35 and 28mm lenses for Bessa R3A

[adamdean]

Hello,

I mainly shoot digital but want to try an entry rangefinder and found a Bessa R3A here in Beijing where I am based.

I will probably just get fast 28mm and 35mm lenses. Could somebody clarify whether I would need the external viewfinder for these as they dont have the framelines in the rangefinder???

Also any recomendations for fast lenses that would be good for this. I can't afford Leica lenses so any other recomendations helpful and any idea where I can pick them up 2nd hand in Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo much appreciated!!

Thanks

Adam

 

[Huck Finn]

You will need the external viewfinder.

The fastest lenses 28 & 35 mm lenses are the Cosina Voitlander lenses - 28/1.9, 35/1.7, & 35/1.2.

 

[ferider]

Hi Adam,

like Huck said.

I recommend however to get a 28/40 combo, in particular the CV 28/1.9 and 40/1.4 are great on the R3*. You will then need an external viewfinder for the 28, the CV minifinder fits the R3* well.

Best,

Roland.

 

[Avotius]

buying used camera stuff in china is very difficult, because the price of cv lenses are so low I highly suggest you buy new, you can find these lenses on taobao http://www.taobao.com/ I got my 35 pancake 2 and a mess of other things on taobao with no problems, just make sure you have buyers protection from china construction bank or the like

ps. if you are hell bent on buying used look here http://exchange.xitek.com/search.php?

pps. and by god if you buy anything DO NOT send by normal mail, ONLY send through ems

 

[adamdean]

thanks

thanks

so just to confirm - I would definately need a seperate external viewfinder for any of those 28mm and 35mm lenses mentioned.

would I be able to meter in the external viewfinder or just compose?

sorry if they are stupid questions - never used a rangefinder with ext viewfinder before!

thanks

Adam

 

[Doug]

The metering is done through the taking lens, Adam, not the viewfinder. Use the camera viewfinder for focusing and checking meter diodes, and the accessory viewfinder only for composing.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

The R3 is ideal for the 40mm f1.4 Voigtlander Nokton lens. The framelines are already there in the viewfinder for this lens.

 

[c.poulton]

Hi Adam,

like Huck said.

I recommend however to get a 28/40 combo, in particular the CV 28/1.9 and 40/1.4 are great on the R3*. You will then need an external viewfinder for the 28, the CV minifinder fits the R3* well.

Best,

Roland.

Hi Adam

I can second Roland's recommendation as this is the combo I shoot with. Using the secondary 28 viewfinder is not a problem - you soon get used to it. Also with the R3a, just use AE so you do not need to worry too much about losing exposure info when using the second finder.

The CV 40/1.4 is a fine lens - I use it as my standard, only switching to the 28 when I need to go wide.

Hope this helps?

 

[0bli0]

i'll third the 28 /40 combo. whether you get the ultron or the skopar 28mm, they're both fine lenses.

 

[Doug]

I agree the 40 and 28mm is a great combo, very versatile, and would be a good choice for the R3A, maybe also along with a 75mm Heliar.

 

[adamdean]

R2a or 33a

R2a or 33a

hello,

thanks again for your patience and useful replies.

I went into a camera shop here in HK yesterday to have a look at some bessas. The salesman suggested the R2A as it has the 35 mm framelines which is the lens I would mainly shoot.

he also said that some people use the edge/limits of the viewfinder as a rough guide for 28mm lens on the r2a and the 35mm lens on the r3a. obviously this will not be precise but might be fine for street photography etc.?

Can anybody comment, confirm or dispute this.

I had a look at the voigtlander 35mm 1.7 lens which seems nice - anybody got it?

thanks again...

Adam