It was good while it lasted.

[Tun]

It all started with a Russian camera a FED 2 and a Jupiter 50mm lens when i ventured into the rangefinding world. Having witness how it died in my hands after a few traveling trips, i realised not all russian stuff can be ever lasting. i finally took the plunge and got myself a Bessa R2a and an Ultron 35/f.17. A total set up cost of USD600+ was a real damage to my pocket.

I really love that CV combination alot and fell into deeper love with it when i brought it along for my cambodia and vietnam trip. However, i was not impressed with it anymore when i was in the vallys of Sapa. The camera drains off my battery very quickly and i eventually used up all my LR44 batteries. The weather was cold there, thus becoming hungrier and ate up my batteries so quickly. If this weather is too cold for bessa R2A to survive, i doubt it can work in Alaska...
Being the only camera that i can use for that period of time when it was getting dimmer, i felt so handicapped and told myself i will sell my camera when i get back to my country and get a mechanical body instead.

So i did...sold my camera away and have not yet decide which camera to go for next. But i actually do miss my Bessa R2a and Ultron.

Here are some of the pics that i like very much, taken with the above mentioned members.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

 

[steamer]

Great photos, I think you'll be OK with whatever camera you decide on.

 

[Roger Hicks]

LR44s evaporate as compared with SR44s; I regard LR44 as an emergency measure if I can't get SR44s.

Try the battery change before you sell the camera.

Cheers,

R.

 

[payasam]

You'll be on familiar territory with a mechanical Bessa and an Ultron.

 

[ampguy]

Maxell Lithium batteries can be purchased for as low as USD $0.30 cents each, and non name brand Alkalines for USD 12 cents each.

Does the R2A use batteries more than an M6 classic or film SLR? I check my other button battery cameras for corrosion and voltage at least once a year, and at least my Chinon is going for 2+ years on the same pair of LR44s. I only got a couple or few months per pair (or 1/3N 3V) in my M6 Classic, but I'm not sure if I always set it on "B" to turn it completely off.

 

[wlewisiii]

I'm with Roger - try different batteries. Those are croaking way too fast. The other option is,of course, a mechanical camera but those can have their "interesting" moments if you choose the wrong lube.

William

 

[oscroft]

Yep, I never use LR44s except in emergencies - I always use SR44s. In addition to not lasting as long, the voltage from LR44s drops off with use too - SR44s keep their voltage pretty much constant until they die.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I'm assuming the R2A is similar to my R3A. If I don't turn the meter off (that little lever around the shutter button) then I get battery drain even if I have the lens cap on.
If all else fails as you like the camera and lens - look at the R4M.

 

[Bill58]

I get my SR44s from these fine guys: http://www.batteryguys.com/shop/catalog/category_7_batteries_Camera_Batteries_page_3.html

 

[nzeeman]

beautiful photos. looking ate them i think maybe mechanical r3m and nokton40/1.4 will be your ideal next combination. r3m have 40mm framelines if i am correct...

 

[Florian1234]

Are those photos made on slide film? Wonderful results - apart from the cock-fight, but one has to respect those stuff, too. :angel:

 

[Avotius]

Love those photos, great stuff going on in the mind behind the camera there for sure.

I have and R2a and a M6ttl, my M6ttl eats batteries like crazy usually only lasting about 8-10 rolls of film. My R2a on the other hand takes about 40 rolls before the batteries start to flash the warning. I use them here in China where it is either very very hot (43+ C) or very very bitterly cold and no problems at all. The batteries I use are GP LR44's which costs about 1.5 Chinese yuan each.

 

[maddoc]

Your photos tell interesting stories, like these a lot.

My M6TTL is on its 25th roll of film since I got it in April, never switched the meter off and carry it in my bag with installed soft-release and the batteries (no idea how old) are still good.

 

[ampguy]

Good points about trying SR44s, as well as lithium LR44s. SR44s with silver oxide typically have 30% more mAh which in some cameras will make them last longer, depending on specific camera, battery specs, and temperatures.

LR44 Alkalines, and Lithium chemistry batteries do not "evapororate", and like the SR44s can last as long as 40-600 hours of use, depending again on load, and temperatures. Roger may be thinking of Zinc Air batteries which do evaporate once the seal is pulled from the holes, whether there is draw on them or not.

What do Leica (M6, M7, and MP) and CV spec out for batteries? If it's a non-regulated electronic shutter, it would be best to not underrate the battery. If it's mechanical, and the battery is for metering only, it may not be worth paying 10x the costs, for no or little longer battery life than a good LR44, IMHO.

It's a shame that these more expensive cameras do not have a regulated meter and shutter like the low cost Yashica Electro GSN which has a 30 second shutter like the M7, or a mechanical shutter, with electronic metering like the Chinon CM-5 which lasts on LR44s for years.

 

[Tun]

Thanks guys for the prompt replies and those who like the photos.

The only rangefinder that is left now and probably won't be seeing another user is my Olympus XA. It uses LR44 and it has better battery consumption. Ever since after my Bessa R2a and Ultron has left me, this camera has been quite a good substitution.

I should have been more aware of different types of batteries. I failed to give the best for my bessa. Thinking of it, it was quite an impulsive act of me to quickly sell my camera away. Doing that didnt make me a few hundred dollars richer, at least for now.

I appreciate so many suggestions that's coming in for now. But i dont think im buying a new camera soon, maybe when there's really some good deals in RFF or when im richer? Lately so many things have happened, it just seems to me that, i shouldn't be taking so many photographs. I've lost hope in dreams and pursing my passion.

Therefore, it was all good while it lasted and its only for reminiscence sake now.

 

[sockeyed]

Excellent work, Tun. You've captured a side of Sapa that is less seen than most.

I think that you must have had bad batteries, as I used an R3A and R3M for a long time in all sorts of hot and cold conditions with no problems. Now I use an R4M which performs just as well.

If you're looking for something new, I might suggest an R2M plus the new CV 35mm f/1.4, a great lens which is smaller and more ergonomic than the Ultron. For a really great kit, you might consider a Leica M6 (which you should be able to find at $1000-1100 in good condition) and the CV 35mm f/1.4. While the R2A/M is a great camera, the M6 is a step up.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Good points about trying SR44s, as well as lithium LR44s. SR44s with silver oxide typically have 30% more mAh which in some cameras will make them last longer, depending on specific camera, battery specs, and temperatures.

LR44 Alkalines, and Lithium chemistry batteries do not "evapororate", and like the SR44s can last as long as 40-600 hours of use, depending again on load, and temperatures. Roger may be thinking of Zinc Air batteries which do evaporate once the seal is pulled from the holes, whether there is draw on them or not.

What do Leica (M6, M7, and MP) and CV spec out for batteries? If it's a non-regulated electronic shutter, it would be best to not underrate the battery. If it's mechanical, and the battery is for metering only, it may not be worth paying 10x the costs, for no or little longer battery life than a good LR44, IMHO.

It's a shame that these more expensive cameras do not have a regulated meter and shutter like the low cost Yashica Electro GSN which has a 30 second shutter like the M7, or a mechanical shutter, with electronic metering like the Chinon CM-5 which lasts on LR44s for years.

Sorry, I was using 'evaporate' in a more figurative sense, i.e. that they do not last anything like as long. I was surprised to learn from your post that SR44 batteries have only about 30% more mAh than LR44; from experience of battery life in Leica (MP) and Voigtländer (most) I'd assumed it was much greater.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Solinar]

I've had battery issues in very cold weather - but it was minus 12 Fahrenheit and the camera had been left in the cold the entire night before. The camera was an old Pentax Super ME SLR. Since then, I make it a point to bring at least one all-mechanical camera with me.

A note about my Bessa R - it has not had any cold weather issues.

 

[shadowfox]

Tun, your photos would make excellent additions to the samples of Ultron 35/1.7 shots asked here once in a while. 🙂

 

[ampguy]

Also, excellent film and processing, what kind of film?