Bessa R3 lenses

[sanardo22]

I undrstand that the Bessa R3 can be used with Minolta, Canon and other lenses that are compatable with with the camera's mounting configuration. Are these lenes coupled to the the camera's rangefinder? ( I have a Mamiya 6x7 and a canonet GIII 17 )

 

[L.P.]

Sanardo, you can use Konika Hexanon lenses. i use the 90/2.8 and works very well for focussing at 2.8. Yes, the lenses is coupled to the rangefinder, not sure though about the accuracy but i never had any bad surprise. You can have a look below at a photo i took with R3A/Hexanon 90/2.8

Loic

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=6304&cat=3780&page=1

 

[Doug]

Welcome to RFF, sanardo22! You'll find lots of useful information on the CameraQuest web site: http://www.cameraquest.com/

 

[Terence T]

The R3a comes with the M Mount. There is a large selection of modern and older M Mount lenses available from Leica, Voigtlander, Konica, Zeiss and others.

Screw mount (or Leica Thread Mount [LTM for short]) are also frequently used on the M Mount bodies via a LTM to M lens adapter.

Most of these lenses are rangefinder coupled with the exception of a few, examples would include the CV (Cosina Voigtlander) 15/4.5, 21/4 and 25/4. These lenses are scale focused through estimation of distance.

 

[Fred]

A Terence has stated the CV (Cosina Voigtlander) 15/4.5, 21/4 and 25/4 are scale focus and not RF coupled. As they are very wide angle it's really easy to use the hyperfocal scale. I use the 15 and it's got a huge DOF even at F4.5 (it's much better at F5.6). Don't let the lack of RF couple put you off these lenses. They are all very good.

 

[Terence T]

I'll second Fred's opinion on the CV 15, 21 and 25. I own all 3 and they are a huge bang for the buck. Delivering great performance at affordable prices.

 

[TimF]

Huh? I thought the CV 21mm was rangefinder coupled. Has my overtaxed brain finally gone "phut"!!!!!!! 😉

 

[rover]

The 21 is coupled. That said, you still can just walk around shooting without focusing becasue the DOF places everything in focus from your nose to forever.

 

[jlw]

It IS rangefinder coupled, according to the CameraQuest web page:

"The 21/4 is built on the 25/4 lens barrel, with Rangefinder coupling and a convenient focusing lever."​

A 21mm lens at full aperture has a total DOF of "only" about 0.45 meter when focused at 1 meter -- so while guess-focusing probably will work, RF coupling is a useful aid to make sure your guess isn't too wildly off.

 

[Terence T]

Oops, my bad. Shows you how often I use my 21.

 

[Doug]

The 12mm is the third CV lens that is not RF coupled... What's a little digit reversal among friends? 🙂