advice on R4A - buying one?

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aniMal

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Yesterday and today I came as close to buying an M-8 as I think is possible... But once more, I held out - mainly because I do think the price is twice what it should be. That is, for me to be comfortable to use it as a tool not thinking of its welfare more than concentrating on the photography itself...

Having used most Ms over the years, I recently got hold of a good M4-2 which used to be my preferred M.

But what happens? Which camera am I actually using and choosing when I have time off my 100% digital dayjob as a photographer? Almost invariably I use my R2A, even though I am carrying both in a small bag...

Several years ago I considered getting an M1 and fitting a 21mm viewfinder in it, but then the R4A came around...

So, for the few times where I prefer to use a wide angle, what better camera for film could I choose other than the R4A?

At least, that is what I am pondering at the moment... Maybe to get a better film scanner than what I got now, and buying a R4A to add to what I use at the present.

So, if anyone here has anything to tell about actually owning and using an R4A I would be happy!
 
So, for the few times where I prefer to use a wide angle, what better camera for film could I choose other than the R4A?
Click to expand...

None in my opinion. I have a 28mm tied to mine at all times, it is a perfect mate to a wide angle lens.

So, if anyone here has anything to tell about actually owning and using an R4A I would be happy!
Click to expand...

And I don't know what to say other than, No surprises. It is exactly what you think it is and does exactly the positive things you think it will.
 
I can't fault mine. I use 21mm & 35mm lenses. Occasionally I wonder if I should've gone for the R4M, but then I pop the camera out of auto & lo and behold, there it is!
 
This camera has one stupid fault - like all Bessas - it does not balance correctly, so it bends backwards, unless you put a Nokton35/1.2 or something as big and heavy as this lens on. It has one evident compromise to take into account: with the body being quite compact, and the VF being 0.52x you obviously need small lenses to avoid the vignetting of a part of the viewfinder. Beyond this, the only problem I have encountered with mine, is a slightly loose rewind crank in the rewind knob. This becomes a nuisance when I operate the camera single handedly for the street shots at close distance - after geting the shot, I lower my arm and rewind in a vertical position with one hand - at this point the centrifugal force spins the lose crank off a bit, and it jams the rewind knob against the body.

For the rest, it certainly is the best Bessa Rxx to date, and in my opinion, is ideal for a compact 28mm lens, as you get the single 28mm frame choice in the vf and the vision is really splendid. I have the small Elmarit 28/2.8 ASPH sitting on it most of the time. I encourage you to get a good scanner and give it a go with a film like Acros or Delta 100, the results will bury any digital tool.
 
Great - it seems that it is everything I have hoped for...

Then the only problem is actually getting hold of one. Here in Norway it is not for sale off the shelf, so I would have to get it mailed. Which outlet in the US or other countries would be the best? Cameraquest i suppose?
 
Sounds good. I must say there is some difference between the US and GB price!

Will probably decide tomorrow...

CVs having the wrong balance point is really a bit irritating in the start, but it does not bother me too much now. After all I often tend to walk around with in my hand anyway...
 
I would not hesitate to buy from Stephen he is a stand up guy how backs up his products. I've gotten a lot of stuff (e.g. 4 bodies)from him over the year and if he sells it, I go there first. I've had good luck with other vendors, but he is quick with delivery and takes care of things if there is an issue.

B2 (;->
 
Then the single thing that remains is finding a fax machine - seems like that is the only way of ordering from him...

In a way I always prefer to buy at a counter, but in this case the price is very different - and the R4A is not too different from my 2A anyway.
 
aniMal said:
Then the single thing that remains is finding a fax machine - seems like that is the only way of ordering from him...

In a way I always prefer to buy at a counter, but in this case the price is very different - and the R4A is not too different from my 2A anyway.
Click to expand...
You can also cut and paste the fax form into Word and then e-mail Stephen the document. At least that's what I did when I bought my R3A.

Stephen's a nice guy and will process your order very promptly.

Best of luck,
 
Cut and past his order form into a Word document and attach the document to an email.

Not that I have ordered from him.

Should I be so quick admitting to knowing that trick like I solved my worries of how to do it like that?

😀
 
rover said:
Cut and past his order form into a Word document and attach the document to an email.

Not that I have ordered from him.

Should I be so quick admitting to knowing that trick like I solved my worries of how to do it like that?

😀
Click to expand...

It's nice to be prepared for the next GAS attack! 😀

You know it will happen!
 
Stephen is dead easy to work with. I did all of my transaction (R4a, case 2 x lenses) by email. I didn't even use the order form. Everything was delivered promptly. No problems at all.

A word on prices. I bought the lot to be delivered in the US & transported to the UK by family who were coming over on holiday, so I did alright.

If you don't have this dodge it's still cheaper to buy from Stephen, pay the shipping AND if you're unlucky enough to get grabbed by UK customs & pay the VAT it STILL WORKS OUT CHEAPER THAN BUYING FROM UK SUPPLIERS.

Cheers.
 
I bought my R3A (and a few other Bessa accessories) from Stephen.
I sent him a mail with the list of goods and he replied with the total price I needed to pay him.
According to his advice, I wrote my order in the PayPal comments and that's it.
I got everything I ordered wrapped tight and in the most perfect condition.
 
I downloaded the fax form, filled it out, then scanned it on my Epson 4990 and attached the file to an email, then did the PayPal thing.

As for Bessa cameras not balancing properly, get the Voigtlander Side Grip. It has its own strap lug and then the camera will balance perfectly.
 
tedwhite said:
As for Bessa cameras not balancing properly, get the Voigtlander Side Grip. It has its own strap lug and then the camera will balance perfectly.
Click to expand...

I agree, that side grip makes all the difference in the world...
 
The R4 is simply unique, and the necessarily low finder magnifation inevitably results in seeing more of the lens barrel too. That bother annoys some people more than others. I'll put up with it in the interests of a parallax-compensated finder with wide-angle framelines because I'm often rather close to my subjects. A top-mounted accessory finder has more parallax and also has no automatic compensating moving framelines but this is no real drawback for more distant subjects and scenery.

aniMal, if you choose an R4, hope you enjoy it. And in any case, best wishes!
 
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