Looking to buy Bessa

[southpaw]

I am looking to buy a Bessa R camera and I am leaning towards the R2A because I will probably start with a 35mm lens.


I wear glasses and must wear them always. I need to know which Bess finder is the best for eyeglass wearers? I have read confusing opinions and reports.

 

[chambrenoire]

"The disadvantage of the R3A to some glasses wearers is trouble seeing all four edges of the 40 frameline. This problem increases with the thickness of your glasses. Yet many people who are bothered by this are expecting SLR like viewing accuracy from the framelines. In fact framelines in all Leica mount cameras (regardless of camera manufacturer) are more like approximations as they show the minimum you will get on film when the camera is focused at its closest focus distance. At infinity, you always get more than what the framelines show. Bottom line, it depends upon your glasses and what works with you. Even if you wear thick glasses, you will likely have no problem seeing the 50/75/90 R3A framelines."

http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtr2ar3a.htm
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[geejay]

Hi,southpaw

You might be better going for the Bessa R4A with its .52 viewfinder for
someone who wears glasses.
It should suite your 35mm lens alright.

The R4A has framelines for 21/25/28/35/50mm lens
hope this helps you some what

 

[blackwave]

I had a R2A and used the 35mm framelines with glasses that weren't very thick. I couldn't see them all that great, but it bothers some people more than others. I have a R3A now and the 40mm framelines are the same deal. I've been thinking about contacts 🙂

 

[degruyl]

I've been thinking about contacts 🙂

Same.

I have thick glasses, and have to shift my eyes around on almost every camera I have ever owned.

If your vision can be corrected by a nikon diopter, (I think it is +3 to -3, but look it up: they are the same as the FM2 series of camera) then you should consider buying one off the bat. With an R2/3/4, of course.

I don't have that option, so contacts are on order.

Plus, I have some cameras which really like to scratch glasses. The Bessa being one of them. Once the viewfinder cover ring works off, the bare metal scratches lenses something fierce. Put something on it to make it stick better, and keep an eye on it.

Also, consider the Nikon eye-cup for both light interference protection and rubber on glasses.

The R4A and glasses works pretty well at 35mm. 21mm is out, of course. The only problem at 35 is seeing the speed indicator at the bottom of the vf.

 

[blackwave]

I considered a diopter, but the problem is once I remove the camera from my eye I can't see anything! My vision isn't *that* bad, but bad enough to be irritating.

 

[rbiemer]

I wear fairly thick glasses--very farsighted and lots of astigmatism--and have been happy with my R2a and R cameras. The 35 frame lines are not easy for me but usable. I have to look around the viewfinder to see the frame lines but that has the benefit of making me really look at what's in the frame.
I will say that I shoot a 50mm lens more often than any other and the 50 frame lines on both cameras serve me very well. And I prefer separate VFs for other focal lengths.
Rob

 

[climbing_vine]

I shoot with my left eye, which is my eye that's almost blind without lenses. I'm not sure why, but at any rate, the R2A never gave me a problem with my glasses. That said, I shot exclusively 50mm--nothing wider. And I'm used to doing things like shooting a 35 on the FED-2 without a matching viewfinder so my estimation is pretty decent.

 

[pesphoto]

I use an R and have glasses, no problems at all.

 

[Morry Katz]

I've been using a Rollei 35RF (basicallly a Bessa R2M) with frames for 40, 50 &80. I am left eyed and wear glasses. No problem seeing all the frame lines. It also has a Rollei Rapid Winder - for easier shooting for left-eyed folks. I might be interested in selling it . Send me a PM for more information.

Morry Katz - Lethbridge, Canada

 

[Wallo]

Southpaw, it's best if you can try before buying. In my opinion, Bessa R2A is usable with glasses and a 35mm lens, but some extra protection may be needed to avoid scratching your glasses. The big question is whether you want to use wider or longer than 35mm. I recommend making your choice (if between R2A and R4A) based on your answer to that one. The R4A is a pretty special camera, but I think you should choose it only if you really want to use wides.