Bessa R4A - Thinking About Buying One

[tedwhite]

I'm considering buying the R4A primarily for its wide angle framelines. I have owned a Bessa R for a number of years, have used (borrowed) a friend's R3A frequently, so I'm familiar with the Bessa line of cameras - including the L - and have never had a problem with any of them.

What I'm doing here is soliciting feedback from R4A owners. Have any of you ever had a problem with the electronic shutter, for example. Build quality - from what I've read about the R4A, its BQ is supposedly superior to that of the Bessa R. Shutter release noise compared to the Bessa R. Any annoying quirks, etc.

Thanks,

Ted

 

[peter_n]

I owned one for over a year and I'm sorry I sold it. Never had a problem of any kind with the camera. I just loved the solitary 28mm frameline, but I bought the camera to use with a 24mm/f2.8 lens and it was a great combination. I can't compare the shutter noise to an R, but I was pleasantly surprised that it compared well with my Leica Ms, a wee bit louder and more metallic, and that's about it. Build quality is excellent and the VF is bright & clear, although I found focusing 50's a bit marginal on it. Overall I would recommend it to you.

 

[tedwhite]

Thank you for the feedback. I'm not too worried about fitting a 50mm lens to it as I have an M6 that handles the 50 quite nicely. Oh, and I'm not familiar with that lens of yours. What kind is it?

 

[capitalK]

It's a Leica 24mm Elmarit.

I really want one too, but I think I'll get the R4M so I have one A body (my R2A) and 1 M body. Your Bessa R is essentially an M so it makes sense (to me) for you to get the R4A.

 

[JRG]

Hi Ted ---

I've got the R4M (as I overwhelmingly prefer entire manual cameras). Ignoring the A vs. M difference, it's a terrrific camera. I keep a 25 ZM Biogon on the R4M all the time, and it's a lovely combination. Great viewfinder, no complaints about build quality (even though Leica is better).

If you find yourself using lenses shorter than 35mm much of the time, it's pretty hard to make a case against the R4x. I just prefer manual; hence, the R4M.

 

[MelS]

R4a

R4a

I used to use it all the time, then got an M8 which I love, but recently took the R4A with a few rolls of Extar 100 to SF, and am now hooked into film again. A perfect camera.

 

[Keith]

Can't say enough about my R4A Ted ... I use it with my 15mm Heliar and find that by using the entire viewfinder I don't need an accessory finder. It's also very good with my 25mm Zeiss ... and the build quality appears to be excellent. Realistically it's not much cop past 28mm and painful with a 50mm!

The flat black finish is a bit cheesy too I think!

 

[kxl]

I do somewhat regret selling my R4A, but I seem to be having more fun with its replacement, a Bessa T. I have 2 WA lenses, a CV 15mm and a ZM 25mm, which I set at f5.6 or f8 and pre-focus at 5 feetand 8 feet respectively. Used with the wonderfully bright CV viewfinders, I basically have a rockin' WA point and shoot setup.

Of course, you can use any body to do the same, but the nice bonus with the Bessa T is its relatively long EBL, which allows me to use it for longlenses as well. The T is a great back up body.

Just a thought...