R3M opinions

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Hey all

I've been shooting with a Contax G1 system for a couple of months, and have gotten some great photos with it. But it's dawning on me that it isn't much fun. It's basically an autofocus camera. Nothing wrong with that, but I would love to have a solid RF system camera with a nice big VF, and the option to switch everything off and fly blind. I'm going to sell some stuff and get another "main" film camera.

The R3M looks just about perfect, and I can upgrade someday, if I happen to find an M6 lying by the side of the road. I'm considering buying one of the anniversary packages from Stephen.

What do you think? How's the build quality, and the feel in the hand? Are you happy with your R3M?

Thanks!

 

[bennyng]

I think the built quality is acceptable for the money. The only thing is that the framelines are 40/50/75/90 mm. If you need to go wider, then the 28/35mm viewfinder will be a great accessory to go with the R3M. If you have no intention of getting the 40mm, perhaps the R2M (35/50/75/90mm) will be a better option, but it's not a 1.0X viewfinder.

Cheers,

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I'd like to get one of the 28mm lenses, but I already have a Voigtlander 28mm finder, which I use on a digital camera.

That said, I'm considering the R4M / 28mm skopar, as well.

 

[Photog9001]

build quality is good. the rf alignment is much discussed, and i was somewhat disappointed with mine in that respect, but instructions on how to fix that are available somewhere on the www. (of course, should it pop out of alignment within a year you could probably have it fixed under warranty).

use wise, i found it a really good 50mm camera, but the 40mm lines didn't impress me. but having a 1:1 finder is rather sweet.. ,-)

how much is a used m6 these days? if i was looking for one now, i'd look at older leicas first but that's a personal pref...

 

[back alley]

only because you mentioned the r4...i would suggest an r4a and the cv 25 lens...it is a sweet set up and just different enough from the 28 to be a whole new & exciting experience.

joe

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I would miss that nice big VF, though...I remain more serious about the R3's at the moment.

 

[pevelg]

40mm framelines are hard to visualize fully with glasses. Also, I was never able to properly focus a 135mm lens. I could focus it on my Zorki and FED5, but whenever I used it with the R3M and adapter, everything would be blurry. Otherwise, it is a very nice camera.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Hmmm...this is a real quandary. I love shooting wide...I'm suddenly beginning to lean towards the R4M.

I wish to hell one of these cameras had framelines for both 28mm and 90mm. That would make everything great. :-(

 

[kxl]

I have an R3A and R3M -- IMHO, they offer the best values in modern RF equipment. I use 35 (approx. entire frame), 50, 75 and 90 on both bodies, and it is INCREDIBLY nice to be able to keep both eyes open when composing.

While I also have an R4A for a 21 and 25, I sometimes use WA lenses on the R3A and R3M, and use a CV angle finder (with appropriate focal length attachments) for composition.

Keith

 

[pevelg]

Hmmm...this is a real quandary. I love shooting wide...I'm suddenly beginning to lean towards the R4M.

I wish to hell one of these cameras had framelines for both 28mm and 90mm. That would make everything great. :-(

Just realize that the R4M has an even shorter EBL, making it that much harder to focus telephoto lenses.

I had difficulty focusing a 135mm on the R3M with a 37 EBL. The R4M has a 19.24 EBL. I think it will be pretty hard to focus even the 90mm.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

If you really want to shoot 28 mm, I would advice, leave the Bessa, and step over - I guess for a little more money - to the Hexar RF, which provides full framing 28mm with the builtquality of an M7.....well its just a thought.... and I really like my Hex of course.

 

[wayneb]

I have the R3A after owning the contax g1 for some time, basically for the same reasons/thinking you outline.

The R3A viewfinder definitely spoils you, it's big and bright. The g1 with the 45 is a tiny squinty viewfinder, without a doubt. I also own the 28mm and it opens up for the wider view and it's not too bad. You definitely spend more time looking through the R3 viewfinder.

I went through 3 or 4 months where I never picked up the G1, but then when I went back to it, it was really nice not to think about the focus ring or film advance (I'll admit to pushing the button on the R3A sometimes and realize the film wasn't advanced, thus missing shots). Part of it is I have a 40mm leica on the R3 and it tiny, which makes for a great travel camera but maybe not the best camera to focus.

 

[steve kessel]

I bought the anniversary set (with 50/2 CV Heliar) on this forum. I've had shutter jam problems which I've heard do occur with this camera. That said, the 1:1 viewfinder is great, especially on 50mm; 40mm is a bit of an eyeball stretch but I find 1:1 makes composition a joy. I later got an old M6 which has some advantages (more framelines, better, more solid feel in the hand) but 0.72 seems so far away and unnatural. Also had to have the viewfinder re-aligned (after dropping it in a bag) and have thought of all kinds of replacements but wouldn't really want to part with it ever I think unless it dies totally.

 

[sockeyed]

I've owned the Bessa R, R3A, R3M and R4M. While I currently don't have an R3#, I have borrowed one from a friend while my Leica M6 is being serviced by DAG. Using it reminds me of what an excellent camera it is - under certain conditions, however. I love 50mm lenses, and it's a brilliant camera for a 50. My favourite setup is a 28 and a 50, so I'm using a Voigtlander 28mm metal finder on the R3M. I zone focus the 28mm most of the time, so the external finder works great for me.

But going back to the R3M reminded me that it's not a great camera for 40mm lenses. I don't have glasses (but I do have a big nose and I'm left eyed), so seeing the 40mm framelines is difficult, and you certainly don't have that benefit of seeing what's going on outside of your framelines.

So:
If you're planning to shoot with 50mm, 75mm or 90mm lenses and are happy with external finders for wides, pick up an R3#

If you shoot alot with 35mm lenses, consider an R2#

If you shoot with 21-35mm lenses and nothing longer, consider an R4#. (it does have 50mm framelines, but they're tiny).

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Yeah....my problem is that I want to shoot, like, 21-28...and 90. For 40 I like using my little Canonet. At the moment I don't have a 50 in anything, although before I decided to do this, I bought a Fed-2 with Industar-61 on eBay, which hasn't yet arrived...I kind of wish I hadn't now, though it was only $45, and I wanted to try out an interchangeable lens manual RF. And I may like it a lot...

Like I said, I already own the metal 28mm finder. It's very nice--I certainly don't mind looking through it, though it's a challenge with my glasses.

The R3M and R3A RF will focus the 21 and 28 lenses, right? It's just the VF that's the issue?

My problem is that I love the lenses I shoot with my G1--28mm and 90mm--but I wish I could feel more in control while shooting with them. And the 90mm often fails to focus where I think it's focusing.

So I suppose where I am is: Since I can shoot 28mm with the G1 (and with the wonderful little Sigma DP1), and 90mm is a bit dodgy on the Contax, I probably ought to get the Anniversary set, enjoy shooting with a 50 for a while, and eventually get...I dunno...maybe a Jupiter-9.

I am liking the sound of that.

 

[back alley]

there is always the little cle with framelines for 28/40/90...

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Aha, forgot about that one...hmm....

 

[zgeeRF]

I have been using an R3M for over a year and like it a lot. I use 50 most of the time as well as a 90mm. It's a great modern camera, pretty well built; no problems with meter or RF alignment. I agree with the others on the 40mm framelines though. The only "problem" is a significantly louder shutter (than a leica) if that matters, and I find that it drains the meter batteries relatively fast, at least mine does. I think it's perfect with the 50.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Yeah, I'm slowly settling on the Anniversary set. There's a part of me that wants aperture priority, but honestly. If many of the greatest photos ever were taken with an M3, then I can certainly live without. And with a really nice meter, too!

After several months experimenting with various RF cameras, it's obvious to me that, if I really enjoy this stuff, then I should have an M- and screwmount-compatible camera; and this one is cheap, beautiful, and will likely hold its value for a while. If I get simultaneously serious and wealthy (ha!) maybe I'll get an M6 or even M7 someday. But I think the Bessa will suit me perfectly for now.

Thanks everyone!

 

[sockeyed]

If you want to shoot with a 90mm, the R3 is definitely your best bet as the finder has the highest magnification and therefore the 90mm framelines will be the largest. It will focus your 21 and 28, of course, but to frame your image you'll need external finders.

If you're new to 50s, you can play with your Industar-61. As with all Russian optics, there is a lot of sample variation, but if you're lucky to get a good one, they can be very good performers. Of course the LTM-M adapter will cost as much as you spent on the camera.

I-61 sample:

BTW, it looks like someone's selling a brand-new R2A plus Zeiss Planar 50 in the classifieds for $1000. Great price!