35/2.5 and Bessa R3A/M?

[minoltist7]

Can 35/2.5 lens (or any other 35mm lens) be used with R3?
I mkow it has widest 40mm frameline, but I guess there is some extra space in the viewfinder . Will it cover 35mm approximately?
Is there any issues with focusing of 35mm lenses, or it doesn't matter which lens is attached?

 

[rover]

It is difficult to see the space outside of the 40mm lines on the R3. If you wear glasses, it is practically impossible. That said, yes, you can approximate the coverage, or just live with the little extra you get around the edges of your photos.

 

[nikola]

I wouldn't recommend it! 😀

You can check this thread.

 

[minoltist7]

I do not wear a glasses but I had difficulties with precision of focus on old USSR-made RFs , becouse of small finder and focusing patch.
R3A had larger finder then R2A , so manual focusing should be more reliable. Am I wrong?

also, since I never have seen real Bessa closely, I have some stupid question:
if camera has 40/50/90 framelines, does it mean that wider lenses (like 20mm, 25mm) will require external finder? or they can be focused anyway (using central part of the frame in the built-in finder), or via distance scale?

I need to decide which camera to pick up::: in R3 I like larger finder (but no 35mm).
In R2A larger field of view but smaller finder... that's tricky choice.
I'm not going to go wider than 35mm, the lenses I'd like to have are 35mm, 50mm as 2 main primes.. and maybe 90mm for portraits in future

 

[jobo]

if camera has 40/50/90 framelines, does it mean that wider lenses (like 20mm, 25mm) will require external finder? or they can be focused anyway (using central part of the frame in the built-in finder), or via distance scale?

You can always focus via distance scale. If your lens is rangefinder coupled, you can always use the rangefinder to focus it, no matter what framelines are shown. For an extreme example of this you can look at the Bessa T which has a rangefinder, but no framelines.

I have a R3a, but wouldn't use a 35 on it. I guess one could learn to do it.

 

[rover]

The finder in the R3 and R2 cameras are in fact the same big bright size. It is true that the R3 finder has a higher magnification, so the scene is larger in the R3 finder (thus the more narrow view) and focusing is more accurate. The trade off is the loss of the wide field necessitating the external finders, or a confidence in your imagination to see outside the finder.

 

[minoltist7]

I have a R3a, but wouldn't use a 35 on it. I guess one could learn to do it.

oh, I see you have some Soviet gear.
I live in Ukraine, and I can get stuff like Jupiter or Industar here for very cheap price. but how they will focus on R2/R3? via distance scale only?

 

[nikola]

They will focus normally like any other lens.

 

[minoltist7]

Today I got my package from cameraquest: Bessa R3A, Skopar C 35/2.5, LTM adapter and brown leather bag

It's sooo nice looking camera - I'm very happy now 🙂. and finder is really BIG
Can't wait to load film and shoot it.

 

[Michaelta]

Congratulations for your new camera!
Please let us know how much this combo is working for you.
Thanks in advance

 

[nikola]

Congrats and a tip, put a little superglue on that cap over the PC socket.

 

[Sonnar2]

I know one camera with a 1:1 finder usable with 35mm, the Canon P. This is borderline, but I (as eyeglass wearer) do see the frames. Not a one glance, but for reportage, you can live with it.
The Bessa R3 with 35mm is a pain. I bought it because I have a Rollei Sonnar 40/2.8 and no other camera with 40mm frame.

 

[jan normandale]

I'd suggest that an easy solution is to surf the "_bay" for a FSU viewfinder. They are cheap +/- $40 and have the 35mm frameline. If you want to spend the $$ definitely the 'original equipment' CV 35 mm viewfinder is always available.

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNIVERSAL-TURRE...tcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have nothing to do with the seller, but the images and description should help you decide if this is a solution that works for you.

 

[minoltist7]

First couple of shots, wide open: