Bessa R3A Viewfinder

[Roberto]

Today I went to a local shop that has Cosina Voigtlander, Zeiss Ikon and Leica (plus every kind of SLR you can imagine..) for sale, I was looking for some used Leica, but nothing was in my price range 🙁

So.. I asked to look at a R3A, and... well my feeling is that the viewfinder of the Bessa R (that I own from almost 3 years now..) is brighter.
Is that possible? Did any of you got the same impression?

Rob.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I've owned both, but never had a chance to do a side by side.
With the 1:1 magnification, I'd give the edge to the R3A.

 

[MRohlfing]

Is that possible? Did any of you got the same impression?

Yes, I think you are right - I had the same impression.

I have sold my R though, can't check it anymore now.

Michael

 

[sockeyed]

I've used both extensively and never noticed a difference, but I never explicitly compared them one against the other.

 

[thirdeye]

I own an R3A and find its viewfinder brighter than my two EOS SLRs and Rolleiflex 2.8 TLR; likewise, as to a past Nikon N2020 SLR and the Leica M that I drooled on at the local shop. Plus, the 1:1 ratio of the R3A VF makes it comfortable to take photos with both eyes open. Feels weird at first, but then camera becomes "invisible." Hope this helps.