DMR /2006 LFI 9
all control elements are situated in
the right place and the camera rests
securely in one’s hands. The greatest
plus of the R system and surely the
main reason for its excellent reputation
is the vast array of lenses, which like
the camera itself are handmade. See
the article on page 22 on Leica R lenses,
of which more than a few are known to
be absolute top of the class.
BASIC SET-UP
The Digital-Modul-R consists of two
basic components. The digital back itself
replaces the standard back with film
pressure plate; it contains the CCD
sensor, the main electronics and the slot
for the SD memory card. A power supply
unit is connected from below and
contains the lithium ion battery as
well as the motor, which is also required
in digital operation; it clamps the
shutter, which, incidentally, can be
disengaged temporarily with the quick-
release lever. The camera with digital
back is practically as heavy and large
as the camera with motor drive.
The delivery package also contains a
viewfinder matt screen, showing the
limited picture area of the image sensor
within a corresponding frame, and
other accessories, such as a charger, a
bag for the back unit, a memory card
and software.
Apart from the matt screen, the
R8 or R9 requires no modification
or re-equipping for digital operation.
Fortunately, Leica had already included
all of the important electronics for the
communication with the digital back
during the development of the R8 in
1996, and this is what made the whole
thing possible in the first place. The only
inconvenience that owners of an R8 have
to accept is that the R8 cannot tell the
digital module when to switch off. Thus
it has its own power button.
TRANSFORMATION
For the initial installation of the Digital-
Modul-R the viewfinder matt screen
is traded for the supplied version with
the additional frame indicating the
digital sensor’s view angle. Included in
the delivery is a matt screen with a
split image and micro prism ring, but
Leica now also offer the various matt
screens with the respective sensor frame
(except the clear glass screen). In 35-mm
mode, those who can accept the
then superfluous frame can and should
leave the matt screen installed in the
camera. After all, the changing of
screens is the most time consuming
aspect of the conversion.
With attached Digital-Modul-R,
the R9 is practically as large as with the
Motor-Drive-R. The protruding monitor
of the digital back unit does not obstruct
the view through the viewfinder
The R9 gets by with very few,
conveniently placed, control elements.
The rather unusual form of the
camera guarantees smooth operation
21045_E_0615_DMRR_System.QXD 14.06.2006 18:38 Uhr Seite 9