How reliable is your R2a or R3a?

[bmicklea]

I've only had my R2a about a year but have put a lot of film through it in that time. I do find the noise a problem in some situations but from what I've heard the ZI isn't hugely better in that respect. I've not had any issues with the R2a despite using it in the rain and snow and bumping it around a little (no drops however). I use it with 21, 35 and 50 lenses and have never had any focus issues that weren't my own stupid fault. The viewfinder is bright and easy to focus with even in near darkness. I also like the shutter speed readout which rarely flares out.

As Frank said, the fact that I've not had any problems in the year I've had it isn't really a lot to get excited about. With both cameras having an unproven track record the choice was easy for me: go with the cheaper one and spend some cash on lenses (they take the picture, right?)

😉

 

[Ken F.]

I know it's expensive - just ordered one in the past few minutes. Ouch.

Perhaps I'd better keep it in the house!

Hi Jon,

I afraid I can't recommend that!

Cheers,
kf

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

If I keep the camera inside I can photograph a cat and a brick wall. Come to think of it some people seem to do just that.

Then I could tape a newspaper to the wall and do a 'lens test', then a 'film test', then listen to all my shutters. And rearrange my camera bags...

Better than going out into the grotty bits of the city.

 

[Ken F.]

Hey Jon,

Let me remind you, this is mental health week...
Get outside, and use that camera!

Cheers,
kf

If I keep the camera inside I can photograph a cat and a brick wall. Come to think of it some people seem to do just that.

Then I could tape a newspaper to the wall and do a 'lens test', then a 'film test', then listen to all my shutters. And rearrange my camera bags...

Better than going out into the grotty bits of the city.

 

[Dougg]

I think it's useful to think of cameras as machines, which need periodic preventive maintenance. Due to decades of using my M2 and CLE it seems reasonable to give them a CLA every 10 years or so. I have a Bessa-L and a Bessa-T as well, but in such a short time and little use that no maintenance issues have surfaced.

HOWEVER, the ZI was designed by Porsche and it shows. The R3A looks like a mutation of a generic Cosina SLR to me.

This is worth a short correction I think, as I read in Chapter III of the "Zeiss Ikon Story" on Zeiss's web site that they initially considered Porsche Design in Zell am See in Austria and did some preliminary consultation, while in parallel they also contacted Henssler & Schultheiss, a design bureau they'd worked with before. It turned out they decided to award the design work to this latter concern rather than Porsche. Wonder what cars H&S have designed as well... Can't say I'm all that fond of Chris Bangle's influence on the recent BMWs. 🙂

 

[Bryce]

This all sounds pretty encouraging to me. Maybe I'll consider one of these models....
Jon-

"sometimes the cards ain't worth a damn if you don't lay 'em down" -Jerry Garcia

Go shoot. I will too, and put the casualties on the casualty thread.

 

[BrianPhotog]

Just today my R2a dropped from a park bench to a brick walkway. The corner has some paint scarring and a small dent. The impact made the shutter fire. That's it. I finished off the roll inside, dev'd it and everything looks fine.

In fact, the negative spacing seems to have improved as I didn't have a single overlapped image on that roll! 😛

 

[eric mac]

R3a

R3a

I 've shot the original Bessa R, R2 and now an R3a. These comments are almost the same for all 3 cameras. These were my carry around camera meaning they were with me most of the time in my bag. They had an average of a roll a week and none had a mechanical breakdown except for the battery giving out.

Finish- They all suffered from brassing at the same high spots on the camera after a couple of months.

Exposure- All gave good exposure whether in manual (R, R2) or in auto mode (R3a). I had to compensate for tricky lighting situations, but what camera isn't fooled.

I had problems occasionally with overlapping frames when I tried to wind to quickly using the knob and more frequently with the winder. This occured on both the R2 and R3a.

Focus was never a problem. I try a lot of wide open stuff and am satisfied with the results. I did have a problem with a Contax to M adaptor, but that is another story.

Alignment was not a problem with the R and R2, I did/am having problems with the vertical alignment with the R3a. The camera did get tossed about in the car, so I am probably at fault for this. After two or three tries, I think I finally have it back in alignment , but time will tell.

All in all I am happy with this series of cameras. No, it doesn't have the feel or heft of my M2, but it does what I want it do.

Eric

 

[kshapero]

The viewfinder eyepiece ring falls off. It needs a weekly check and re-tightening.

Double ditto on this. Buy an extra.

 

[gareth]

Can't answer your question I'm afraid, not yet anyway.

Was on holiday just there, a wee trip to the outer Hebrides. On the way back I took a detour by Ffordes. As a result I now have a virgin Bessa R2a sitting in front of me.


For those of you who saw my initial post inquiring about these cameras, your answers encouraged me to take that detour and check it out.

My main worry was the patch. I was surprised in the shop at how small the patch is, but then it is much much better than my Canonet in terms of focusing precision. Not tried it in anger, but I'm fairly confident that I'll be able to focus fairly rapidly once I get a chance to get a few rolls through her.

Oh I went for an Ultron 35mm f1.7

Oh and does anybody else make filters for these lenses? Ffordes only do B+W, and Hoya doesn't seem to go that small. 72 quid for a B+W polarizer? Nae chance o us peyin tha!

 

[Grober]

I considered the M7 but have heard many complaints about battery drain.

Not to worry. I had an M7 for about three years and replaced its batteries about once a year. Big Deal. A small investment in order to use such a magnificent instrument. (Now awaiting my first M8, already on order.)

-g

 

[x-ray]

Thanks for all the help. I haven't made the decision yet but lean tword the R2a. My lovely sweet wife is going to give me which ever i want for my birthday 11/6 so I need to deceide quickly.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Remember that the R2A is getting updated to R4A in a few months with framelines for 21, 25, 28, 35 and 50.

Sorry to add that spanner in the works late on in the decision-making process. Blame Mr Kobayashi - he keeps announcing new products.

 

[gareth]

Remember that the R2A is getting updated to R4A in a few months with framelines for 21, 25, 28, 35 and 50.

Now you tell us. Darn that sounds like an interesting camera. Are such wide framelines not unusual?

I just bought a brand new R2A, would have held out for this R4A had I known. Not to worry.

Oh had one roll of film through it. Standing outside high rise flats at a candle lit vigil in the middle of the night. Delta 3200asa, and lens at or near f1.7 Much fumbling about with camera, as you do with any new camera. Found it hard to focus, but there was sod all light. Fired off a roll, then got out the 5D with 24mmf1.4.

One thing I didn't like was the aperture ring on the Ultron f1.7, it's far too light, too easy to bump it on when focusing.

I love how tiny it is compared to my 5D. But perhaps I need to shoot in some better light before I try very low light again.

And the film is in my darkroom dev queue.

 

[kully]

The R4a will have a lower magnification what what I recall, so focussing will be even more difficult than the R2a (been using mine at 1.4-2 with varying degrees of success).

I think they can live with each other, I wouldn't trade up as I prefer 35,50&90 focal lengths.

But, I'm wondering what other improvements it will have.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Now you tell us. Darn that sounds like an interesting camera. Are such wide framelines not unusual?

Such wide framelines are a first.

I think it was Stephen Gandy (CameraQuest) who said that the R4A/R4M was the star of Photokina, not the Leica M8.

Black only, still no silver and no gray announced. Matte black on the A (better than current finish) and 'piano' glossy on the M (like the previous M's).

There's a whole thread here about it.

 

[gareth]

Cheers,

Well I need to get out find excuses to use my r2a, and see how I get on.
She is quite a sweet little thing, shame about the racket from the shutter though.

Pleased to find the film advance is light, rapid and the lever well placed. As is rewinding.

Wondering if I should get the finger grip to protect the base. Does it cover the whole base? Anybody fitted one?

 

[Ken F.]

The R4a will have a lower magnification what what I recall, so focussing will be even more difficult than the R2a (been using mine at 1.4-2 with varying degrees of success).

I think they can live with each other, I wouldn't trade up as I prefer 35,50&90 focal lengths.

But, I'm wondering what other improvements it will have.

Hi Kully,

I just sold my R2a yesterday, and am probably going to go for an R4a to compliment my MP. I had no problems with focus on my R2a, even with my Noctilux, wide open. I read in one of the previos posts from Mr. Gandy, that the RF baselength on the R4a was the same as the R2a, should be fine then.

Cheers,
kf

 

[peter_n]

I considered the M7 but have heard many complaints about battery drain.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I have two, one a year & a half old and the other a year old. I've changed the batteries in the year old one which was new. (I think they come with "weak" batteries.)

As you will know the M7 shutter dial rotates in the opposite direction to that on your MPs. This may not be a problem for you but if it is, I think the CV shutter dials rotate in the same direction as the older Leicas so that may be a consideration for you.

 

[x-ray]

Any word on when the R4a will be on the shelves in the US?