they are the best I have encountered.  I do not need too many features in a camera.  I only need: Self Timer (why does the M6 and R6 not have one?) DOF preview A spot meter is preferred when the camera has a meter.  (Matrix and Center weighted metering is a joke)  An Uncluttered, 100% Field of View Viewfinder with a Good Bright and Easy to Focus screen Shutter speeds from B/1/1000th.  1/2000 is fine if its available.  Extended slow speeds would be great. (16 & 32 seconds) Mechanical Shutter Cable Release & Self Timer Std. Flash Sync. & Hotshoe A well sealed and Rugged Camera Body Well designed and Robust Lenses Proper Ergonomics and Handling I Do Not Need: Electronic Shutters Winders & Motors Unnecessary Weight Buttons and Programs LCD Panels Autofocus Stupid Metering Systems designed by Marketing People and Engineers that don't use Cameras. The camera to second guess anything that I am doing or provide me with information that I do not need. Anything in the viewfinder other than Shutter Speed, Match Needle Meter, Aperture and Frame Counter (only Contax has this) A Monster size SLR, AKA Nikon F5 Unnecessary Shutter Speeds designed once again by Marketing people and Idiot Engineers (who the hell needs 1/12000 second shutter speeds??)  I find that 1/1000 is fine.  A rare occasion warrants 1/2000.  I would much rather have extended slow speeds to 16 or 32 seconds. Electronic Self Timers and Electronic Shutter Cable Releases. (pain in the ass) TTL Flash Gimcrackery (the best flash pictures are those bounced from the ceiling)  All the TTL gimmicks in the world will not make nice soft light from an electronic flash.  Why don't the camera manufacturers work on providing a flash unit that produces nicely balanced and color corrected soft light??  The pictures are the same with a TTL camera and a non-TTL camera with Std. Auto flash.  But the difference from a bounced flash is a million times better and produces no shadows. I like my SLR's small with a good grip.  Large cameras are a pain in the neck to carry (Nikon F5, Canon EOS 1, Contax AX).  Another ploy by the Marketing geniuses that are designing cameras.  Leica & Olympus had the right idea here, but why not a nice built in Grip like the Nikon F100?? Of course, your needs may very, especially if you shoot Sporting events.  Then you will need a Motor Drive. That's why I still love my 4x5 Linhof and 6x7 Plaubel Makinas.  Just Pure Photography.  Oh ya, and Leica of course for All 35mm photography, but I am not an M snob, I can still admit that I like to use my SLR's.  They are better for long focal lengths and Macro.  And nothing beats being able to look at your composition through the lens of the camera, especially through the Super Bright Leica R and Leicaflex viewfinders.