A message from cosina.co.jp re. R3A and 25/4

[Gerold]

On a visit to cosina's web site, I came across the below message, which I had web-translated from Katakana. As cryptic as the translation came out, it seems to say that Cosina is ending production of, amongst other things, the Snapshot Skopar 25/4 and also the Bessa R3A (black) - which I find surprising. Presumably, the black R3A is the top-seller in the line-up. Speculatively, this announcement could mean that there is a new body in the pipeline. Did I miss something here, or could it be that Kobayashi san is pulling a new body out of his hat this fall ? And, perhaps, a coupled 25mm, 2.8-ish ? Could somebody with a command of Katakana help out with a translation?
Cheers, Gerold

from: http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigt/seizo-chushi.html

"Concerning the news following product of production end truly the selfishness ending production, because it came to the point of receiving we inform. Because in the future becomes only shop front stock, when it becomes the main thing stop, ahead of time to inquire at the store that it receives, we ask may.

SNAPSHOT-SKOPAR 25mm F4
COLOR-HELLIAR 75mm F2.5 SL
BESSA-T BESSA-R3A Black Body
F→S/C Adapter Ring Double Shoe Adapter B and C type "

 

[kully]

I don't know, when I was looking for a R2a I saw many 2nd hand R3a's going but only one R2a (which went within a day of being posted on the ffordes website).

Perhaps there are more people wearing glasses than Cosina thought.

 

[zuikologist]

Perhaps the production line is being cleared for a low cost RF digital body 🙂

 

[wyk_penguin]

I don't think Cosina is going digital. It just seems that if they went digital, it would be a step backward. I buy the new body theory. Hope they make something with a longer baselength.

I use a black R3A and I wear glasses. What's the problem? I can see all the framelines, including the 40mm line.

 

[dcsang]

The 25mm f4 production has been long gone since last year if I recall.

I'm not sure about the rest though.

Dave

 

[jmilkins]

Wow - maybe the 40mm frame "issues" have slowed sales. I don't find this to be a problem on my R3A- even if I can't always see them I just assume pretty much full frame as the field of view.

So - anyone know how many R3a's have been made - we might have an instant collectible 😎 -mine is numbered in the 000520s

..come to think of it - my 25/4 is early too - it's a Cosina,not a "Voigtlander"

 

[rover]

I don't think it is the 40mm frame "issues". I suspect that the 40 Nokton is one of Cosina's best selling lenses right now. Based on what I have seen, there have been more reports of rangefinder misalignment with the R3a. Assuming that the R2a shares the same mechanics, then the "problem" probably exists in that camera too, but is not as severe as the finder magnification is less. If they are to introduce a new camera lets hope they do so using a longer baselength finder ala the ZI with visible framelines for 40mm and wider lenses.

 

[rover]

Maybe you were saying that the 40mm framelines are not fully visible, then I agree. I think I read your statement incorrectly John.

 

[jmilkins]

Maybe you were saying that the 40mm framelines are not fully visible, then I agree. I think I read your statement incorrectly John.

Indeed , not fully visible without careful placement even without wearing glasses. But as I said, I can cope.

My vf is a little out vertically perhaps, but once again, I'm not losing sleep.....

well I am ..I should be in the land of nod. But I've just seen a new RF I "need" 🙂

 

[Huck Finn]

Since they are not discontinuing the R3M, I would assume that 40 frame lines are not the issue. Perhaps they are finding that in the RF niche market, AE is not as important as they thought it might be. Perhaps the fully manual version is the one that people want. Just a guess.

 

[oscroft]

Since they are not discontinuing the R3M, I would assume that 40 frame lines are not the issue. Perhaps they are finding that in the RF niche market, AE is not as important as they thought it might be. Perhaps the fully manual version is the one that people want. Just a guess

I'd also suspect that the relatively small demand for new rangefinder cameras makes it non-viable to keep production lines going for too long once the initial demand for a product slows down (especially when the company is introducing alternative new products - it can't be profitable to keep producing more than a very limited number of different bodies).

 

[Uncle Bill]

Anyone stop to consider that the R3a did not sell as well as the R2a? I wish Cosina would continue the R2/3M production.

Bill

 

[dcsang]

The alignment issue on the R3A/R2A is an "easy fix" though - but it can be a bit nerve racking if you don't have steady hands.

But we're talking about the R2A/R3A like these are the ONLY Cosina/Voigtlanders to ever have aligment issues. If I recall, there were many issues with the R's as well no?

Correct me if I'm wrong,
Dave

 

[BJ Bignell]

From what people write, it seems as if the R2a and R3a rangefinders "drift" out of alignment quite often. Of course, over time any rangefinder mechanism may become misaligned due to knocks, bumps, and vibrations. Maybe the R2a/R3a just weren't as sturdy as they were expected to be. I still want the R3a, though (unless there's an R4a with a bigger 1:1 finder and 35mm lines coming very soon).

All of this talk reminds me: I need to get outside and align both of my Bessas. I've been putting this off for far too long.

 

[CameraQuest]

R3A NOT Discontinued

R3A NOT Discontinued

Damn, there certainly is not a lack of imagination at RFF.

No, the R3A is NOT discontinued. Only the black splatter finish R3A is discontinued, to be replaced with another finish which Mr. K has not made a final decision on. That will probably appear early next year, after whatever new CV products are put into the pipeline at Photokina. The gray R3A remains in the lineup.

Contrary to some of the posts in this thread, at the moment the R2M / R3M are technically discontinued, since they are only officially announced for the 2500 sets for the 250th Heliar Anniversary. However I expect some variation will eventually be made standard production.

The many reported RF alignment problems of the Epson RD-1 seems to have given the R3A an undeserved bad rap. RD-1 bodies are made in Cosina factory, but electronics and final assembly and adjustments are done in the Epson factory. It is Epson that is having troubles with final RF adjustments on the RD-1, NOT Cosina with the R2A / R3A. The number of warranty RF adjustments on the R2A / R3A is very small. Less than 1/2 of 1% for the cameras I have sold. I expect similar results from the R2M / R3M.


On this "all things Cosina thread," the silver R2M's have arrived and are almost sold out. I won't be able to get a 2nd shipment of them. Black Paint R2M's, and the R3M's which should arrive in the next few weeks are still available.

I remain very impressed with the new mechanical R2M / R3M. These really are the cameras Leica should have made 20 years ago as quality lower cost introductions into the Leica system. Without an inexpensive introduction into the Leica M system, it makes no long term difference if the M8 is a success or not for Leica Camera.

Stephen Gandy

 

[anselwannab]

Did we ever get a real translation of the page. It seems people are saying that teh R3a is not discontinued, but I haven't seen the source.

Mark

Edit- I should have checked to see that Stephen was on the board, I must have just missed his post.

Mark

 

[BJ Bignell]

Just curious about the why: Was there a defect with the black splatter paint, was it unpopular? Or are we going to see a range of colours?

 

[leafy]

Just curious about the why: Was there a defect with the black splatter paint, was it unpopular? Or are we going to see a range of colours?

I really look forward to a black painted (ZI/R3m type) version of R3a. The only reason I have not bought a R3m is because it lacks AE. The black splattered paint may look good on a digital body, but does not bring up the "classic" look on a film rangefinder body.

 

[ghost]

Without an inexpensive introduction into the Leica M system, it makes no long term difference if the M8 is a success or not for Leica Camera.

does this mean they'll still probably go out of business?

 

[jmilkins]

Stephen - thank you for providing the tantalising glimpse into the CV future from someone who's got the good oil.

I too think once the 250th Anniversary sets are gone there'll be a wider production version of the mechanical R2M / R3M. - from the little I surmise of Mr K's philosophy, a mechanical affordable m-mount RF with a great finder evolved from the R, R2 is more likely than a further CV foray into digital - at least as the next move.