Who shoots the R2A, and who uses R3A?

I have the R2A with 21/4 and 35/2.5 PII. The 21 would work equally well on the R3A since you need an external vf anyway. I chose the R2A basically because I prefer 35mm over 40mm. R3A would make more sense if you were to shoot longer lenses (or if you prefer 40mm over 35mm 🙂)
 
Another R2A user here!! I use it with the Summarit and the 25/2.5
 
R2a user; I nabbed Terence_T's a couple weeks ago with 50mm zeiss planar. I was worried that the 50 framelines would be too generously cropped for full-time use, especially after using that luxurious R + 35 kit, but this camera and this lens are a great match. I upgraded for the improved durability, feel, and mount.

I thought I'd be using the Av mode more but using the fully manual R seems to have cured my laziness. :angel:
 
I've had the R3A for a couple of months. On my old Bessa R I enjoyed framing shots with the 35mm framelines and lower-magnification viewfinder, and when I got the R3A I was a little disappointed by the fact the 40mm framelines were so close to the edge of the finder. Since then, however, I've started to shoot with both eyes open, which is a real treat, and I've come to love the 40mm focal length, which seems so natural to me. The 35mm feels wide, and the 50mm seems tight (not that I don't like those focal lengths). The 40/1.4 Nokton is a very sharp lens that renders colours and tones very nicely, and it's a compact little lens compared with the 35/1.7. Some complain about the bokeh of this lens, but as other threads discuss, it smooths out nicely at 2.8 and smaller. Using a 50mm and a 75mm is a treat on the R3A due to the 1:1 finder and wider rangerfinder base, too.
 
I would have upgraded my Bessa R to an R2A if it weren't for the shutter noise... Granted, the R2A is better than the R in this respect, but it's still too loud for a number of situations where the photographer needs to remain invisible - and inaudible.
Cheers
Vincent
 
I use the R3a, most of the time with a 50mm Hexanon, and sometimes with a Rokkor 90. A 25 mm Skopar and 15mm Heliar swap on my Bessa L, though they also fit the R3a with the M mount adaptor.

I've been a "wide boy" generally, so shooting the R3a with the 50 does feel tight still. I'm well tempted by the Ultron 40, but I find the focussing tab a bit thin, hence thoughts turn to the Rokkor 40. I'm yet to handle one though, so it might be the same.

The R3a finder is bright, but with the 50 I'm not quite able to focus with 2 eyes open and feel confident that its spot on yet.... just practice I guess!
 
I just picked up an R3a last week w/ 40/1.4 lens. I've got a few shots in the gallery right now, color & B/W. It will be growing over the next weeks as I get caught up on scanning & editing. So far, I've shot 3 rolls with it.

My initial impressions coming from Nikon digital (D2H) & film (F3 HP) are generally very good. I like the size and handling, but the build quality isn't up to the F3..which is a tank, but still very good. It feels solid in my hands.

The viewfinder is great & I'm really enjoying shooting w/ both eyes open. It's taking a little while to get used to, but I'm starting to get comfortable with it. The problem I initially had were with the framelines, but has become a non-issue w/ both eyes open. 40mm is a great length for me, so I already "see" that shot.

Dave
 
I had a Bessa R2 and bought the R3A as soon as it came out. I found it a substantially better camera in every respect, however I never got on with the life size viewfinder. I just couldn't see the 40m framelines and the "both eyes open" approach that some people have advocated just seemed totally alien to me. I have since returned the R3A (viewfinder alignment issue - Jacobs of London posted the camera off to the distributor for repair who then helpfully discontinued it, so they offered me a refund after 10 weeks of no R3A!). I have put my name down for one of the new cool grey R2As that are being released which have a more traditional viewfinder. Some reviewers rave about the 1:1 viewfinder on the R3A but if you are considering buying one you really should spend some time in the shop making sure you are comfortable with it.
 
I had a Bessa R2 and now a R2A. I didn't choose R3A because I couldn't see the 40mm framelines with my glasses on.
Now I shoot faster with R2A but still the noise is a big problem.
I have 3 Voigt lens 15, 35P and 50Nokton.
can see my homepage www.usual-album.com "About me"
 
The thing is these are all specialised tools...

What you *really* need is an R3a for your 50mm and longer lenses, with an M3 for those quiet moments and battery-related emergencies, an R2a for your favourite 35 (with, of course, an M2 or M4 companion body). What about your 28? A Hexar RF won't take up much room in your bag... Of course if you want a quiet mechanical backup for this one then you are stuck with the MP - you can't have everything 🙂 🙂

If this seems excessive then I'm afraid you're going to have to make some sort of compromise!

Tom
 
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