Best body for 28/50 combo?

[photophorous]

Howdy Folks,

I recently tried my first true RF wide angle lens, the V/C Snapshot Skopar 25/4, and I just can't get used to the external finder. No matter what I do I can't seem to frame anything accurately. Plus, having to look through the main finder to check exposure and then the external finder to frame slows me down too much. Combined, this kinda takes the fun out of shooting with an RF. I could trade the 25 for a 28 and be perfectly happy, but it doesn't seem like any body has a good 28mm frame-line either.

I'm currently using an R2A, so I guess I could trade it in for an R4A, but then I'm affraid using a 50mm lens, my favorite FL, wouldn't be as much fun. Any ideas? What do you think the best solution is? Is there an RF body that works really well for both 28 and 50mm lenses? I'm starting to consider such rash options as selling my RF kit completely and buying a Contax Zeiss SLR kit to replace it.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[monochromejrnl]

If you can find a good hexar RF it's great for 28 - the RF baseline is the same as an M6 but the magnification is 0.6 which is slighter longer than the 0.58 but not so much so that the 28mm framelines are rendered useless as on the 0.72x M6, M4-P (especially for eye glass wearers)...

i use a M3 for 50mmm and 28 or 35 on my Hexar RF, i've owned and loved the M4 but it didn't have the 28mm lines and the M6TTL was great but too close to the M3/M4, so I opted for the Hexar RF

Howdy Folks,

I recently tried my first true RF wide angle lens, the V/C Snapshot Skopar 25/4, and I just can't get used to the external finder. No matter what I do I can't seem to frame anything accurately. Plus, having to look through the main finder to check exposure and then the external finder to frame slows me down too much. Combined, this kinda takes the fun out of shooting with an RF. I could trade the 25 for a 28 and be perfectly happy, but it doesn't seem like any body has a good 28mm frame-line either.

I'm currently using an R2A, so I guess I could trade it in for an R4A, but then I'm affraid using a 50mm lens, my favorite FL, wouldn't be as much fun. Any ideas? What do you think the best solution is? Is there an RF body that works really well for both 28 and 50mm lenses? I'm starting to consider such rash options as selling my RF kit completely and buying a Contax Zeiss SLR kit to replace it.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Krosya]

My vote goes to Hexar RF as well - great camera for both 50 and 28mm lenses.

 

[aizan]

r4a + r3a
zeiss ikon (better if you don't wear glasses)
hexar rf
.58x leica (m6 ttl, etc.)
minolta cle (28/40, though)

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I find 50mm a delight to use with the R4A.

 

[photophorous]

Wow, thanks for all the quick replies! I hadn't really considered the Hexar, because I thought the viewfinder was .72x. I'll have to look into that some more. Can anyone comment on how noisy the Hexar is in comparison to a Bessa?

mabelsound, do you have any trouble focusing a 50 on the R4A? At f/1.4?

If I could make due with an R4A, I think I'd rather do that, because I'm happy with my R2A in every way except the lack of wider frame lines. I just wish there were more on the used market.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[noimmunity]

'nother vote for the ZI. Has the most perfect 50 view I've ever seen on any RF, except for the R3*, which doesn't have framelines for 28.

 

[jonmanjiro]

The 28mm frameline on a Zeiss Ikon is easier to see than on an M7, MP etc. But not so great if you wear glasses.

My main lens combo is 28/50 (with a fast 35 for low light) and since I don't wear glasses the finder in the ZI is the best choice for me.

 

[kevin m]

Is there an RF body that works really well for both 28 and 50mm lenses?

No.

Even if the 28 framelines are easy to see, they do a lousy job of approximating the perspective of a 28mm lens. Perhaps the Bessa R4 does a better job, but then I'd wager it's not the best with a 50, either.

 

[maddoc]

Hexar RF ... I haven't tried the newer Bessa cameras (but an ZI ...) and the Hexar RF is as close as possible (for an RF camera) to be ideal for 50/2.8. 🙂 The noise level of the Hexar is comparable to an Contax T2, people won't really notice the camera.

 

[astroman]

Another vote for the Zeiss Ikon

 

[back alley]

zi for sure.

 

[aizan]

No.

Even if the 28 framelines are easy to see, they do a lousy job of approximating the perspective of a 28mm lens. Perhaps the Bessa R4 does a better job, but then I'd wager it's not the best with a 50, either.

anybody with a ricoh gr digital, for instance, can confirm that perspective does not change when you look at a scene through the accessory viewfinder, at the rear lcd, or with the naked eye. perspective is not the issue. the real culprit is angle of view, which is what framelines are for.

as an aside, the only photographer i know who has really delved into the visual challenges of superwides is lee friedlander.

 

[Bingley]

My suggestion is: buy film instead. That is, after you buy your 28mm lens.

Your R2a has the same magnification vf as the Bessa R, and also approximately the same as a Leica M2. On these bodies, the entire vf window works very well in approximating the 28mm fov. I really like the 28/50 combination, and I've used the vf window on a Bessa R and an M2 w/ my 28 w/out any problems. In fact, an M2 and a 28 is an excellent combination for street or landscapes. Your R2a should also work just fine.

Now, if you're looking for an excuse to trade the R2a for a ZI, that's another matter.... 🙂

 

[BillBingham2]

Here's a vote from the other side.

Nikon S2 with a 50/1.4 Nikkor and 28/3.5 CV. Use the outside edges of the frame as your frame lines and you'll be fine.

Sorry, just had to say, but I truly believe it.

B2 (;->

 

[Turtle]

a 0.58 leica might e great for the 28 but it is not for the 50. An R4 would be even worse.

Sounds like if the Ikon has better 28mm frames than the 0.72 Leica, that might be the best option.

 

[johnwnyc]

Your R2a has the same magnification vf as the Bessa R, and also approximately the same as a Leica M2. On these bodies, the entire vf window works very well in approximating the 28mm fov. I really like the 28/50 combination, and I've used the vf window on a Bessa R and an M2 w/ my 28 w/out any problems. In fact, an M2 and a 28 is an excellent combination for street or landscapes. Your R2a should also work just fine.

Yep, wholeheartedly agree.

Framelines are only approximations of the picture taking area. It takes practice, but pretty soon you'll be able to compose without the framelines in the viewfinder.

 

[thomasw_]

Hi, if you want to use a fast f1,4 50 and a 28 on one body you are going to need to make a compromise; either your body's baselength will not be effective when focussing the 50 or the framelines for the 28 won't be as easy to see or have room around them. The zi is a good compromise, but if you are willing to use an all-mechanical body, the leica m2 is also a good compromise for a 50/28 combination that would be less costly than the zi. You'd use the entire M2 vf to frame the 28. This is what I do and I find it works well. Regards, TW.

 

[RayPA]

One of the best VF for the 28 frame lines is on the CLE. However, no 50 frame lines, just 40, but that's a good thing, because I don't believe there's a bad m-mount 40.


/

 

[bastian a.]

Leica M6TTL (or M7 or MP) 0.58
The finder is good for 28mm, it even works if you wear glasses (better without) and I don't have any ploblems focussing a Summilux 1.4/50 (even with the Canon 1.2/50).

B.