Apologies ... more noob questions

B

barefoot

talented, but lazy
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Apr 29, 2009
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I'm considering a RF camera for several reasons:
- slightly smaller/lighter than an SLR
- superb optics
- quiet(er) shutter

I've focusing on one of the Bessa models for these reasons:
- fairly inexpensive and well-respected
- excellent and inexpensive lenses (particularly the 15/4.5)

My questions are as follows:
- How tough are the Bessa cameras? Would you throw one in a motorcycle pannier and take off down a dirt road?
- Just how quiet is the shutter on an RxA? I know it's not as quiet as a Leica, but is it significantly quieter than a film SLR (like a Nikon FE)?
 
Vibration is no friend of RF cameras.
Some have reported that the R cameras go out of alignment easily. I haven't experienced that.
Keep it in a padded case and don't actually "throw" it, and I would think you'd be ok.
 
;)
I'd probably have a padded case attached to my person for riding, but I wanted to see what kind of feedback would be generated by that remark.

Also - how difficult is it to 'realign' the rangefinder?
 
I use Leica's now but had an R2A as my back-up body when I just had one M6. I treated it as I treat my all my equipment i.e. as well as possible when its a daily workhorse thats bound to get scuffed, banged, knocked about and taken on all sorts of transport.

The R2A will encounter problems where some sturdier bodies will not but that's what gaffer tape was made for;)

Essentially its a great camera for the price and will maintain its 'looks' dependant on how well you can and wish to look after it. I didn't have a problem with RF misalignment but they are more susceptible than SLR's - everything comes with a trade off though.
 
Some sort of case for the Bessa in the MC pannier would be a good idea. A standard Bessa case. Or just wrap it in a towel. They're tough enough if treated with some care. It's no F2.

How loud is loud? Yes, a Leica is quieter. No, the Bessa is not a loud camera. It's a mechanical camera--it goes "click" when you use it. I like that. :>)
 
barefoot said:
- quiet(er) shutter
Click to expand...

Bessa shutter isn't quieter than SLR. It is becouse of shutter design with vertically travelled metal curtains. Same type used on late Nikon and Minolta SLR.
Old cameras with cloth shutter curtains are much quieter (Leica, Zorki, FED ).
But it wins on shortest shutter speed: 1/2000 . Cloth shutters usually limited to 1/1000, or 1/500 on old cameras
 
minoltist7 said:
Bessa shutter isn't quieter than SLR. It is becouse of shutter design with vertically travelled metal curtains. Same type used on late Nikon and Minolta SLR.
Old cameras with cloth shutter curtains are much quieter (Leica, Zorki, FED ).
But it wins on shortest shutter speed: 1/2000 . Cloth shutters usually limited to 1/1000, or 1/500 on old cameras
Click to expand...

Hm... food for thought.

In a nutshell, I would like a reasonably priced, tough, reliable, compact, quiet, high-quality 35mm film camera with an apeture priority mode - does such a camera exist, or will I need to compromise in one area or another? If I get a Leica body, I could still use the reasonably priced CV lenses, right? But then, I don't like the obfuscatory Leica film loading, especially out in the field with no table to neatly lay out pieces of camera. I looked at an M4 in my local store the other day, but it has no meter, no AP-auto mode.
 
barefoot said:
Hm... food for thought.

In a nutshell, I would like a reasonably priced, tough, reliable, compact, quiet, high-quality 35mm film camera with an apeture priority mode - does such a camera exist, or will I need to compromise in one area or another? If I get a Leica body, I could still use the reasonably priced CV lenses, right? But then, I don't like the obfuscatory Leica film loading, especially out in the field with no table to neatly lay out pieces of camera. I looked at an M4 in my local store the other day, but it has no meter, no AP-auto mode.
Click to expand...

I think your choices are Leica M7, Zeiss Ikon, or Bessa RxA. You can use Voigtlander glass with any of them.
 
uhligfd said:
Look at/for a Contax G2 as well. Viewfinder does not misalign ... Best glass on the block ... AE ... etc.
Click to expand...

This is not to disagree quality-wise, because the G2 is an excellent camera system.

But if you're looking for an RF experience, IMHO the G2 is not the camera to get.

It's basically and autofocus using RF and the only manual focusing you get to do is to line-up LCD indicator in the viewfinder.

Quite different than the yellow/mirror patch in traditional RF cameras, which, I happen to like a lot.
 
barefoot said:
Hm... food for thought.

In a nutshell, I would like a reasonably priced, tough, reliable, compact, quiet, high-quality 35mm film camera with an apeture priority mode - does such a camera exist, or will I need to compromise in one area or another?
Click to expand...

Olympus XA: The main/only compromise I have is no exposure lock.
 
Thanks for the feedback, folks. I still think the Bessa is probably the right mix of features/compromises, but I appreciate the input.
;)
 
Vito B Shutter settings

Vito B Shutter settings

I have a newly acquired Vito B and notice that there are green numbers indicating that it may be able to carry out long exposures without the need for a cable release. I don't seem to be able to obtain them, am i just being stupid, or are these just not possible to use? Any help?
 
Since I found out that I'll be employed for the foreseeable future, I just placed an order for an R4A-21/4 combo, so you may now take this opportunity to welcome me to the fold. :p I'll upload some photos as soon as I can.

Cheers,
Jim
 
Ahayward, those green marked "speeds" don't control the shutter. They just tell you how long to expose, using the cable release, shutter set on B, when choosing a small aperture.

Barefoot, welcome to the Inner Circle. Shoooting wide is a great experience.
 
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