The R3A and 40/1.4 was the first RF I bought after using Nikon SLR's for years.
I've since replaced it with an M6 and CV 35/1.4 and bought an R4A with a range of CV WA lenses. The R3A and 40/1.4 is now may "car camera". It's a good general purpose setup for when I need to grab a shot and don't have my main kit with me.
A couple of things;
I'm sure CQ sell the diopter lenses for the viewfinders but they're also the same as the Nikon ones. I got a couple to try out to make my selection. The local CV agent took the unwanted ones back.
I haven't noticed any vignetting with the Nokton.
Can't comment on the SC vs MC thing. Mine is multi coated. There might be a difference in "sharpness" but the choice of film might make a bigger difference and the SC will be more prone to flare.
It would help if you told us a bit about your shooting technique. Do you shoot from afar or closeup? Short Tele or Wide Angle? You need to bear in mind that the R3 doesn't have framelines for anything wider than 40mm. If you wanted to use wider lenses you'd have to use an external viewfinder. There's no way you could see the field of view of a 35mm lens wearing glasses with the R3 viewfinder - you might even have a problem seeing the 40mm frames. You should see if you can handle one first. The R2 Bessa might be a better choice from that point of view, with 35/50/75/90 framelines and appropriate lens choices.
Thanks for your response Leigh.I come also from Nikon SLR(FM2n,FE2,FM3A)-used briefly DSLR,Nikon too,but was disappointing,I'll stick to film-,my point,I'm still a beginner amateur in a financial situation now where I can afford only one body and one lens,and that is saving for a few months.Bessa seems the best choice for obvious reasons,good camera,not expensive,forget Leica.
I tend to shoot a lot of close up of nature,interesting objects and the like.Relative close distance to get a good shot,but not too much as for disturb or make uncomfortable the -cross my fingers-unsuspected model of candid portraits in mundane street scenes.Also medium distance street photos.Mostly during daylight,few night shoots.
As you can notice,for that kind of photography I don't need anything wider than 40 mm and the R3a is a perfect candidate for two main reasons:1:1 viewfinder and frameline for 75mm,an excellent choice for the future acquisition of a lens of that denomination for portraiture use.Am I right so far or not?
Regarding the lenses,I hate to use them while shooting,normally i keep them while tweaking with the camera settings-obviously to see what I'm doing
🙄-and remove them to look through the viewfinder.That will arise the need of the appropriate diopter.I don't have down here any shop with Nikon diopters to try,so is it either a hit or miss or if some one with knowledge of these cameras-Stephen,please read this :angel:-can tell me the actual distance in the pathway between the eye and the viewfinder alignment.That way I can tell the optometrist to test my eyes for that distance reading and I will have the diopter measurement.If a Nikon already made in increments of + or -1's diopter don't match,maybe he can do a job on one for a reasonable price,but I will not shoot a photo with my glasses on!:bang:
You can't comment on SC vs MC,but you mention choice of film.I have in mind the Arista and Legacy Pro line sold by freestyle(I have read of possible manufacturers of these on the past on another forum,but I don't recall now).All I remember that they were mentioned as quality ones.
Now I'm after sharpness and contrast,I might need to post on that other forum and ask which film will be the most appropriate one.
Bob
