Bessa R2A or R3A with 50 1.1?

[meso]

Again, personally, I found 50 and 75 too close to carry both. Possibly is a 90 the better choice. I would make two steps forward instead of changing the lens, but I'm lazy with that 😉.
If you look at the framelines, you may see, what I mean...

Otherwise the 35/1.4 and the 75/1.8 give a very nice two lens outfit.
Your choice... 😀

Hmmm, I had not thought about that, maybe I just skip the 50 1.1 for now and get the ZI with 35/75 combo
argh, too many options 😕 🙂

 

[Krosya]

Let me add to the confusion. 😉
I'd get a R3A with CV 40 and CV75 (either 2.5 or 1.8). If you still need 50mm, I'd skip 50/1.1 and suggest cv 50/1.5 as it is a cheaper and IMO better lens. OR I'd get R2 or R2A with 35, 5./1.5 and 90mm lens. BTW, I dont think older R2 is built any worse than R2A. What I would suggest with ANY Bessa you get is - either a grip or even better a rapidwinder. Makes camera much better as far as handling goes and makes it feel more stable.

 

[haempe]

Meso, you asked why I would prefer a ZI over a Bessa.
These are just small things. I don't know the viewfinder, but it was praised as the best by others. I like the handling of the ZI over my Bessa R. Especially you will need (with the Bessa) two fingers to turn the shutterdial unlike only one with ZI. And the shutter, which I believe is the same, sounds in the Bessa some more tinny. A look inside my Bessa was somewhat disillusioning. Many plastic gear and "economical produced" looking things. But I heard, the later Bessa models are better produced.
These are only details, both will be good cameras.
Depends on the roll of the camera I would choose a ZI for a main camera and a Bessa as a backup for a Leica.🙂

Hmmm, I had not thought about that, maybe I just skip the 50 1.1 for now and get the ZI with 35/75 combo
argh, too many options

My advice is: buy one body and one or maximum two lenses, use it and see what happens. I, for example, was surprised that I prefer the 50 over the 35 on the rangefinder cameras, unlike to SLRs.
Maybe you find out that you are a "wide angle man" and still need a shorter focal length. 😀

 

[jsrockit]

I would go ZI, 35mm 1.4, 50 Planar (used), and a 75mm Color-Heliar 2.5 (used).

 

[Guaranteed]

I went with the R3A and 50 1.1, then again I love shooting with both eyes open.

 

[JFH]

I really like the R3A's viewfinder and overall feature set.... and just bought my second R3A body. I shoot with 25, 35, 40, 50 and (sometimes) 90mm lenses. It's ideal with the 50 as many have said. For the 35 and 40 (I wear glasses) I've found that a 40mm auxiliary viewfinder works well.... yes, it's something you have to get used to and it's not for everybody. And for the 25 I have another auxiliary finder. So everything's interchangeable between bodies. I keep one loaded with color and the second with B&W and so never have an "oh crap!!" moment with the wrong film in the wrong body... Jmho here.

 

[Matus]

Given you lens choice I would probably get a Zeiss ZI and learn how to extrapolate the 90mm frames to 75. I had R3A and the 40mm frame lines fall out of the "comfortable region". The 50 were just perfect. R3A may be on the edge for focusing accuracy with 50/1.1 or 75/1.8.

 

[presspass]

If you haven't already made your decision, there are a couple of other factors to consider. First, the ZI is a wonderful camera, but the meter readout either manual or AE is very hard to see in bright light. I've compensated by placing one index finger along the left edge of the finder - that helps. The other thing is, if you really want a 75, the ZI does not have a 75 frame. True, you can use the inside marks of the 50 frame, but it's a little like using a 35 finder with a 40 only more so. A nice two-lens set is 35/75. If you want three lenses, 35, 50, 90 is good. My Bessa is an R2, an older model, and it is louder than the ZI and, if i'm not careful, it gives odd frame spacing when I used the trigger winder. Good luck.

 

[Tom A]

The R3A/M is the best choice for the 50f1.1 and the 75f1.8. With the 35f1.4 you are shooting "inside" the 40 frame most of the time. It's OK but takes a while to get used to.
For the 75f1.8 the Zeiss is not that good as it will bring up the 50 frame - though if you buy a 75f1.8 from cameraquest/photovilla you will get a 75 bright line finder as part of the deal. The R3 also has the distinct advantage to give you a free standing 75 mm frame - no other frame lines cluttering up the finder! I use the R3M with both my 75f1.8 and my Summicron 75f2 for this reason, rather than the M6/MP's cluttered finder.
The 50mm f1.1 works fine with the R3 too - as does it on the R2's. Focussing accuracy is more a matter of being precise in your focus and remember that a f1.1 lens has a very shallow depth of field at the best of time!

 

[meso]

I would like to thank everyone for their contribution in this thread,
I have narrowed my lens choice down to Nokton 35 1.4 and Heliar 75 1.8, might add the 50 1.1 or other 50mm later,
but I just can't decide on the body, now I'm contemplating a used M2 from Keh graded Ex,
but my only concern is if there is a problem with it it will end up costing me more than a new ZI😕
Or maybe a EX rated from keh is something I should not worry about,
I have bought BGN slr/lenses without any problems so far.

My only fear of the Bessa R3A/m is the short rangefinder base,
as I shoot a lot wide open so focus accuracy is crucial for me,
perhaps it will do fine, but as I have only been shooting slr's I really dont have any experience on this matter.

 

[kshapero]

Recently I have gone with a ZI with 35, 50, 90 lens and a R4A with a tiny CV21mm. yummy.

 

[meso]

Recently I have gone with a ZI with 35, 50, 90 lens and a R4A with a tiny CV21mm. yummy.

Since you bumped the thread I think I should update my status,
I ended up with buying a barely used M6 ttl and CV Nokton 35 1.4 and Zeiss Planar 5 f2, and I'm loving it 🙂

 

[Photog9000]

Or maybe a EX rated from keh is something I should not worry about, I have bought BGN slr/lenses without any problems so far.

As far as KEH, I have bought, sold, & traded with them in the past although not recently. When I made the change from Olympus to Nikon for autofocus (I was working at a small weekly paper and needed the AF capability), I got a decent price for my Olympus bodies & lenses and the Nikon bodies & lenses I bought were, IMO, in better condition than what KEH rated them at. Also, KEH also backs the equipment with a return guarantee if memory serves.

I am glad you started this thread as I am looking at the same problem :bang: of changing from SLR equipment to RF equipment (currently only have a Yashica Electro35 GS).

 

[Matus]

EDIT: did not read last two posts 🙂

EDIT2: good choice 🙂