35mm ó 40mm?

[Shab]

Hi,

I'm new in this forum and also I will be a new user of a rangerfinder camera user. Until now I have always used a SLR (now DSLR) but I want to try with this type of camera/photography style. Why? Because I want to make a new proyect about people. When I go to walk with my Olympus E-3 + 11-22mm I seem a hunter, with my big instrument! I want to walk with a light camera, mechanical use.

I think a Bessa R3M or R4M is a good option to make this proyect, but I have a question: I LOVE 28mm and I want to take portraits... so I need a camera that can use 28mm and 35mm (or 40mm). I think I have two options:

a) R4M + 28mm + 35mm
b) R3M + 40mm + 28mm + Viewfinder.

Which is the best ?

Thanks!

 

[noimmunity]

Hi,

I'm new in this forum and also I will be a new user of a rangerfinder camera user. Until now I have always used a SLR (now DSLR) but I want to try with this type of camera/photography style. Why? Because I want to make a new proyect about people. When I go to walk with my Olympus E-3 + 11-22mm I seem a hunter, with my big instrument! I want to walk with a light camera, mechanical use.

I think a Bessa R3M or R4M is a good option to make this proyect, but I have a question: I LOVE 28mm and I want to take portraits... so I need a camera that can use 28mm and 35mm (or 40mm). I think I have two options:

a) R4M + 28mm + 35mm
b) R3M + 40mm + 28mm + Viewfinder.

Which is the best ?

Thanks!

Welcome!
I can't decipher which FL you want to use more. But I'd say the R4M is probably your best bet. However, if maintaining eye contact or simply line of sight is an important part of the rapport you want to share with your subjects, then it has to be the R3M, which will allow you to snap away with both eyes wide open. A 40/2 summicron/M-rokkor and a 28/3.5 CV Color Skopar would make a sweet ultra-compact pair for the streets (for low light you might need a faster lens) while the external CV 28 viewfinder for the R3M would add a bit of intrigue to the way your camera presents you.

 

[Spyderman]

Really depends which f.l. you like more.

If 28, then I would vote for the R4. You get paralax corrected framelines, viewfinder combined with rangefinder (no RF in external viewfinder with R3).

From my experience 40mm can be used with 35mm frameline in viewfinder - the framelines are rather conservative anyway.

 

[Hiyawaan]

Keep in mind that SLR lens can be focused much closer than a RF's.

 

[Tom A]

The R4 has the advantage of having a 28 frame, without any other frames showing. However, the 40mm would be using the 35 frame (or 50) and that is getting small (particularly the 50 frame). You might consider the R2M or A instead. It has the 28 frame (tight view) and a good clear 35 for the 40 mm.
Depending on your budget, I would recommend the 40f1.4 Nokton, either SC or MC. It is nice to have that extra stop occasionally. As for 28's - either the Ultron 28f2.0 or, if you can find one, the Color Skopar 28f3.5.
Alternatively, if you go for the R4, look at the 25f4 Color Skopar - P version (coupled to rangefinder) - it gives you a bit more "view" than the 28.
The R3 has a spectacular finder for 40mm and beyond, but with the 28 you will need an aux. finder on top. Adds bulk and cost.
If the wide 28/25 is going to be your primary lens, go for the R4 and later you can add a R3 for the 40. Two bodies, two lenses is a comfortable kit to carry.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I have both cameras, the R3A and the R4A. I use the 75/3.5, 40/1.4, 25/4 and 15/4.5. This last lens needs a supplementary viewer on either camera. I also have a 2/50 Summitar. Both cameras have framelines for 50mm but on the R4A it's small.

As you favour wide angle then I'd choose the R4A. The only supplementary view you'd need (and it's optional) would be for a 50mm lens to give you a better view if the camera VF didn't suit. if you chose the R3A then you'd need supplementary finders for more than one lens. (Anything shorter than 40mm).

For what you're talking about, a 35 mm lens would be pretty much standard. I personally like the 28 as a standard wide angle but I do landscapes and interiors quite often and find the 25 is a better choice for me. It's only an opinion but I think a 28 is too close to 35 and 35 is too close to 40.
So, bearing in mind your preference for subject matter I'd pick an R4A and, if only two lenses, then I'd go for a 50/2.5 Color Skopar and 28/2 or maybe the 28/3.5 for economy but if you are looking to the future and possibly expanding your lens choice by adding a 35/1.4 Nokton 35mm and 25/4P or 28 mm - so I'd go 50 and 25 now and add the 35 later.
I don't see that apertures of 2.5 or 3.5 or even 4 are going to be an inhibitor as you'll probably be using ISO400 film for your subject type. Doesn't sound like you're going to be doing 16x20 portraits!

 

[RayPA]

It you like to take portraits then you should probably be looking for a camera that gives you good 75 and 90 frame lines and also gives you 28 frame lines. I don't know the Bessa line very well, but for Leica start with the M4-P.


/

 

[Shab]

Keep in mind that SLR lens can be focused much closer than a RF's.

Yes, I know it and it is important thing! Now I'm trying to take portraits with my E-3+11-22mm at the equivalent of 28mm, 36mm, 40mm from distance superior to 0,7m.

About 2 bodies... I'm think it can be an interesting way... maybe I will try with the R4M and a 28mm lens. It can be my first rangefinder experience and if it's a good experience then I can go for the R3M abd the 40mm 1.4...

Thank you very much!

P.D.: Leica sounds very expencive...

 

[Leigh Youdale]

People or Portraits?

People or Portraits?

Take note of what RayPA is saying. Wide angle lenses are unkind to people and the wider they are (the lenses) the more distortion you'll get. Ideal lenses for portraits are usually around 80mm focal length. The 75mm Cv is pretty much on the money. If, when you originally said "people" you meant "portraits" then everything I said about the R4A is redundant. The R3A gives you 90, 75, 50, 40 framelines and you'd use a supplementary viewfinder for anything from 35mm down.

 

[Shab]

Take note of what RayPA is saying. Wide angle lenses are unkind to people and the wider they are (the lenses) the more distortion you'll get. Ideal lenses for portraits are usually around 80mm focal length. The 75mm Cv is pretty much on the money. If, when you originally said "people" you meant "portraits" then everything I said about the R4A is redundant. The R3A gives you 90, 75, 50, 40 framelines and you'd use a supplementary viewfinder for anything from 35mm down.

I'm think people on his enviroment, not protrait. For portrait would be other lenses, like you say... Thank you very much!

here you can see an example:



It's a 7mm (14mm in 24x36 format).

ISO1600
Av: F4.0
Tv: 1/8

 

[Spyderman]

Nice capture.

I think the Bessa R4a/m would be great for you with viewfinder for lenses as wide as 21mm.

You can always add a cheap Bessa R2 to your kit later for 35 and longer lenses, or a R3 if you want something even longer (and have the money).

 

[Jipe]

Hello,

I've got a R3A with a M-Rokkor 40mm since few time and I like to use them.
However, I found the 40mm frame a little bit difficult to use because it's large in the viewer and I have to put my eye close to the glass to see the whole of it.
I think it will become ok with more practice. Also note that it is my first use of RF cameras.

Regards

 

[payasam]

How about a 28-50 combination? You could use the 28 most of the time, and the 50 will allow you to frame tighter than a 35 will. A 35 is also pretty close to a 28.