Leica R4s (1983–1985)
A simplified 35mm SLR introduced to improve sales after early electronic issues with the R4.
Overview
The Leica R4s is a 35mm electromechanical SLR that Leica built from 1983 to 1985. It was a streamlined version of the Leica R4, which had suffered from electronic reliability problems. The R4s dropped the complex exposure modes and kept only aperture priority and manual exposure. People informally called it the "R4 'light'". It was meant to be a more accessible and reliable camera in Leica's SLR lineup. In 1985 came the R4s MOD-P, with improved electronics, shutter speed indication in the viewfinder, and both spot and average metering.
Specifications
| Product type | 35mm SLR camera |
| Exposure modes | Aperture priority and manual (R4s); aperture priority and manual (R4s MOD-P) |
| Viewfinder | No shutter speed indication (R4s); shutter speed indication added (R4s MOD-P) |
| Metering | Both spot and average exposure metering (R4s MOD-P) |
| Electronics | Later reliable electronics (R4s MOD-P) |
| Weight | 630 g |
Design
The R4s is a simplified Leica R4. The program and shutter priority modes are gone, and that makes it more reliable. The R4s MOD-P added ergonomic improvements and a shutter speed display in the viewfinder. The light seals in the MOD-P are foam, with a thicker seal around the film window indicator.
Context
Leica introduced the R4s in 1983 to deal with poor sales and reliability worries over the original R4. The R4 launched in 1980 as Leica's first multi-mode SLR, but it had electronic faults early in production. The R4s used a more dependable electromechanical design. The 1985 R4s MOD-P brought more advanced metering and more reliable electronics, and restored confidence in Leica's SLR system.
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