The Leica R4 Camera is one of those cameras that was manufactured by the collaboration of the German company Leitz and the Japanese company Minolta Camera Co. Ltd.
The camera was launched in 1980, and due to high-quality results, it instantly grabbed the attention of consumers. Later on, five versions of the camera were launched, which increased its worth in the market.
The Leica R4 Mot electronic was launched in 1980, the Leica R4 in 1981, the Leica R4 chrome in 1982, the Leica R4s in 1983, and the Leica R4s-2 in 1985. The special edition was launched in 1984 Leica R4 in brown and gold color.
Several models of this camera were launched afterward with updated features like exposure modes and flash metering. Dual SR44 batteries power the Leica R4.
In this comprehensive review, we will explore the performance, features, and other relevant aspects of the Leica R4.
Features
One of the vital features of the Leica R4 that played a key role in the success of the camera was a multi-mode operation. It made a huge difference in the quality of photos, which was a big plus point for the users.
Here are those four operating modes.
- Program mode.
- The manual mode only works with spot metering.
- Shutter priority mode that works with center-weighted metering.
- Aperture Priority mode that works with center-weighted and spot metering.
The previous versions of Leica SLRs did not have the program mode. When program mode was introduced in the R4, it upgraded the camera’s quality and enabled it to compete with other cameras in the market at that time.
Another reason for the popularity of R4 was the wide range of lenses that were compatible with the camera. It also provided a broad array of options for users with diverse requirements.
The R-bayonet mount lenses used in R4 gave users access to all R-system lenses, including 800mm lens and 15mm ultra-wide lens.
The improved metering system also added great value to these cameras. The center-weighted and spot-metering were installed in the R4. The Lecia R3 also had these same features, but the metering system of the R4 had an advanced mechanism that improved the performance of the camera big time.
Light is not reflected through a small mirror in the R4 as it uses a large offset Fresnel reflector with a semi-transparent surface. Due to this valuable feature, the photos that were taken outdoors during a bright day had satisfactory results.
Another important aspect of the R4 is the electronically timed vertical-travel metal shutter. It had a maximum speed of 1/1000 sec. Although it was an electronic camera, it was still possible to take photos without batteries. It was due to the mechanical shutter that had a speed of 1/100 sec.
Unlike other cameras of that time, the R4 camera came with a built-in position that was perfect for motorized film travel.
Performance of Leica R4
Different aspects of the Leica R4 showcase its good performance. One of the most prominent aspects is a big bright viewfinder that can achieve a magnification of .9X. It was the standout feature in the cameras of that time.
The viewfinder has an eye-level non-interchangeable prism, and the camera also provides the choice of five viewscreens. It included a plain matte screen, a screen with crosshairs, a matte screen with grid lines, the standard viewscreen with central split-image aid, and a screen with no split-image.
Some of the other primary aspects of the camera included metering mode, shutter speed, memory hold, aperture, flash ready, manual override, and exposure. All these specifications positively contributed to the performance of the camera.
The smaller body of the camera also improved the user experience. The casing, controls, and front plate made the camera’s body more compact.
Drawbacks of Leica R4
It is also important to know some of the shortcomings of the R4. Firstly, it did not have TTL flash metering, which was one of the cons. Furthermore, it also does not have a mirror-lock-up option.
Some of the early versions also had faulty hardware that created a lot of issues for the consumers. However, those issues were later on addressed.
Final Words
It would be right to say that despite having some drawbacks, the Leica R4 was a visually attractive and high-quality SLR camera. It was the best option of its predecessors at that time which played a key role in the success of the camera. If you want to buy a vintage camera, you must consider R4 as it will be a great investment.