Bessa R2a/R3a

[Allen Gilman]

Hey guys,

Just thought I'd let you know if you were wondering - I e-mailed Stephen Gandy and asked him how the shutter of the new models compared to the R2. On his website, he mentioned that it was "quieter than the R2, but not whisper quiet." I was wondering if this was a nice way of saying, "Yes, quieter, but not really significantly different." Gandy responded and said that, while he didn't have an R2 there to compare it to, it was a "significant difference." Just a small bit of info for anyone interested.

 

[rover]

Who else has one of these on order? I gave in and after selling 4 cameras decided to buy the R3a. I couldn't resist the free shipping offer, and a strong pang for the ZI, which I will never allow myself to purchase due to the price.

 

[back alley]

good on you ralph!

i am so torn at times, wanting something new that actually is new and heading backwards and staying with the retro stuff, ie the canon gear.
the r is so nice, small and light, i doubt i would sell it. and the prices here are going to be crazy - my r was 600 bucks cdn. the r2 is about 880 cdn which i imagine the r3a will also be around.

being broke it's not a decision i have to make today...
joe

 

[sfaust]

Who else has one of these on order?

I put one on order a couple days after they were announced. Its the AE and 1:1 finder that did it for me. I typically like the longer focal lengths, and I like the fact I can frame with both eyes open.

But the item that sealed the deal for me was the AE. Its just faster to shoot with most of the time. I can just select my aperture ahead of time based on lighting, DOF, etc, and when the opportunity arises I can just focus and shoot. Only when I feel the AE will fail me do I need to worry about the exposure, and go fiddle with it. That greatly speeds the time from hanging on my next to pressing the shutter. I've been spoiled by modern SLR's, in that I only need to override the AE or focus for about 10-15% of my shots. Otherwise, neckstrap to shutter release is very fast, and rarely fails me.

I've been getting frustrated with the RF and missed opportunities because the process gets in the way, and takes much longer than I am accustomed to. Even when I walk around all day pre 'zone' focused, and changing shutter speed and aperture as lighting conditions change so I am ready. Many times when I'm ready the opportunity is gone, and I know I could have caught it with my SLR easily. On the other hand, I do like how it slows me done with still subjects, landscapes, etc.