Film cameras
Leica R-E User manual
User manual for Leica R-E. 59 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
59 pagesEnglish4.6 MB PDF
Loading your manual…Open PDF directly
Document details
- Brand
- Leica
- Model / document
- Leica R-E
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 59
- File size
- 4.6 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
Search available document text
Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 3 · Read text
I
We hope that your new LEICA@ will give Leica Academy. But Leiia not only makes
you a great deal of pleasure and wish you products for everything lrigh-performance
many years of successfulphotography with it. from observation to reproduction. A special
serviceavailableto you is the LeicaAcademy.
For many years,this internationally famous
facility teaches photographic know-how in
application-oriented seminars and training
courses.It meets the needs of keen photo-
graphers, both beginners and advanced
students, for special training in demanding
areasof 35mm photography,projection, and
enlargement.
Up-to-date, well-equipped classrooms at
our Solms headquarters are available for
these courses,which are held by experienced
instructors, with syllabuses ranging from
generalphotography to specializedfields of
interest. They provide a wealth of practical
suggestions,help, and advice.
Further information and details of seminars
are available from:
Leica Camera GmbH, Leica Academy
Oskar-Barnack-Strasse11
6336 Solms (Germany)
Telephone +49 (06442) 208 421
www.orphancameras.comView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
Contents Page Page Brief description 4 Eyepiece shutter 33 Attaching the carrying strap 6 Interchangeable focusing screens 35 Fitting the lens 7 Using flash equipment 36 Removing the lens 7 TTL flash-exposure control 36 Inserting and checking the batteries 8 Depth-of-field lever 40 Quick-wind lever 10 Depth-of-field scale on lens 40 Inserting the film 11 Self-timer 4I Rewinding and removing the film 13 Multiple exposures 4I Setting the film speed 13 Lens hoods 42 Exposure-metering modes 14 Holding the camera 43 Full-field integral mode 15 Automatic diaphragm 44 Selectivemode 15 Construction of LEICA-R lenses 44 Working diagram of exposure meter 16 LEICA M lenses on LEICA R-E 46 Switching on the exposure meter 18 Filters and their use 47 Using the exposure meter at full aperture 18 Care of the LEICA R-E 48 Using the exposure meter at working aperture 18 Motor-Winder, Motor-Drive 49 Automatic range for time exposures 19 Electronic control unit 50 Low-light warning 20 Handgrip for Motor-Winder and Motor-Drive 50 Manual override control 20 DB-2 LEICA R Databack 51 Shutter-speed setting ring 22 Camera cases 52 Program selection 23 Interchangeable lenses 52 Aperture priority, integral mode 24 Camera spare parts 52 Aperture priority, selective mode 26 Interchangeable focusing screens 52 Manual setting of shutter speed, selective mode 28 Enlarger 53 The viewfinder as composition and control centre 30 Projectors 53 Eyepiece adjustment 32 Binoculars 53 Correction lenses 32 Technical data 55 Eyecup 33 Alphabetical index 58View original page 4
Page 5 · Read text
Brief description
I Window to illuminate shutter-speeddisplay
2 Window for display of aperture scale
3 Self-timer LED
4 Coaxial flash-cable contact
5 Eyelet for carrying strap
6 Depth-of-field lever
7 Bayonet lock
uEg8 Electronic self-timer Focusing ring
l0 Depth-of-field scale
l 1 Red dot for alignment of
interchangeablelenses
12 Aperture setting ring
13 Override lock
t4 ISO film-speed control window
15 Override setting lever
t6 Override scale
t7 Film-speed setting ring
t8 Hinged rewind crank
l9 Locking button for setting film speed (ISO)
and battery test (C)
20 LED for battery test
2 l Accessory shoe with central hot-shoe
and control contacts
22 Display of set program mode
23 Film-plane mark
24 Shutter release,with screw socket
for cable release
25 Shutter-speedsetting ring
2g 26 Quick-wind lever to wind film and
cock shutter
27 Automatic frame counter
28 Program selector with locking buttonView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
2930 3l 2930 EyepieceEyepiece shutteradjustment
3 1 Viewfinder eyepiece with provision for
correction lenses
32 Film-cartridge window
33 Contacts for cablefree databack
(visible when back is open)
34 Contacts for Motor-Winder and Motor-Drive
35 Cap for battery compartment
36 th" A type socket thread for tripod
37 Rewind release and double-exposure buttonView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
Attaching the carrying strap To attach the carrying strap to the eyelets (5): O Slide back the safety loop at the end of the strap (Fig. a). O Remove the metal hook from the strap (Fig. b and c). O Insert the hook in the eyelet (5), with the bent part of the hook parallel to the side of the camera (Fig. d and e). O Insert the strap through the open end and narrow part of the hook, then turn through 90o for a proper seating on the D-shaped loop (Fig. f, g and h). O Slide the safety loop fully home over the hook (Fig. i and j).View original page 7
Page 8 · Read text
Fitting the lens Removingthe lens To avoid damage to your LEICA R-E, do Grip the lens by the fixed ring (10).Pressin not attempt to fit any lens that does not the bayonet lock (7) on the camera body. have a control cam for a LEICA R camera Turn the lens anticlockwise and remove. (seepage45). Always change lenses in the shade or in To insert a LEICA R-Lens regardless of your body's shadow. the focus and aperture settings,proceed as follows: Grip the lens by the fixed ring (10).Position the red dot (11)on the lens mount opposite the dot on the bayonet lock (7) on the camerabody.Insert the lens in this position. A slight clockwise turn clicks the lens into position.View original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
Inserting and checking the batteries button (19)for about 5 s. If the battery cells The exposuremeter and shutter releaseof are in working order, the red LED (20) in the LEICA R-E are powered by two silver front of the test button lights. If in thesefive oxide button cells or a lithium cell; see secondsthe LED dims noticeably, the cells page 9 for list of suitable battery cells. are nearly flat and should be replaced as Insert a coin in the slot of the battery cap soon as possible. (35) to unscrew. Use a clean cloth to wipe If the LED does not light, the outside of off any oxidization on the surface of the the battery cells may have oxidized. If so, battery cells and insert the batteries in the simply wipe them clean. battery cap; position them as marked in the To switch on the camera and activate the battery cap. Screw the cap with the battery LEDs in the viewfinder, press the battery- cells back into the baseplateof the camera. test button (19). Always check the state of the batteries before attempting to take any photographs, especiallywhen the camera has not been used for some time. To do so, pressthe testView original page 9
Page 10 · Read text
Silver oxide button cells To check that the motor batteries are in fact
suitable for the LEICA R-E supplying power to the exposure meter an
Duracell D 357 (10 L 14) the viewfinder displays, press the battery-
EverReady EPX 76 test button (19), at the same time switching
Maxell SR 44 on the exposure meter, e.g. by pressing
National SR 44 the locking button to the selector switch
Philips 357 (see page 18: Switching on the exposureRay-O-Vac Panas357
Sony SR 44 meter). However, this is not a battery check
Ucar EPX 76 for the motor functions.
Varta V 76 PX
Shutter releasewithout batteriesLithium cells You can still use the camera when the bat-suitable for the LEICA R-E tery cells are flat or have been removed.Duracell DL r/gN To do so, set the shutter speed to B or 100Philips CRl/s N
Ucar 2 L 76 (see page 22).
Varta CRr/g N
Notes on battery care and use:
Caution: Store battery cells in a cool, dry place.
Alwaysremovethe battery cells if the camera Never use old and new battery cells together.
is unlikely to be used for some time. Do not mix battery cells of different makes.
These battery cells are not rechargeable.
Note: When a Motor-Winder or Motor- Batteries contain toxic and environmentally
Drive is fitted, the camera is powered by the damaging substances.Do not discard used
batteries of the motorized film transport, battery cells, but return them to your camera
i.e. you cannot check the camera'sbatteries. dealer for recycling.View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
Quick-wind lever The quick-wind lever (26) winds the film, cocks the shutter. and turns the frame counter (27). When you hinge out the lever in the stand- by position, there is room to slide your thumb behind it and firmly support the camera. For use with a Motor-Winder or Motor- Drive, see the user manual supplied with the motor unit. The € symbol (23) marks the film plane.View original page 11
Page 12 · Read text
Right Wrong Inserting the film Pull up the rewind crank as far as it will go Pull up the rewind crank (18) and knob past and insert the film cartridge in the empty the springresistanceto releaseand open the cartridgechamber, then push in the rewind camera back.* This also resets the frame crank. The edge of the film must be parallel counter to S (start). with the film guide. As you move the quick- Pick up the film cartridge as shown above, wind lever, the sprockets of the transport with the emulsion side facing up. Slide the drum must engagein the edge perforations end of the film obliquely from above into of the film. one ofthe slots ofthe take-up spool, making sure that the f,rlmis gripped by at least one of the retaining clips and projects under the next clip. * : The procedure is identical when a databack is fitted.View original page 12
Page 13 · Read text
Use the quick-wind lever to wind the film Snap the camera back shut to close the
one frame forward, to ensure that it lies ten- camera. Releasethe shutter. Wind the film
sioned in the film guide and that the mouth one frame forward, release the shutter
of the cartridge does not project too far. again, then wind on one more frame. The
You may occasionally wish to take out a camera is now ready for use. The frame
partly exposed film and later insert it again. counter (27) stands at 1. It counts up to
To ensure that the film is always inserted "36". To indicate the various lengths of
under the same conditions, use the quick- film available, the figures "20", "24", and
wind lever to cock the shutter. then release "36" are marked in red.
the shutter before you insert the film.
Important:
Bright light may enter through the mouth of
the cartridge and damage your film. Never
insert a film in bright light.View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
Setting the film speed Rewinding and removing the exposedfilm
To set the film speed in ISO units, press Exposure of the last frame blocks the action
the locking button (19) and turn the setting of the quick-wind lever. Rewind the film
rine (17) at the same time until the window into its cartridge before removing it from
(14) displays the required film speed. The the camera.Pressthe rewind releasebutton
display of all ISO values is split, e,g. for (37) in the camera'sbaseplate,hinge out the
ISO 100/210,100appearsin the lowerwindow rewind crank and turn it clockwise in the
and2l in the upper. direction indicated by the arrow until you
The setting range covers all values from feel a slight resistance as the film is pulled
ISO I2/l2o to 3200/36" inclusive. out of the take-up spool. Pull up the rewind
crank and knob to open the camera back,
and remove the cartridge with the exposed
film.
To use a MOTOR-WINDER R or MOTOR-
DRIVE R",see the manual supplied with the
winder or drive.View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
Fu11-flreldintegral exposure metering Selective exposure metering
The LEICA R-E has an exposure-meter The exposure meter measuresthe light that
systemthat provides two alternative modes: passes through the lens (TTL exposure-
tl Full-field integral mode metering system). It uses a silicon photo-
O Selective mode diode, placed in the base of the camera to
protect it from stray light. When you use
These exposure-metering modes are linked any LEICA Rlens with an automatic spring-
to the automatic shutter control. For back diaphragm, the exposure meter works
manual control ofthe shutter speed,choose at full aperture. The symbol displayed in the
program @. In this program the exposure window (22) next to the program selector
meter is in selective mode. (28) and at the lower left of the viewfinder
indicates the mode selected.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
Full-field integral mode Selective mode Most photographic subjects contain details This is the method of choice when the sub- of varied brightness. The light reflected by ject has a very wide brightness range and this type of subject has a mean grey value of the correct exposure of a certain detail is 180/0,i. e. it is the same as that of a standard particularly important. grey area that reflects 180/oof the light it The large central circle in the viewfinder receives.This is the calibration value for all indicates the field covered in this mode, in exposure meters. which the exposure meter measures only The full-field integral mode is suitable for the light reflected by the exact area of the all subjectsin normal light, with no extremes subject that you want to determine the of light or colour, and where the light and exposure. The field is the same size on all dark areasare fairly evenly distributed over focusing screensand for all lenses,whatever the entire visual field. For this type of subject, their focal length, and is clearly marked in chooseone ofthe programs that use the full- the viewfinder. For selective mode, choose field integral mode E (see page 24). programs @ and @ (see pages 26 and28).View original page 16
Page 17 · Read text
Rangeof exposuremeter The left side ofthe diagram shows the came-
In integral mode, the exposure meter has a ra's working range. In the column of shutter
range from 0.25 cdlmz to 125000 cdlm2 at speeds Tv, the long time-exposure range
f/1.4. For ISO I00/2I" film this is equal to from 1s to 15 s is overprinted on a
the standardexposurevalues Ev + lto +20, grey screen. The aperture range is marked
i. e. from I s at f/1.4 to 1/zooos at f/22. along the base.
In selective mode, its range is from I cdlm2 A typical example marked in red, shows
to 125000 cdlm2 at f/1.4. For ISO I00/2Io how these values correlate. Assuming a film
film this is equal to the standard exposure speedof ISO 400/ 2V",follow the vertical line
valuesEv + 3 to * 20, or Llqs atf / I.4 to l/zooos to the point where it intersectswith the hori-
at f/22. zontal line for brightness, in this case 0.5
The diagram on page 16 gives all necessary cdlmz, typical for night-time photography.
data for the exposure-metering system of the The diagonal which passes through this
LEICA R-E, such as sensitivity and range. point of intersection leads to the relevant
exposure value, in this case Ev 4. Various
Working diagram of the exposure meter combinations of aperture and shutter speed
The diagram shows the relationship between can produce this value. For correct expo-
film speedSv and brightnessBv on the one sure, the points of intersection of the verti-
hand, and between shutter speed Tv and cal Av and the horizontal Tv lines must
aperture Av on the other, together with the always lie exactly on a diagonal Ev line. In
resulting exposure value Ev. The diagram is the example, three such combinations are
in two parts connected by diagonal lines shown:A: stop 2 atr/+s; B: stop 8 at 4 s;
that represent the exposure values Ev. On and C: stop 16 at 15 s.
the right, you can find the brightness value With aperture priority, the camera automa-
Bv determined by the exposuremeter. The tically sets the shutter speed in accordance
adjacent grey wedges indicate the working with the preset stop and the exposure value
range of the exposure meter in selective (O) determined by the exposure meter.
and integral (f) modes. The film speedsSv
are marked acrossthe top.
www.orphancameras.coml6View original page 17Page 19 · Read text
Full-aperture exposuremetering
Practically every LEICA R lens has an auto-
matic spring-back diaphragm. This means
that, when you take an exposure-meter
reading, a spring opens the diaphragm to
full aperture regardless of the preset stop
an then closes it again to the required
aperture setting for the exposure.
Working-aperture exposure metering
Some lensesand accessoriesdo not have an
automatic spring back diaphragm or lack
the linkage mechanism for it. This applies,
for example, to those with a focal length
Switching on the exposuremeter of 400 mm or more, and to the Focusing
There are three ways to switch on the expo- Bellows R. In these cases, you have to
sure meter ofyour LEICA R-E: presslightly obtain the exposure-meter reading at
on the shutter-releasebutton (24) as far as working aperture, stopping up or down to
the first pressure point; press the locking adjust the amount of light reaching the
button to the selector switch (28); or press exposure meter's photocell.
the battery-test button (19). When the
exposure meter is switched on, the LED Note: To prevent wrong exposurevalues, do
display in the viewfinder lights. not press the depth-of-field lever while the
If the shutter is cocked when you releasethe exposuremeter is in use.
button you have used to activate the system,
the LEDs continue to light for about 12 s. If
the shutter is not cocked, they go out at
once.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 19Page 20 · Read text
Time exposures You can also measure the light at full aper-
In the LEICA R-E, the exposure meter's ture, compute the shutter speedfor any other
working range depends on the sensitivity of stop, and make the exposure at the B setting.
the photodiode, the film-speed setting, and The diagram on page 17 indicates this range
the nominal aperture of the lens in use. by the dotted lines B and C. The measured
The shortest exposure it can measure and shutter speedat stop 2ist/os. At stop 8, the
compute is 1/zooos, the longest is about 15 s. correct exposure would be 4 s, at stop 16 it
is 15s.The viewfinder displaysthe shutter speeds
from r/zooos to Uzs or longer. In addition,
the symbol V is displayed as a low-light
warning, i. e., when there is too little light
for correct exposure. If you release the
shutter in spite of this, the exposure-control
system may compute an incorrect exposure
of up to 15 seconds.
At full f/L.4 aperture in integral mode,
the following are the longest exposures
possible:
ISO 800/30o: r/as
ISO 400/2'lo : rlq s
ISO 200/24o:Uzs
ISO 100/21o: 1 s
ISO 50/18o:2s etc.
For time exposureslonger thanr / +,theview-
finder displays"l/z s or longer". At that point
it no longer matters whether the exposure is
1,2,3,4, 8, or 15seconds,becauseit should
in any casebe made with the camera attached
to a tripod.View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
I\yr-\ \ If you press the shutter release in spite of
this, the exposuremay be undesirablylong,
i. e. up to 15 seconds. You can stop this
immediately by turning the shutter-speed
setting ring to X.
Low-light warning Manual override control (exposurecorrection)
The camerahas a linear measuring range for Exposure meters are calibrated to a standard
correct exposures.When there is too little grey value for an averagephotographic sub-
light for this range, the exposure meter's ject. If the subject does not conform to this
photoelectric cell can no longer produce an standard, manual override correction of the
accurate reading and the exposure that the exposure-meterreading becomes necessary.
viewfinder displays may produce a poor Manual override is more often necessaryin
result. To avoid this, the LEICA R-E has a the full-field integral mode. In selective
low-light warning: a V symbol lights up. mode, the more limited metering field
Caution: In the borderline range the signal makes it possible to measure a represen-
may blink. tative detail with an averagegreyvalue, thus
ensuring accurate measurement.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
Positive override correction
For a very brightly lit subject,such as snow,
sand, or water, the high reflectivity causes
the exposuremeter to indicate too short an
exposure.To prevent such underexposure,
set a slower shutter speed. For snow, for
example, you may have to increase the
exposurefrom l/soos toUrzss, i. e. in this case
set the override control to +2.
Negative override correction To set the override control, pressthe locking
For a very dark subject that reflects only a button (13)and turn the setting scale(16)to
small amount of light, the exposure meter the required value by lever (15).To lock the
indicatestoo long an exposure.To prevent button (13),pressit in and turn it anticlock-
such overexposure,select a faster shutter wise. When the override control is at 0. the
speed,e. g. from rlaotor/rzss, i. e. in this case lever (15) fits snugly into the camera body.
set the override control to - 1. The override control can be set in steps of
one-third of an exposurevalue, from Ev +2
to Ev -2. At the extremes of the ISO scale.
the override control's working range is
strictly limited.
When override is active, the shutter-speed
display in the viewfinder indicates the actual
shutter speedset and the symbol V flashes
at bottom left.View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
If two diodes light at the same time, the
camera computes an intermediate value.
For using non-system electronic flash
units*, set the shutter speed to X. At B,
the shutter remains open as long as you
hold the shutter releasepresseddown. The
resistance between 2 and X is slightly
greater than for other settings, to prevent
a non-automatic shutter speed being set
inadvertently.
When the shutter-speedsetting ring is set to
B or 100,you can releasethe shutterwithout
batteries. The 100 setting is for a shutter
Shutter-speedsetting ring speedofr/roos and for synchronized electro-
In prograffi @, you have to set the shutter nic flash. It is also available for emergency
speed manually with the setting ring. The use when the battery is unserviceable.
spring-loaded setting ring engages at all In the X, B, and 100settings,the exposure
settingvaluesmarked. Do notattemptto set meter is not in use even when power is
it to an intermediate value. The camera's supplied by button-type batteries or ano-
electronics automatically compute all shut- ther power source. To indicate this the
ter speedsfrom 1/zooos to rlz s. upper triangular LED in the viewfinder
In programs E and @, the shutter-speed lights up.
setting ring may be set to any value except
X, B, or 100. When the camera is set for
aperture priority and is switched on, it
automatically computes any value from
1/zooos to about 15 s and displays it by
light diodes on the right-hand side of the
viewfinder, down to a shutter speedof l/z s. * See page 36: Flash unitsView original page 23From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.