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Leicaflex (1964 - 1968)

Already at the time of their introduction the Leicaflex was not a particularly modern camera. Nevertheless it put the foundation-stone for a new camera family. First the new R-bayonet would be to be mentioned that contrary to the M-bayonet at that time in the diameter substantially one increased. In addition came a mirror reflex system, which resembled the Visoflex III and had a mirror ahead solution. The catch was changed likewise and nevertheless made a fastest Verschlusszeit of 1/2000s possible. The exposure measurement is made still externally by a small measuring window at the prism housing. The first Leicaflex was more rarely also available in black painted execution in chromed and. Altogether 37500 pieces were built.

Leicaflex SL (1968 - 1974)

1968 were already replaced the Leicaflex by the Leicaflex SL, which offered an TTL exposure measurement with its selective measurement finally also. Indeed the selective measurement, which essentially corresponds to a Spotmessung with somewhat larger measuring field, was over years an however position characteristic of the Leicaflex. Up to mainly cosmetic changes it was otherwise identical to the Leicaflex to a large extent. The Leicaflex SL was delivered in series brightly or black chromium-plated and only individual copies were black painted. The total production amounts to approximately 72000 units, by which scarcely for the enterprise with the optionally available engine were appropriate to 1100.

Leicaflex SL 2 (1974 - 1976)

With the Leicaflex SL2 the last model of the Leicaflex row was presented. Their outstanding features were a more sensitive exposure meter as well as a changed building of search up with lighting, Schnittbildentfernungsmesser and modified mirror for extreme wide angle objectives. Later also still another version for the employment with the engine Winder was presented. Nevertheless the SL2 was not already at the time of the introduction on the market any more state of the art against a competition, which worked already eagerly on multi-automats. In addition the production of the SL 2 was so expensive that the housings with loss into the market to be pressed and the profit with the objectives had to be obtained. Thus production ended after only two years and approximately 25500 copies (of it 1020 as "“Mot"” execution).

Leica R

In order not to have to give the increasing market up of the mirror reflex cameras, Leitz at the beginning of the seventies a co-operation with Minolta was received, by which Leitz access to modern technology attained as for instance automatic timer. This led 1976 to the conception of the Leica R3, with which Leitz had created the connection again to a large extent. Unfortunately Leitz missed immediately the development of the autofocus, so that the company came again technically into the Hintertreffen. Since the late nineties the today's Leica Camera AG develops again independently mirror reflex cameras.

Leica R3 (1976 - 1979)

With the Leica R3 a break with the past Leicaflex family took place. Also the name was changed, but shows the designation R3 still another certain continuity, which is confirmed also at the unchanged bayonet. It was the first SLR Leica, which developed from co-operation with Minolta. The catch was replaced by a modern Metallamellenverschluss, and for the first time contrary to the Minolta XE-1, on it technically was based, apart from the integral measurement for the exposure also realized a Spotmessung. The actual progress opposite the Leicaflex lies however in the automatic timer and the electronically formed times (1/100 as a mechanical time). To approximately 2000 units production was shifted from Wetzlar to Portugal, where to today Leica products are manufactured. Altogether approx. 70000 R3 were built, of it scarcely half with engine connection. Most cameras were supplied in black chromium plating, however some hundred copies in silver chromium plating as well as 5000 copies with olive founder lacquer finish do not exist as "“safari"” Version.Nun were however the Leica R3 MOT with engine necessarily the most reliable camera of the R3-Reihe.

Leica R4 (1980 - 1986)

With the R4 a further large jump took place toward a modern mirror reflex camera. With program, time and screen mechanism the R4 were the first multi-automat in the Leitz assortment. Also the housing was changed strongly and remained almost unchanged with its obligingly/pleasingly rounded off forms up to the R7. The R4 was in series for engine enterprise appropriate, so that the Mot variant was void. Exact production numbers are not well-known, but might lie the total production within the range of something over 100000 units, by which about 10000 was black chromium-plated brightly and the remainder.

Leica R4s (1983 - 1988)

As if and lower-priced version of the R4 simplified starting from 1983 the R4s was offered, which was in black available only. With it were void the dazzling and the program mechanism. Otherwise it was completely identical to the R4. Starting from 1985 it was easily modified and as R4s Mod.2/Mod. P offered. The total production is with approximately 25000 units.

Leica R5 (1986 - 1991)

One replaced the R4 of the R5, which offered a TTL Blitzsteuerung in the same housing additionally. Furthermore the catch time range was extended and the Sucher was somewhat improved. Production numbers are not available unfortunately yet.

Leica RH (1990 - 1994)

According to the R4s also a version simplified of the R5 was offered. Also with it were void the dazzling and the program mechanism. All other functions correspond exactly to those the R5.

Leica R6 (1988 - 1992); Leica R6.2 (1992 - 2002)

Two after year the R5 with the R6 was presented again a completely new camera. Outwardly it corresponds the R5, but with the R6 a purely mechanical camera was to a large extent designed, which is dependent on battery power only for exposure measurement. Thereby was void all Automatiken which made the camera a special tool for professional photographers. The R6.2 represents an improvement the R6 in some details.

Leica R7 (1992 - 1997)

With extended and improved lightning functions, changed Sucheranzeigen, a somewhat higher bearing cup (to the accommodation of electronics, and digital electronics it corresponds in relation to to a direct advancement the R5.

Leica R8 (1996 - 2002)

With the Leica R8 the Leica Camera AG presented a completely new housing, which was sometimes violently criticized because of its daring shaping. She pleased of large popularity nevertheless and became in particular estimated for the intuitive operation. The Leica R8 offers a substantially extended catch time range as well as for the first time a multi-field survey. As the successor R9 knows also the R8 with a digital move-hurries, which digitally module r are developed to a digital mirror reflex camera.

Leica R9 (since 2002)

The R9 represents the current model of the Leica mirror reflex cameras and is one in details improved R8, whereby in particular the HSS Blitzsteuerung and the more balanced weight distribution are to be emphasized. Also a digital module is at the disposal of which this camera (how also the older R8) a high-quality digital camera makes - and nevertheless the possibility receives if necessary again KB film to use