funkydog
Well-known
Congratulations for bumping the thread up. Perhaps it'll will fade into obscurity if whiners stop complaining (they hope).
StillKicking
Established
I have owned the R2A and still own a M3 DS.. I guess the fact that I still own the M3 says it all.
crispy12
Well-known
I must be really a Neanderthal, because I like loading the M3 better than all of the newer types.
Do you think it's faster with the M3? I didn't necessarily say it was better, only faster.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Loading the bessa + using the meter is just worthy to me to use the R3a much much more often. The added 1:1 finder is a bonus (against my m2; the m3 comes close, though).
I do like how the leica operates, though, more. If there was a leica with 1:1 finder, easier "backdoor" loading and aperture priority - at the price of a bessa - i would definitely go for that one
I do like how the leica operates, though, more. If there was a leica with 1:1 finder, easier "backdoor" loading and aperture priority - at the price of a bessa - i would definitely go for that one
Jockos
Well-known
I have the R2M and the M3; after I acquired the M3, which I use daily, the R2M is never used. I even tried to sell it, but the market for used Bessas is very limited.
kshapero
South Florida Man
Try again R2M's have real value.
DNG
Film Friendly
Just place a label on the back with the 'sunny 16" for your film speed., add 15% developing time just in case you miss the exposure with under exposure
Enjoy your M3.....
Enjoy your M3.....
Pioneer
Veteran
I just love these old threads. They are so much fun!
Keep the M3 and shoot it. It is the ultimate Leica. The ones that came later were just minor improvements that came along every ten years or so.
The others are just GAS. But, save your money and buy the ZI and the Bessa if only for the experience. They are all fine little cameras.
Keep the M3 and shoot it. It is the ultimate Leica. The ones that came later were just minor improvements that came along every ten years or so.
The others are just GAS. But, save your money and buy the ZI and the Bessa if only for the experience. They are all fine little cameras.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Timeless thread. After seven years M3 or 2RM(A) is still valid question for some of us. Like me, hard to decide, upgrade my R to AE Bessa (fast candids and heavy filters) or get my first M, to joy the joy, enjoy the feeling of camera and be with Leica M(odern) crowd.
It was also interesting to check later OP Flickr. No Leicashmeicas, no Bessasshmesas, but handmade art, free of GAS.
It was also interesting to check later OP Flickr. No Leicashmeicas, no Bessasshmesas, but handmade art, free of GAS.
leicapixie
Well-known
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25723
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25723
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25723
I just love these old threads. They are so much fun!
Keep the M3 and shoot it. It is the ultimate Leica. The ones that came later were just minor improvements that came along every ten years or so.
Improvements! You are kidding.
Each newer "better" Leica has a lousier viewfinder.
Frame lines less accurate. A willful tragedy.
Sure,you need a wide angle,35mm, it's either Snoopy's
"Flying Goggles" on a Summaron or one stop faster or two, Summicron or Summilux.Then it's the lovely basic M2.
Neatest cleanest finder..
The Cosinas are nice but never feel like a Leica..
Pioneer
Veteran
One of the reasons this thread caught my eye is I recently picked up an M3 myself after resisting for years. I am loving it. I am a 50mm kind of guy and my M6 and M7 have suddenly fallen out of favor, meters and all. I can now understand why this camera became so popular so quickly.
I do agree with the viewfinder issue. The only rangefinder camera I have with a better viewfinder is my ZI, but it is nowhere near as classy as this! Besides, I can always use an external viewfinder for my 35.
I do agree with the viewfinder issue. The only rangefinder camera I have with a better viewfinder is my ZI, but it is nowhere near as classy as this!
Besides, I can always use an external viewfinder for my 35.
batey_1020
Well-known
Thought i would chuck in my 2c worth.
I have had an M4 for about 12 months and recently got a R2A at a cheap price i couldnt pass up.
My intention was that the meter would be handy and the aperature priority.
After 3 months with it now i though i would have wond up shooting the bessa all the time. The truth is the M4 just feels better and i enjoy it more. I use hand meter whe i have the M4.
Where the bessa comes in for me is color. It normally loaded with Ektar 100 or something and works well. I find the film rewind flimsy an feels like its weak. the camera feels bigger to hold and use. One thing i do like is aperature priority. If im shooting something with family and want to move fast. Load it with iso 400 set it to f8 and off you go.
If i was to go back again i would still have bought the Bessa over another M4 or M3 (unless i had an M at the same price) just find it fits in to a few situations i need and i guess i will hold onto it.
I find them both good in the bag out on holidays and enjoy shooting them although the M4 a lot more
I have had an M4 for about 12 months and recently got a R2A at a cheap price i couldnt pass up.
My intention was that the meter would be handy and the aperature priority.
After 3 months with it now i though i would have wond up shooting the bessa all the time. The truth is the M4 just feels better and i enjoy it more. I use hand meter whe i have the M4.
Where the bessa comes in for me is color. It normally loaded with Ektar 100 or something and works well. I find the film rewind flimsy an feels like its weak. the camera feels bigger to hold and use. One thing i do like is aperature priority. If im shooting something with family and want to move fast. Load it with iso 400 set it to f8 and off you go.
If i was to go back again i would still have bought the Bessa over another M4 or M3 (unless i had an M at the same price) just find it fits in to a few situations i need and i guess i will hold onto it.
I find them both good in the bag out on holidays and enjoy shooting them although the M4 a lot more
thegman
Veteran
When I was casually walking around London, my M3 was wonderful, the perfect camera really. I so much preferred it to my Bessa R4a. When travelling though, I used the R4a 10 times more, the AE and film loading just made it so much more friendly when in a hurry.
So for me, for sheer pleasure of use, has to be the M3. For travelling around, wanting to take pictures without thinking about the camera too much, Bessa was a lot better for me.
An M7 which looks like an MP is probably the perfect 35mm RF camera for me, but I can't say I'd want to wade into the sea holding it like I did the Bessa.
So for me, for sheer pleasure of use, has to be the M3. For travelling around, wanting to take pictures without thinking about the camera too much, Bessa was a lot better for me.
An M7 which looks like an MP is probably the perfect 35mm RF camera for me, but I can't say I'd want to wade into the sea holding it like I did the Bessa.
NicoM
Well-known
I've owned the Leica M3, and I'm currently shooting with a Voigtlander Bessa R2a. Operationally, they both get the job done. The edge goes to the M3 for viewfinder size and patch clarity (if you get a good one). I find the AE of the R2a to be very useful, and have it set to it most of the time.
kiss-o-matic
Well-known
I'm curious as to why nobody has mentioned their main subject after their camera of choice. I recently bought a Bessa-R (not 2, so no AE, and L-Mount) w/ a 35mm lens as I wanted a cheap-ish RF but w/ fast shutter speeds and high iso capability (something the Yashica Electro doesn't offer), to take to some of the worst camera conditions on the planet. I took it w/ the Canon 35/2.
I mainly shoot street, and I really don't see how anyone can dog on accurate AE mode. Whether or not you can tell your settings, it takes time to change the nobs...specifically the shutter speed. The only thing I can quickly change on such a camera is the aperture. While this will work to an extent, it's usually the last thing I want to change to get the right exposure. It does work though.
As such, I think I will sell this unit for hopefully not too much of a loss, and next year when I find myself at the same event, I will take an R2A instead. It will mean my $350 "I won't cry if I ruin it" setup will become closer to a $650 "uh... I need to be careful" set up but them's the breaks I guess.
I mainly shoot street, and I really don't see how anyone can dog on accurate AE mode. Whether or not you can tell your settings, it takes time to change the nobs...specifically the shutter speed. The only thing I can quickly change on such a camera is the aperture. While this will work to an extent, it's usually the last thing I want to change to get the right exposure. It does work though.
As such, I think I will sell this unit for hopefully not too much of a loss, and next year when I find myself at the same event, I will take an R2A instead. It will mean my $350 "I won't cry if I ruin it" setup will become closer to a $650 "uh... I need to be careful" set up but them's the breaks I guess.