Leica R8–R9

Leica R8
Black Leica R8
Overview
MakerLeica
Type35 mm SLR
Released1996
Production1996–2002
Lens
Lens mountLeica R mount
Sensor/medium
Film format35 mm
Film size36 mm × 24 mm
Focusing
FocusManual focus
Exposure/metering
ExposureShutter, Aperture priority autoexposure; manual
Flash
FlashHot shoe and PC terminal
General
Dimensions51 × 86 × 136 mm, 560 g
Made inGermany
Chronology
PredecessorLeica R4-R7
SuccessorLeica R9

The Leica R8 & R9 are manual focus 35 mm single-lens reflex cameras produced by the German firm Leica as the final models of their R series. Development of the R8 began in 1990: the camera was introduced at the 1996 photokina trade show, and was succeeded by the similar Leica R9 in 2002.

Both can be fitted with the Digital Modul R (DMR) digital back (discontinued in 2007 [1]) and used as a digital camera making them the only 35 mm SLRs to take a user-installable digital back. The R8 was the first R-series camera to have no association with Minolta, being solely a Leica design and showing a clear stylistic change compared to prior bodies.