I kept finding myself in manual mode when I thought I was in aperture prioriy.The Leica R8 is a manual focus 35 mm single-lens reflex camera produced by the German firm of Leica as part of their R series of cameras. The mode selection wheel has no lock as is much to easily turned. Aside from these reliability problems I did find one glaring design flaw. It was like returning to the girl that you never should have left. I dumped the system and went back to the Contax RTSIII. When the lens looked perfectly focused it was actually focused behind the subject. It was not the mirror out of alignment which can be detected by looking through the viewfinder. One of my bodies developed a weird focus error.
I also had the worst camera nightmare of my entire professional career. I had electronic problems with both which were solved by Leica. I experienced major reliability problems with both bodies as did a fellow shooter I compared notes with. They feel great with the motor winder or drive. I purchased two of these cameras at the same time. I was attracted to the R-8 by the finest viewing system that I had ever seen. On a 1-10 scale, it would be a 9: All that you REALLY need within reach w/o all that gimmicks that are only confusing. Cannot say much about motor/winder and flash, as I do not need them. What else is "not perfect": the DOF-testing-lever is sometimes a bit difficult to reach (especially, if you have already pressed the release button half-way to save the metering), the exposure-metering-mode-selector is easy to switch from right to left, more difficult sometimes from left to right (selective to multi-field). Some of the things I would to see improved, has been done in R9 number of pictures even when camera is off, ASA-number in dx-mode (okay, could just have a look a the film through the window) and preventing the selector-switch from turning on unvoluntarily. Also, sometimes, though very rarely, the display on the backside (would prefer the R8 w/o it for the looks) does not turn on, even though the camera is switched on - but the rest is working ok, so not a big problem. Some of the softer plastic on the bottom is wearing off - you can see this only if you look closely. Though a bit heavy, all functions are within reach. While I liked the classic look of the old R's better (was afraid, it might "attract" the wrong sort of people while travelling in Asia - but nobody cared so far), I nonetheless opted for the R8 because of better handling (I had been using a Canon F1n for 9 years now, but got used to handling the R8 within hours!) and the amazingly bright viewfinder. But then again, I might just have to get an R9 to go with it!! Another thing, I have no desire to go digital anymore. Next year when I sell the remainder of my worldly possessons (I sold a car and a couple of rooms of inherited collectibles to buy the R8 and 50/2), maybe I'll break out and buy a 21-35 ASPH. I find I am now shooting in a Ze-like state, looking at autumn leaves, simple oceans, people alone on the street. The result is that I am learning to appreciate the one lens one camera ideal. Because this camera is expensive and the lenses moreso, I run my R8 with a 50/2 Summicron only. This feature has really been thought out properly. And the EV correction lever is a joy to use. Everything is reachable on the body without having to take your eyes off the subject. Aim, think, compose, focus, shoot, wind on to next frame, aim, think, compose, focus, etc. With this camera you can forget about fiddlilng with mysterious and confusing and over-complicated dials and the inevitable autofocus flip-flop. This, however, is only a feature, not a weakness. It is heavy, particulalry with the standard Leica lens possibilities. Few make photography an enjoyable experience. I have had more cameras than I have had dinners.