Help understanding Bessa/Rangefinders

[lilybriscoe]

Hi:

I am an experienced SLR film user considering buying my first rangefinder.
I have carefully reviewed information about the Bessa R2A on the cameraquest website. I am having trouble understanding some of the terms and concepts as I move from SLR land to rangefinder world. Any enlightment would be really appreciated:

1. What are sight lines? Is there a connection between the lens being used and the sight lines?

2. Do any of the newer Bessa's indicate the number of stops exposure stops (+1, +2, -1, _+1)?? My classmate has a Bessa and his just indicatesa plus or minus sign to represent exposure -- no numbers

3. Do the lenses block what you see in the viewfinder?

4. Finally, any starter lens recommendations? I prefer to use a 35mm or 40 mm lens for street photography.

Thank you for your patience.

 

[sockeyed]

1. you probably mean 'bright lines' - those are the lines which indicate the field of view for different focal lengths, and they are projected in the viewfinder. You select different bright lines for different focal lengths with a switch on top of body. On Leicas and Hexars, this is automatic

2. The Bessa R3M and R4M have the exposure display system you describe. The R3A and R4A show you the shutter speed the corresponds to the aperture you've set on the lens. The Bessa R and R2 display two sideways triangles. No Bessa just show plus or minus signs.

3. Depends which lens and which focal length you're using. Small lenses like the 28/3.5 and the 50/2.5 will not block the VF. Larger ones like the 28/1.9 will block some.

4. I would suggest an R3A or R3M with a 40/1.4 as a great started kit. If you wear glasses, I would recommend the R2A or R2M with a 35/2.5.

Hope this helps.

 

[rover]

Bright lines are the outlines in the viewfinder showing the approximate view of the lens. The entire R2a viewfinder probably shows close to a 28mm lens' field of view. The R2a has bright lines showing the area of that entire field covered by a 35, 50, 75 or 90mm lenses.

Who has an R2a who can explain the meter display?

Yes, larger lenses may block a portion of the viewfinder. Not really that big of a deal, you can work around it.

All of the CV 35mm lenses are very good as are many by other manufacturers. The CV 40 is fast if you need a lens for low light conditions, and the Rokkor/Summicron 40mm lenses are great. I had a 40 Rokkor that I regret selling.

 

[Terao]

Another vote here for the R3A and 40mm Nokton - they were quite literally made for each other. The best way to dip your toe in rangefinder waters at very low risk - used example of both the body and the lens hold their value. If you use the optional hood you'll block the viewfinder just slightly.
I'd favour the R3A for giving you a very non-SLR experience due to the 1:1 viewfinder mag - means that you can shoot with both eyes open...

There are a few 40mm samples in my gallery but bear in mind that those were taken with my R-D1 which makes the field of view effectively ~60mm. Check Sockeyed's gallery - he has loads of 40mm film samples that also happen to be far better than mine 🙂

 

[clintock]

After being 'raised' on slr, everytime I get a new lens for a rangefinder camera, I still put the lens on the body and look through the viewfinder expecting to see something different due to the new lens!

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

There's no +/- in the viewfinder of an R2/3, but the compensation dial on top does have the numbers.

In the viewfinder you see your exposure and the camera's recommended exposure and it's up to you whether you agree with the camera or not, and adjust your exposure or not. That's in manual.

If you're going to agree all the time with the camera's exposure recommendations than you may as well put it on A(utomatic) and let it do its own thing. You can still dial in some +/- exposure compensation.

 

[pcfranchina]

R3a with the 40 is a great combo. Add on a side grip and a wrist strap and it really feels nice. A great street shooter.

 

[kshapero]

I have an R3M and you do see pluses and minuses in the window. Matches beautifully with a 40mm lens. i wear glasses. The ability to have 1:1 magnification far outweighs not always seeing the framelines due to wearing glasses.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Sorry, I meant to type R2A/R3A (not R2/R3). Thank you kshapero.

 

[kshapero]

order of priority, IMHO:
1. Photographer's eye
2. Good lenses
3. Camera body

 

[wrenhunter]

No Bessa just show plus or minus signs.

You are mistaken here. The Bessa R does show a plus or minus sign, in red LED. It also shows a red circle when the meter thinks the exposure is correct. I've never seen triangles, but I've never shot an R2, either.

 

[markinlondon]

My Bessa R had +/- symbols as well. Just like my Cosina C1 SLR funnily enough. Maybe it's an early vs. late production thing?

 

[wrenhunter]

My Bessa R had +/- symbols as well. Just like my Cosina C1 SLR funnily enough. Maybe it's an early vs. late production thing?

Could be. On further reflection, the +/- symbols do appear inside triangles in my R. Maybe the symbols were added in a later run.