marco.margavat
Member
Could someone tell me some practical differences between Bessa R4A and R4M ? I'm a newbie. 
chambrenoire
Well-known
If I'm not wrong, the R4M = manual, R4A = automatic (?)
chambrenoire
Well-known
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Not really a lot to be said that isn't on our head bartender's site. (Camera Quest) He has a very good write up on the two cameras and their differences with some input from Tom Abrahamson of Rapid Winder. It comes down to whether you want AE or not really ... AE (R4A) being a battery dependant shutter design which seems to worry some people!
For some strange reason the R4A has a matt black finish while the R4M has a black semi gloss finish ... I would have prefered the semi gloss but unfortunately I wanted AE so chose the R4A!
http://cameraquest.com/voigt4m4aintro.htm
For some strange reason the R4A has a matt black finish while the R4M has a black semi gloss finish ... I would have prefered the semi gloss but unfortunately I wanted AE so chose the R4A!
http://cameraquest.com/voigt4m4aintro.htm
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bennyng
Benny Ng
I think Keith summed it up pretty much. I went for an R4A too.
Cheers,
Cheers,
uinku
Established
Another minor difference is that the R#A's have shutter-button locks. Useful when you're tossing your camera in a packed bag.
marco.margavat
Member
Yes, but I can't understand if a newbie like me can find a practical difference. I mean, using the camera, coul I find differences.
philipp.leser
Established
The A has auto exposure, i.e. you just set the aperture and the camera selects the shutter time.
The M doesn't do that. You have to select the correct time yourself on the dial (It will tell you what it thinks the correct time is in the viewfinder).
Of course you can also do that if you have the A model, auto exposure is just a feature you can decide if you want to use it. The only real advantage of the M is that it doesn't stop working if the battery goes dead (the meter stop working of course, so if you always want or need a meter, that isn't an advantage).
The M doesn't do that. You have to select the correct time yourself on the dial (It will tell you what it thinks the correct time is in the viewfinder).
Of course you can also do that if you have the A model, auto exposure is just a feature you can decide if you want to use it. The only real advantage of the M is that it doesn't stop working if the battery goes dead (the meter stop working of course, so if you always want or need a meter, that isn't an advantage).
marco.margavat
Member
I decided: Bessa R4A with Voigtlander Color-Skopar Pan 35mm f/2.5 PII.
Could you suggest me some other lens for street photo ?
Thanks.
Could you suggest me some other lens for street photo ?
Thanks.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I would suggest that if you really want to utilise this camera's strength think seriously about a 21mm ... not everyone is comfortable shooting this wide of course but there's no more comptent camera for this focal length IMO.
Svitantti
Well-known
AE = Automatic exposure is a practical difference if you use it. So is shutter button lock and dependancy of batteries, especially when it is cold.
Other than that they work pretty much the same and feel the same. They are the same camera expect that the A-model has automatic exposure and then there are some minor differences like those told above.
Some say M's are more quiet, I guess?
For R4_ I would also get a 21 or 25, because thats where it is good at.
Other than that they work pretty much the same and feel the same. They are the same camera expect that the A-model has automatic exposure and then there are some minor differences like those told above.
Some say M's are more quiet, I guess?
For R4_ I would also get a 21 or 25, because thats where it is good at.
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
Yes, that would be my choice too.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Well, I've had an R3A for a while and just got an R4A. I have a 25mm CV lens as well as the 15mm, so I wouldn't necessarily want a 21mm now, but as you have the 35 already I'd vote for the 21.
You can use the "A" models on manual, but you can't use the "M" models on Auto. Carry a spare battery - I've never needed one though.
You can use the "A" models on manual, but you can't use the "M" models on Auto. Carry a spare battery - I've never needed one though.
Any issues with the R4a?