ideal Bessa R4

[FrankS]

You've already got your battery dependent, aperture priority R2/3A, and your mechanica R2/3M. The ideal Bessa, I think, would have the same hybred shutter of the Nikon FM3a which offers an electronic aperture priority exposure system and a full range of mechanical shutter speeds in manual mode. The M7 offers just 2 mechanical speeds, right?

 

[Chris Lynch]

I completely agree with you there!
I'd also like to see the inclusion of at least the choice for a wider finder (24 or 28mm) for all those nice CV wides.

 

[Tin]

Right on, Frank.

 

[Tin]

I completely agree with you there!
I'd also like to see the inclusion of at least the choice for a wider finder (24 or 28mm) for all those nice CV wides.

A frameline wider than 35mm is nice to have, but for me anyway, that is not a must have feature. I use my 25 mm lens without using the external viewfinder. The outer limits of the viewfinder is good enough for me. (I do wear glass.) Sometimes I may move my head slightly to the left and right just to make sure. But for grab shots, I wouldn't even bother doing that.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Framelines 25/35/50, Frank's idea of an FM3a like shutter, .60 magnification. M-mount. Bundle with a faster 25mm lens. 😉

 

[BrianPhotog]

Nah...28/35/50/75/90. 🙂

 

[Chris Lynch]

i think 25/35/50 would suit me JUST fine with a hybrid shutter- after all, those are the only focal lengths i have any desire to use on a RF...

 

[swoop]

wow. Honestly I've never even though about an R4a. But I suppose it will come around someday. The R3a is perfect in my opinion. The only thing I could imagine wanting more out of it is a quieter shutter and a 25mm frameline. I've considered getting a leica. But I am too in love with the 1:1 viewfinder.

 

[Sonnar2]

If they ever made a R4, they should place the finder in the outer edge like they did with the ZI, placing the rewind lever to the bottom. This should gain at least 12mm RF baselength without need to alternating the speed wheel axle. This will make the top side smoother, too, and give room for a 0.7x minified finder without too much lens shading. A selectable magnification (like the Canon V or VI have had) would be nice too.
I'm happy with the R3M shutter, no need for a change here.
What they don't need to copy from the ZI is the awful visible LED arrangement for shutter speeds in the finder.

cheers, Frank

 

[rxmd]

The disadvantage is that you have to take off trigger winders and the like when you want to change film.

Philipp

 

[Sonnar2]

Yes, and film rewind is "wrong direction" when first time. I can live with both.

 

[rover]

Getting back to Stephen's tease,

Something never made before.

I don't think a new Bessa is upon us though after such a short life for the R2/3 a/m.

 

[jmilkins]

the ideal R4x...would be the pre-production one sent to each RFF member by Mr K for testing prior to release 😀

 

[Trius]

1. 28/40/75/90 framelines
2. Designed by Maitani; yes, the OM-2👎 had aperture priority "automation" but full range of mechanical speeds.
3. Spot meter mode a la 35 SP.

 

[clintock]

My om-2 won't work witn a dead battery- but so what, just bring spare batteries, tape them to a film can or something.. So much obsession about batteries.. like a mechanical shutter escapement is an advantage!? You gotta carry film right? Tape a pair of batts inside the case or on the outside of a film can..
I agree, Cosina should consult Maitani on how to make a new bessa that does not look like a Zorki.

 

[dcsang]

The M7 offers just 2 mechanical speeds, right?

Ya... AND???

What are you trying to say Frank? Huh ??? HUH ?? 😉

*pets his M7* There there... it's ok.. Uncle Frank didn't mean it... honest.. it'll be ok..


😀
Dave

 

[BillBingham2]

To get me to plunk down the $600 USD, I would want to see a longer EBL on the rangefinder to handle faster lenses. From a view finder perspective I would like one that switched through a few more options. Only one frame line at a time, starting at 25, then 28, 35, 40 and 50 that was 1:1. Another body that started at 40 and went, 50, 75, 90, 105, 135. This body with the maginification as say a M3.

Give me those two adn I guess I would have to buy one of each.

B2 (;->

 

[FrankS]

My om-2 won't work witn a dead battery- but so what, just bring spare batteries, tape them to a film can or something.. So much obsession about batteries.. like a mechanical shutter escapement is an advantage!? You gotta carry film right? Tape a pair of batts inside the case or on the outside of a film can..
I agree, Cosina should consult Maitani on how to make a new bessa that does not look like a Zorki.

Yeah, I know it's irrational, but so is owning the number of cameras and 50mm lenses that I do. Who says I have to be normal, anyway!?

Sorry about that Dave! Enjoy your 2 mechanical shutter speeds. (snicker, snicker)

 

[Trius]

My om-2 won't work witn a dead battery- but so what, just bring spare batteries, tape them to a film can or something.. So much obsession about batteries.. like a mechanical shutter escapement is an advantage!? You gotta carry film right? Tape a pair of batts inside the case or on the outside of a film can..
I agree, Cosina should consult Maitani on how to make a new bessa that does not look like a Zorki.

Mea culpa ... so yes, two teeny, tiny spare batteries taped somewhwere, or just go with the OM-1👎; who the hell needs auto-exposure anyway? We're PHOTOGRAPHERS!

My choice of framelines was based on being able to nicely interpolate 35 & 50 from the 40mm frames, and the outside of the viewfinder being an adequate approximation of 25mm while the actual 28mm framline being accurate for that focal length.

I don't consider 135mm being all that important for RF photography. Some may use that FL very effectively and benefit from those framelines, but I think that for commercial purposes, including 135mm framelines has limited value.

 

[clintock]

How hard would it be to make a single brightline-parallax compensating finder (like a canonet g-III) that could zoom (but with fixed focal lengths) like the ones in digital cameras and point and shoots, yet still have a rangefinder patch? The increased magnification of telephoto settings could be helpful since the rf patch would also have to zoom, making a greater effective baselength..
That would be awesome.