C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile35mm SLR
Leica R-E1990
- Format
- 35mm
- Mount
- Leica R (bayonet)
- Years
- 1990–1994
- Weight
- 590 g
- Shutter
- 8s – 1/2000s
- Meter
- ttl-averaging
The Leica R-E (1990) is a reduced-specification variant of the Leica R-series, positioned below the R5 and alongside the purely mechanical R6. Where the R5 offered full PASM modes with selective/multi-field metering, the R-E was deliberately pared back: aperture-priority and manual exposure only, with a simpler averaging TTL meter rather than the R5's selective and spot modes. The shutter specification is identical to the R5 — focal-plane vertical metal, 8 seconds to 1/2000s, with a 1/100s mechanical fallback. The flash sync (1/100s) and battery type are also unchanged.
Reference
Find film for your Leica R-E
Recommended film stocks for the 35mm format your camera takes.
ISO 400
BW
Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profileC41
Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 is a daylight-balanced C-41 color negative film with warm color, moderate grain, and a classic consumer-film look.
Develop 35mm film
Labs in our directory that process 35mm film.
Before you buy used
- **Electronics test** — confirm aperture-priority and manual modes work accurately; the R-E is fully battery-dependent except for the 1/100s fallback.
- **Meter accuracy** — averaging meters are simple but confirm the needle responds correctly to changing light.
- **Viewfinder** — check for prism desilvering (hotspots or yellowing at the edges), common on stored R-series bodies.
- **Shutter sounds** — all speeds should sound consistent; electronic shutter drift is the primary service issue.
- **Price context** — R-E bodies frequently sell below R5 prices; at equivalent condition, the R-E is usually the better value unless selective metering is specifically needed.
- **CLA** — have any unserviced R-E cleaned and adjusted before heavy use.
About this camera
Leica's most affordable R-mount SLR — the R6's electronic cousin stripped to aperture-priority and manual, without spot metering, aimed at photographers who wanted R-mount optics at the lowest possible body price.
Key Specs
Frequently asked questions
- What film does the Leica R-E use?
- The Leica R-E shoots 35mm film.
- What battery does the Leica R-E take?
- The Leica R-E uses a 2x CR1/3N lithium or 2x PX76 battery.
- What lens mount does the Leica R-E have?
- The Leica R-E uses the Leica R (bayonet) mount.
- What shutter speeds does the Leica R-E offer?
- The Leica R-E's shutter speeds range from 8s to 1/2000s.
- What light meter does the Leica R-E use?
- The Leica R-E meters with ttl-averaging.
