My Zeiss Ikon would disagree with this statement
It's not a Film "M." Only Leica makes "M" cameras. Others make "M mount" cameras...
kanzlr
Hexaneur
stillshunter
unlearning digital habits
Thanks all. I'm this much closer to my mind being made up.
1. I'd prefer the 1:1 VF and more accurate focusing with a normal lens - so the R3.
2. Looks like for the price and purpose, especially considering the warranty (3 years sounds good!) that the R3A is a sensible option.
Now to avoid Dante's Hexar reviews and all talk of "you'd be better of with an M3" Neither of which should matter as I'm almost set on lens number #1 being the Nokton 40/1.4. So just the CL and CLE left to avoid then....
1. I'd prefer the 1:1 VF and more accurate focusing with a normal lens - so the R3.
2. Looks like for the price and purpose, especially considering the warranty (3 years sounds good!) that the R3A is a sensible option.
Now to avoid Dante's Hexar reviews and all talk of "you'd be better of with an M3"
Neither of which should matter as I'm almost set on lens number #1 being the Nokton 40/1.4. So just the CL and CLE left to avoid then....meandihagee
Well-known
Still not 100% on the R2 vs R3 - though leaning towards the R3 for the 1:1 VF and marriage with a Nokton 40mm f1.4 SC. But I digress.....already
I've read Stephen Gandy's pages on the Bessas multiple times and a plethora of reviews, but I'm still found scratching my head. On paper the R*M models appear to have the better VF display, quieter shutter and the bonus of no-battery use...seems like a no-brainer. But then trawling through RFF it seems more folks have opted for the R*A? Can I ask why? Also curious that the amount of used R*As available outnumbers those of the R*M models. Is this due to more sold new or a higher proportion of users wanting to move on from them for some reason (inversely more R*M owners holding onto their cameras)?
Again, I'd jump on an R3M w/- CV 40/1.4 SC tomorrow, but can't quite figure out what's with the proliferation of R3As. Maybe there is something that I am missing....
Really appreciate any insights.
The R2A froze on me last winter (the batteries, I mean). But if your not shooting in Siberia everyday, go for the *A. But who knows what the 2012 has in store for us? Maybe the Apocalypse is coming after all. I was thinking of getting R4M and documenting the whole event. Might be hard to get batteries
Other than that, it's great to have AE, as you don't have to take the camera from your eye to see your shutter speeds.
The matte finish on *A is soo cool. Way nicer than the classic black of the *M.
And one more thing, I like to have a lock button on the shutter release.
All in all, a faster way to do things, which is what RFs are for. You can always go on manual to if you feel like it and get the same experience of the *M (the clicks of the dials are more "snappy" as opposed to the *Ms which felt little loose to me. Oh, but look at me, talking like a Leica guy)
Juan Valdenebro
Truth is beauty
I've used an R3A, an R4M and two Bessas T for a few years, including trips and beach, and mechanical and electronic cameras, both have been 100% reliable.
I got a mechanical one first (wonderful camera!!!), but it's a fact AE is the perfect shooting style for lots of scenes. When it works well, why not use it too? It helps us concentrate in what really matters...
Cheers,
Juan
santela
Established
I have the M7 and Hexar RF, so I got the R4M for reliability, but I do miss the A since I shoot quite a bit of slides.
john_s
Well-known
I suppose one advantage of the A is that intermediate shutter speeds are available.
froyd
Veteran
A in M mode
A in M mode
Can't remember, but when the A is set on manual, the viewfinder shows the set shutter speed as well as a blinking one indicating where the exposure should be.
Is this the way the Ikon works as well?
A in M mode
Can't remember, but when the A is set on manual, the viewfinder shows the set shutter speed as well as a blinking one indicating where the exposure should be.
Is this the way the Ikon works as well?
markrich
Enthusiatic amatuer
I went with the R2A. I wanted the mix of wide, standard and telephoto framelines to obtain lenses for later. Presently I have a Jupiter 8 fro 50mm and a Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 classic. I felt it covered all my desires better than the other models.
kossi008
Photon Counter
Yes, it is.
Bingley
Veteran
Thanks all. I'm this much closer to my mind being made up.
1. I'd prefer the 1:1 VF and more accurate focusing with a normal lens - so the R3.
2. Looks like for the price and purpose, especially considering the warranty (3 years sounds good!) that the R3A is a sensible option.
Now to avoid Dante's Hexar reviews and all talk of "you'd be better of with an M3"
Do you wear glasses? The 40 framelines on the R3* are out on the edge of the vf and hard to see; that was my experience and why I sold my R3A. Otherwise, it's a great camera, and the AE and metering is really good.
If I were to buy another Bessa R* to use with a 40 as my main lens, I'd get an R2* and frame w/ the 35 framelines. YMMV.
kshapero
South Florida Man
But also the R3A came out first. So it had a head start on sales.