Terao
Kiloran
I'm borrowing a friend's M7 for a week. Is this going to be the start of an M-body addiction? Or will I still prefer my Bessa R4M? My bank manager fears the former!
One practical question, is it possible to use the outside of the finder frame to approximate a 25mm FOV? I'm likely to be using my 25mm Biogon a fair bit on this body and whilst I have an external finder for it if I've got a Leica finder I'm sure as hell gonna make use of it
One practical question, is it possible to use the outside of the finder frame to approximate a 25mm FOV? I'm likely to be using my 25mm Biogon a fair bit on this body and whilst I have an external finder for it if I've got a Leica finder I'm sure as hell gonna make use of it
oscroft
Veteran
An M and an R4 make a lovely combination ;-)
like2fiddle
Curious
Terao said:One practical question, is it possible to use the outside of the finder frame to approximate a 25mm FOV? I'm likely to be using my 25mm Biogon a fair bit on this body and whilst I have an external finder for it if I've got a Leica finder I'm sure as hell gonna make use of it
Yes to your question of using the outside of the the finder frame. My adaptor brings up the 28 frame lines with the CV 25 and it's close enough to the actual outside of the finder frame that it might as well be the outside of the finder window.
Have fun!
Avotius
Some guy
Oh boy, it was all over for me when I handled a M7 in a shop. It all rung the right bells, the only thing that saved me is that I couldn't afford it. I can now, trying hard not to bite.
Terao
Kiloran
Camera has the .85 finder so I guess the outer limits of the finder won't be 25mm.
First impressions:
bigger than I thought
lighter than I thought
A bit plasticky, particularly the winder and ISO selector (but I'm used to the butter smooth and heavy metal winder on my Canon P)
Easier to load than I thought (easier/quicker than any hingeback manual 35 IMO)
Best meter display I've seen (can even see it with my glasses on, a rarity)
No film reminder window
Loaded with Kodachrome and ready to go, can't wait to use it properly
However, the R4M certainly isn't crying gently to itself on the shelf. The Bessa T is though as its been relegated from its never-ready case and place in the bag to make space for the M7!
First impressions:
bigger than I thought
lighter than I thought
A bit plasticky, particularly the winder and ISO selector (but I'm used to the butter smooth and heavy metal winder on my Canon P)
Easier to load than I thought (easier/quicker than any hingeback manual 35 IMO)
Best meter display I've seen (can even see it with my glasses on, a rarity)
No film reminder window
Loaded with Kodachrome and ready to go, can't wait to use it properly
However, the R4M certainly isn't crying gently to itself on the shelf. The Bessa T is though as its been relegated from its never-ready case and place in the bag to make space for the M7!
Terao
Kiloran
Also, as I have no particular need for AE, I see a low-mag M6 in my future
BillP
Rangefinder General
Couple of points -
On the .85, the whole viewfinder can be used to approximate the 28mm FOV.
"Film reminder" is provided by either manually setting the film speed on the dial on the back, or leaving it at DX and looking through the viewfinder as you turn it on - it will display the loaded ISO for a couple of seconds.
Regards,
Bill
On the .85, the whole viewfinder can be used to approximate the 28mm FOV.
"Film reminder" is provided by either manually setting the film speed on the dial on the back, or leaving it at DX and looking through the viewfinder as you turn it on - it will display the loaded ISO for a couple of seconds.
Regards,
Bill
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Resistance is futile.Terao said:
You're doomed.
Terao
Kiloran
BillP said:
Ah yes but that doesn't tell me slide/neg colour/b&W
A manual dial would suffice, similar to the one of my Dad's "poor man's M3".
In this case I'm unlikely to forget as I intend to burn through that Kodachrome pretty quickly but long-term shooting it would be a pain. I guess I'll go back to masking tape and a pencil...
hlockwood
Well-known
Terao said:
To answer your lead-in question: yes, you are doomed. Get the M7; you won't look back.
edodo
Well-known
why not selling you bessa and get a old M? Like that you might explore the sunny 16 system wich is so liberating!
foggie
the foggiest
"My bank manager fears the former!"
Did you mean your wife?
Did you mean your wife?
icebear
Veteran
As only Gabriel and Harry answered to your headline question : Yes, YOU ARE DOOMED, no doubt about that. Have fun with it - as a retreat option there should always be a used M6 around if you don't insist on AE. Happy shooting .
.
amateriat
We're all light!
northpole
Established
Quite simple really - locate a .72 finder M7.
The AE is a complete idiotic waste of time - that is, until you have used it for a while, and then you may change your mind - depending on what you are photographing.
Peter
The AE is a complete idiotic waste of time - that is, until you have used it for a while, and then you may change your mind - depending on what you are photographing.
Peter
Ha ha...northpole said:
For me AE is the main justification for having a built-in meter -- and it is seductively useful; without AE I'd prefer to be using an incident meter. I think I might like and M7...
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Terao
Kiloran
Back from a week shooting with the M7, a Ricoh GR1v, a Fuji GA645, and Bessa R4M. Given that I rarely use a lens over 50mm the M7 was left feeling rather neglected alongside my R4M, and it was relegated to second and sometimes third body status. Now this is purely down to it having the .85 finder, simply doesn't suit my shooting style.
What I liked about it was the shutter noise, build, and the winder (so smooth). Loading it in the field was a little fiddlier but not too bad. The AE was very useful when I was working quickly although I am very used to manual exposure setting on the R4M.
The one thing I hated about it was the frameline selection. Would be bearable if they were numbered but I just don't get the groupings (surely it would be more sensible to have a single 50mm frameline than pairing it with the 75?). I'd also rather make a manual selection for lenses that don't match a frameline length (e.g. the 40m - personally I'd shoot that using the 50 rather than the 35 so I can crop if required - measure twice, cut once as the saying goes). Given that my most used lenses were 12, 25, 40, and 50 you can see why it ended up feeling a little neglected.
Ultimately though I can see a 0.58 M6 or M7 (or MP?) being added but certainly not at the expense of my R4M, unless I stop using the 25mm lens I use so regularly at the moment.
Ultimately a fun experience that didn't quite meet expectations, a bit like finally taking that hot girl out you've been meaning to ask for ages only to find out the reality doesn't quite meet the fantasy
What I liked about it was the shutter noise, build, and the winder (so smooth). Loading it in the field was a little fiddlier but not too bad. The AE was very useful when I was working quickly although I am very used to manual exposure setting on the R4M.
The one thing I hated about it was the frameline selection. Would be bearable if they were numbered but I just don't get the groupings (surely it would be more sensible to have a single 50mm frameline than pairing it with the 75?). I'd also rather make a manual selection for lenses that don't match a frameline length (e.g. the 40m - personally I'd shoot that using the 50 rather than the 35 so I can crop if required - measure twice, cut once as the saying goes). Given that my most used lenses were 12, 25, 40, and 50 you can see why it ended up feeling a little neglected.
Ultimately though I can see a 0.58 M6 or M7 (or MP?) being added but certainly not at the expense of my R4M, unless I stop using the 25mm lens I use so regularly at the moment.
Ultimately a fun experience that didn't quite meet expectations, a bit like finally taking that hot girl out you've been meaning to ask for ages only to find out the reality doesn't quite meet the fantasy
Bingley
Veteran
"Ultimately a fun experience that didn't quite meet expectations, a bit like finally taking that hot girl out you've been meaning to ask for ages only to find out the reality doesn't quite meet the fantasy"
I hear you. In the last couple of months, I've been able to shoot with an M2 and an M4. Definitely nice cameras, and I enjoyed using them. But I did not feel any magic, or that they were superior to my Canon P or 7. My Canon P is as quiet as the M2 I used, and is easier to load. I loved the viewfinder on the M4, but it wasn't that much better than the viewfinder on the 7 (ok, the rf patch on the M4 is more sharply defined). I'm glad I got to shoot w/ the Ms, but doing so also made me appreciate Canon rfs all the more.
OK, everyone give me a minute to get into my asbestos suit.....
I hear you. In the last couple of months, I've been able to shoot with an M2 and an M4. Definitely nice cameras, and I enjoyed using them. But I did not feel any magic, or that they were superior to my Canon P or 7. My Canon P is as quiet as the M2 I used, and is easier to load. I loved the viewfinder on the M4, but it wasn't that much better than the viewfinder on the 7 (ok, the rf patch on the M4 is more sharply defined). I'm glad I got to shoot w/ the Ms, but doing so also made me appreciate Canon rfs all the more.
OK, everyone give me a minute to get into my asbestos suit.....
Terao
Kiloran
lol, I know what you mean about the Canons (I have a couple of Ps and need a 7sz). The P is an extraordinary camera for the money and the advance is nearly as good as the M7 on a well CLA'd one. I can also see the 35mm framelines so it suits me.
jackal2513
richbroadbent
500 C/M, its the only way