Making a $700 Bessa body/lens package?

[drewbarb]

Lots of good sound advice here. The only thing I would add is that I think it's better to get a M-mount (bayonette) body than a screw mount body. Gives you more choices in lenses- LTM-M adapters are fairly cheap and easy to use for screw lenses, and you also get 50+ years worth of M mounts, plus the new Zeiss lenses, and some VC lenses in M only mounts. Plus if/when you choose to add another body, this body will still be better built/more functional backup and take the same lenses with no issues.

Try the 50mm on the R3A, too- incredible, and better than it is on R2/x, with the R3x's 1:1 finder. I'd only think about the R2/x if I loved 35mm focal length.

 

[rogue_designer]

Actually, I have a question that might be silly regarding framelines... On the 40mm setting (R3A), what do the small inner lines represent in relation to the outer lines?

I believe that they are the framelines for 90mm lenses, so it's a 40/90 frameset.

 

[bml]

I believe that they are the framelines for 90mm lenses, so it's a 40/90 frameset.

Of course, yea... that makes sense. Forgot about that.

I actually did have a bit of trouble making out the far right frameline on the 40mm setting with my glasses on, but I'm hoping that can be overcome with some slight adjustments. Anyone else find they have trouble with that?

 

[pcfranchina]

PhotoVillage is a nice place. After much reading and thinking I went there last year to get the Bessa R with the 35. Once I got them in my hand I went straight for the R3a with the 40. It just felt better in my hand. Shortly after that I added the sidegrip and a 75mm. Life has been good ever since. The camera is much more capable then the photographer 🙂

 

[mjflory]

I actually did have a bit of trouble making out the far right frameline on the 40mm setting with my glasses on, but I'm hoping that can be overcome with some slight adjustments. Anyone else find they have trouble with that?

I think most of us bespectacled types find the 40mm frameline a bit hard to see, though I found it easier than I expected to get a sense of the full frame on the R3M. That was probably the same R3M you looked through, in fact, as I was at Photo Village last week myself buying a Bessa T for my 21/4 lens. It's a wonderful little store, and I had a very pleasant, informative, and all-too-short visit with Will Juseck.

It's a true dilemma, but I think the 1:1 viewfinder, and I suspect even the .86 Leica viewfinder option, just put the framelines too far out to the edge for us glasses wearers. The .72 viewfinder on the M6 I looked through seemed just about right.

-- Michael

 

[rover]

Glad to hear you got to handle the cameras so you could make a more informed decision.

Another thumbs up for Photovillage, I didn't go when I was in the city last week, didn't want to spend any money. 😉

 

[swoop]

Canon 50mm f1.8 with screw to M mount adapter.

 

[kshapero]

Stopped in at the Photo Village today and had some time to talk and get some nice hands-on time with the R, R2, and R3M. I'm digging the R3-A, and it's probably my top choice now. (They didn't actually have any R3As in, but the M is essentially the same body anyway, so it didn't matter.)

I like the feel of the R as well, but the R3A's options are more appealing in the end.


Actually, I have a question that might be silly regarding framelines... On the 40mm setting (R3A), what do the small inner lines represent in relation to the outer lines?

http://www.cameraquest.com/jpg4/vr3a-frame.jpeg

They represent the 90mm frameline.

 

[kshapero]

Of course, yea... that makes sense. Forgot about that.

I actually did have a bit of trouble making out the far right frameline on the 40mm setting with my glasses on, but I'm hoping that can be overcome with some slight adjustments. Anyone else find they have trouble with that?

I also wear glasses but it is not a problem. when you also keep your left eye open, you see everything. get in the habit, both eyes open.

 

[kshapero]

Glad to hear you got to handle the cameras so you could make a more informed decision.

Another thumbs up for Photovillage, I didn't go when I was in the city last week, didn't want to spend any money. 😉

I'm going to NYC this weekend. I have the same fear as you. Money!!?:bang:

 

[bml]

Thanks to all for the advice here and elsewhere, I now have my mitts on an R3A with 40/1.4.

And a special big thanks to shenkerian for the great package!! Wooo...

 

[shenkerian]

Thanks, bml. Enjoy the outfit -- I'm glad a member of RFF will be giving it more attention than I did. Post some pictures when you get a chance.

 

[Valder]

I also wear glasses but it is not a problem. when you also keep your left eye open, you see everything. get in the habit, both eyes open.

Well that is good to hear. I have been lurking here for a few days trying to figure out whether to get the R2A or R3A. Been leaning towards the R3A, but the glasses issue kept popping up.




Darrin

 

[grainhound]

It's essential to have a look at the camera for yourself. In the early stages of looking for a rangefinder, I had favoured an R3a because of what I'd read. Looking through the viewfinder however, I quite disliked the effort I needed to put into seeing the entire 40mm frame. I wear reading glasses, but not to look through a viewfinder or focus. The R2a was much better for me. I then got lucky on an M2 & subsequently reduced my savings by getting a 4th gen 35mm 'cron, based on what I'd read. Then saw Magus' comments. Fortunately for me, I don't see what he complains about. My point again, is that you really need to see for yourself - if at all possible.

 

[Valder]

I'll be going to B&H at the end of December....hopefully they have both there to look at, but from their site it doesn't seem they will. I could always order both. 😀




Darrin