Minolta CLE v Bessa R3A

[Iestrada]

The CLE rangefinder patch is more like those on 70s Japanese fixed lens RF cameras (IIRC difficult to see little yellow diamond over a blue tinted field) while the Bessa 3A viewfinder is more familiar to Leica RF users. I prefer the Bessa because of this. YMMV.

I have never had an issue focusing. It has a beutiful viewfinder. If you like the field view of 28mm lenses, there is no better viewfinder for it.

 

[BillBingham2]

A 1:1 finder is hard to say no to. I loved my Nikon S2 because of it, shooting with two eyes open IMHO rocks, nothing else compares.

With that said, CLE, I love the form factor. Pick up a couple of DOA/parts camera, an XG or two also from what I read above. I'm not a bit electronic camera fan but as they both are smaller it better.

I think either way if you find a good example of either you are fine.

B2

 

[Archlich]

The CLE patch is small, no doubt to that. Well defined it is still, unlike the 1970s rangefinders.