got the R3a today

[Allen Gilman]

Hello all,

I picked up the R3a today (not the 40mm lens - I'll be ordering that from Gandy so it'll take some time). Some initial impressions based on the body itself:

Nice and light - not a brick like a Leica but the light weight is nice depending on your mileage. The viewfinder is bright and the 1:1 mag is very nice - never experienced it until today. The shutter sound is slightly quieter than a R2 (tested both side by side). The R3a's shutter has a more compact sound that the looser clack of the R2a. The aperture priority function is a plus but I'm not excited about the exposure lock button. You have to keep it pressed down to keep the exposure locked. Once you let go of the button, the meter continues to function. It's okay I guess - better some type of exposure lock than none at all.

Back to the viewfinder. I'm a bit disappointed - not for myself but for those who wear glasses. If you wear glasses and are considering purchasing this camera specifically for the 40mm - think again. The 40mm framelines sit much akin to 28mm framelines on a .72 Leica. I don't wear glasses and I really have to be pressed in to take it all in. It's not the most comfortable thing and I'm a little disappointed at CV's marketing here.

Apologies - I'm writing this in between classes (I'm teaching at the moment) and I have to teach another class now. I'll continue in a little while!

Those are the biggest points I've noticed so far. Take it easy if you have any questions - I'm not so used to shooting with rangefinders but I'll try to answer any q's you may have...

 

[Kris]

Allen, are you saying that you can't see all 40mm brightlines even without glasses? How would you compare it to 35mm brightlines on R2? I find 35mm framelines okay; have to get my eye really close and well centered to the eyepiece but nothing major.

That AE lock button, can you also perform AE lock by half-pressing the shutter button or that button at the back is the only way to do it. I'd say I hate the idea of continuously pressing that button because I'm a left eye user and my thumb would stick right into my right eye.

Does it have double shutter like the old R2?

Cheers,
Kris

 

[Allen Gilman]

Kris,

Without glasses, I can see all of the framelines if I don't concentrate my vision to any side of the frame. If I concentrate on just using peripheral vision, I can see everything - once you start glancing around to one side, the framelines on the other side disappear unless done carefully. If I wore glasses, I don't think it would work. It's really a shame because the camera was released with the 40mm and it's really a nice camera for the price overall. If you don't wear glasses, I think the camera is still worth looking into. The framelines are nice and bright and I will definitely enjoy using it in low light situations. A 50mm lens with this camera will be nice.

I don't think you can lock exposure by half-pressing the shutter button like the M7 - have to use the button on the back. It might be a pain for you if you use your left eye.

The viewfinder display is nice and simple. In AE, you see the shutter number at the bottom and that's all folks.

Kris, I've never used the R2 before. Could you kindly explain what a double shutter is and perhaps I could respond to your question.

 

[peter_n]

Very cool Allen, thanks for the report! 😎 So the shutter is only slightly quieter, eh? I was hoping for a bit more than slightly...

 

[Allen Gilman]

Hey Peter, yup - slightly quieter because it sounds more tight. Can't wait to get the 40mm for it so I can start slinging film through it. Will post pics at that time. Here in Tokyo, the R3a is selling fast at the dealer I went to and the 40mm SC version is selling faster. They only had 2 left when I went there. It's not for me or else I would've picked it up too.

 

[peter_n]

Interesting that the SC is selling out. It was thought that it would be very popular in Japan but perhaps not so much in other countries. I'll be very interested to see images from your MC when you finally get it.

 

[Designer]

Thanks for you preliminary report! Allen.

 

[rover]

Allen, have you tried to use it with both eyes open? Do you notice any situations where you feel the AE is inaccurate? Are the framelines for75mm and 90mm larger than the R2?

And yes, thank you for the report and info.

 

[Kris]

Allen, R2 has three layers of shutter blades in total. That grey one you see from the front is used to shield the actual shutter and looks pretty thick to me; probably the main source of noise.

Not that I care about the noise but maybe Cosina removes that thick shutter on R3A making it quieter.

Also, don't forget to post some photos taken with 40/1.4 as soon as you've got some.

 

[Doug]

I don't think you can lock exposure by half-pressing the shutter button like the M7 - have to use the button on the back. It might be a pain for you if you use your left eye.

Thanks for the interesting comments, Allen! Sounds like using the exposure lock button would prevent winding film for the next shot if you want to use the same exposure. Maybe the trigger winder would be a good solution for that...

 

[rover]

Have you tried focusing fast lenses? Is it crisp and sure?

Sorry, mine is still a couple weeks away, and now I am thinking about it, a lot.

 

[aizan]

please, oh please, oh please let glass wearers be able to see at least two framelines in one corner and not have the rangefinder flare....

 

[Allen Gilman]

Okay, back after some sleep. My friend is lending me his Leitz 50mm so I'm gonna go shoot a roll tonight in low light (it's evening here in Tokyo). After that, I'll let you know how it feels in operation. Kris, there's no significant difference in shutter sound in terms of loudness - there is in quality though - it's a very nice compact sound.

Aizan, I really would recommend holding this camera in your hands before making a purchase if you wear glasses. If I wore glasses, I wouldn't have bought it.

Doug, how would a trigger winder solve the AE lock problem? I assume you're talking about a future model...

Anyway, I'm off to burn some film through this thing. Let you know how that went tomorrow! BTW, a belated happy thanksgiving to you all from here in Tokyo.

 

[rover]

Thank you for the hands on report Allen, the rest of us will flood the boards and confirm your findings when we get a chance.

I think what Doug means is that with the trigger winder you can park your thumb on or near the AE lock button and not have to worry about hunting around to find it while you compose a shot. Your thumb will have only 1 thing to do if it doesn't have to wind the film.

 

[Sonnar]

The thing with the 40mm remembers me at my old Canon-P... 1:1-viewfinder as well, hard to overview the whole 35mm field at one glance with eyeglasses (and my are very thin)
maybe physics sets a limit here...

 

[aizan]

the r3a has a more permanent ae lock. it's called manual. =)

 

[rover]

I actually fiddled with the prototype Zeiss Ikon which appears to have the same AE lock. I kind of liked it. I do like my cameras where it is activated by partially depressing the shutter release button, but my impression of this button placement was favorable.

 

[Allen Gilman]

Last night, I shot a roll with the R3a and 50mm lens. Overall, the camera was comfortable to use. Low light focusing was great and everything fuctioned as a simple camera should. The shutter is quite sensitive. I must have fired off 5-8 shots when I was just half-depressing for a reading. Other than that, nothing great nothing bad. It's a nice little camera - great for the price. My friend, who was shooting with me (he shoots w/ a Leica M7) would look over occasionally with a look like, "Jesus, can't you lower the volume of that shutter?" It sounds fine to me.

 

[Doug]

Doug, how would a trigger winder solve the AE lock problem? I assume you're talking about a future model...

Hi Allen -- If you lock the AE with your right thumb on the lock button and want to keep it locked while you make another exposure, how do you operate the thumb film-wind lever? I propose the trigger winder is the solution to this, as it allows you to wind the film without taking your thumb off the lock button. (Referring to the R2a/R3a, not any model future to those.) Does this make sense now? 😉

 

[rover]

..., nothing great nothing bad. It's a nice little camera - great for the price. ...

Thats all I am looking for and the best thing I could read in a review, thank you.

My friend, who was shooting with me (he shoots w/ a Leica M7) would look over occasionally with a look like, "Jesus, can't you lower the volume of that shutter?" It sounds fine to me.

Every once and a while, when you aren't shooting, walk up quitely behind him and say distinctly and sharply, "CLICK," and then walk away. After about 100 of these incidents he won't mind the Bessa shutter.

You know, in a friendly way I mean.🙂 :angel: 😎