Camera Choices - Advice, Please

[1750Shooter]

I'm trying to decide on a new camera - it will be used mainly with either a 28mm or 35mm lens & mostly for street work. Given that, which would you choose, an M3 or a Bessa R3A? I'm limited to these two primarily due to price, but am open to other suggestions. Thanks for your help.

 

[The Expanding Man]

I am by no means an expert, but I have very recently had to make almost the exact same decision.

M3 - classic, will retain it's value, will require ongoing maintenance and repairs, much better built.

R3A - will not require initial ongoing maintenance. Has the advantage of automatic shutter speed setting. Has a 1/1 view finder. Not as well built. Not likely to maintain it's value long term.

After my research, I ended up buying an M4 and an R3a 😀

 

[Steinberg2010]

An M3 is not the best choice for either 28mm or 35mm lenses as the widest framelines in the finder are 50mm. You should be looking for an M2 in that case, which should be around the same price.

~S

 

[Snapper_uk]

If you are using 35mm mostly then the R3a is not a great choice - but the Bessa R2a is perfect for the 35mm lens.

If you are using the 28mm a lot then consider the Bessa R4a, as that has 28mm framelines, as well as 35mm. On the R2a/R3a you'll need an external viewfinder to use a 28mm.

Whatever Bessa, a great choice, far more useable than an M3.

 

[thegman]

If the "sexiness" of a camera matters to you, get a Leica M3 or M2, they are beautiful cameras. If pure functionality matters, then Bessa every time. Aperture priority shooting/meter etc. can make a bit of difference if you're in a hurry.

Also you'll likely find the finder of a Bessa much nicer than just about any Leica, they are clearer and the range finder patch tends to be a bit more distinct/contrasty.

If a meter is not important to you, then an M3 is a truly beautiful camera.

 

[jsrockit]

I'm trying to decide on a new camera - it will be used mainly with either a 28mm or 35mm lens & mostly for street work. Given that, which would you choose, an M3 or a Bessa R3A? I'm limited to these two primarily due to price, but am open to other suggestions. Thanks for your help.

I'd go a used R4m for use with 28 and 35mm lenses. The R3a's framelibnes stop at 40mm (widest)...and the M3, 50mm.

 

[jsrockit]

Whatever Bessa, a great choice, far more useable than an M3.

Well, one cannot say this in absolute terms.

 

[shadowfox]

M4-P.
If you can afford M3 or R3, you can afford it. And it's designed for wider lenses.

 

[umcelinho]

R2A if you prefer a full focal length viewfinder area coverage or R4A if you prefer a little relief area around the framelines.