Table of Contents
- A big step forward compared to the R3
- Differences between Leica R4, R4 Mot, and R4s
- A nearly complete camera
- A pleasure to use
- How much does a Leica R4 cost?
- Comparison with other cameras
A big step forward compared to the R3
Despite the fact that this body was still designed in collaboration with Minolta, it already features the aesthetic elements that would define Leica SLRs that followed (up to the R7).
Unlike the R3, which had a simple, boxy appearance, the R4 truly looks like a high-end camera, matching what one might expect from a Leica.
The materials used are still of high quality, but now combined with a more refined design and improved ergonomics.
Differences between Leica R4, R4 Mot, and R4s
The R4 and R4 Mot are the same cameras.
The R4s, on the other hand, is a simplified version without automatic modes.
The electronics in this model were also improved over time (greater reliability and simplified circuits). It’s worth noting that early versions are harder to repair due to the complexity of their electronics.
Leica R4 cameras were manufactured in Portugal from 1980 to 1986. They share certain parts with the Minolta XD-7 (notably the chassis and shutter).
The Leica R4 can be fitted with a motor drive.
The shutter and light meter require two SR44 batteries to operate.
A nearly complete camera
The camera offers aperture priority and program modes (which I personally never use), as well as a depth-of-field preview.
The fastest shutter speed is 1/1000 of a second. Bulb mode and 1/100 second remain usable without batteries.
However, it lacks mirror lock-up capability. It also does not support TTL flash.
Otherwise, if you don’t use flash or do macro photography, you won’t miss anything.
A pleasure to use
The body alone weighs about average for this type of SLR (around 650 grams). Leica lenses for these cameras, however, tend to be quite heavy. The result is a very stable and pleasant setup to use.
The camera feels great in hand, and the controls are easily accessible.
All essential shooting information (aperture and shutter speed) is visible in the viewfinder.
A small window displays the aperture values from the lens directly in the viewfinder.
How much does a Leica R4 cost?
A working Leica R4 (body only, without a lens) sells for between €120 and €170 on eBay, which remains reasonable for a camera of this quality (price as of May 11, 2025).
Comparison with other cameras
The Leica R4 is the most enjoyable manual SLR I’ve used, although I should note that I don’t have extensive experience with cameras in this range.
The Nikkormat FT/FT2, while perfectly capable, has a simpler, more angular design and is less pleasant to handle. However, it is more robust due to its purely mechanical construction.
The Pentax ME Super is less comfortable to use due to its compact size and gives an impression of fragility.
The camera I’ve used that comes closest to the R4 in terms of quality is the Nikon FM. It’s also a beautiful object, but feels more “professional” and rugged, whereas the R4 seems designed more for user comfort.
Another advantage of these cameras over the Leica R4 is that they cost, on average, about half as much.
Sources : https://www.summilux.net/materiel/Leica-R4
https://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/appareil-4007-Leica_R4%20Mot%20Electronic.html
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monture_Leica_R
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