My R3A is wierd

[zhidawei]

Hi everybody,
First let me say that I am totally new to rangefinders, having only used slrs in my photography life.What I about to say may sound stupid, but I'm sure you guys will understand. after all everyone has been there.😉

I recently bought a Bessa R3A and a 15mm Heliar lens on ebay, both were in nearly new condition. With all the good things said about this camera on the web, I thought the package would be a perfect starting point in the rangefinder world. Turned out it was far from perfect.

Before I describe the problem, let me see if my theory is right
Here is what I understand how to foucs using a rangefinder(Correct me if I'm wrong):
You look at the little focusing patch in the viewfinder while slowly rotate the focusing ring on the lens. One of the two images on the patch should move to align with the other. eventually when the two images merge into one, the focus is achieved. at this point press the shutter release to compose the frame.

Here is what happened to my camera:
I look at the focusing patch in the middle of the viewfinder, there are two identical images. As I slowly rotate the focusing ring on the lens, everything on the focusing patch remain the same. I cannot see any movement of either the two images, whatever I do. Interestingly when I try to focus something close to me i can get the two images aligned as I move back and forth.and I think this distance is fixed to about 1.5 metres.

I'm not really annoyed by this. Can anyone help me figure out what the problem is? is it something to do with the body? or the lens? or is it me?
Please your help is greatly appeciated!

 

[CDL]

Hi,

The 15mm lens is not rangefinder-coupled. You won't be able to focus throught the viewfinder. You compose through the 15mm add-on viewfinder, then zone focus.

Chris

 

[CDL]

Good examples of zone and hyperfocusing, can be found here:

http://www.markushartel.com/tutorials/archives/2006/01/infinity_vs_hyp.html

and here:

http://www.markushartel.com/tutorials/archives/2006/01/zone_focussing.html

Chris

 

[TimBonzi]

Zone focusing works greta on the 15mm lens. Look at the depth of field scale and you will see that just about everything can be in focus by f8. Read through the above article on hyperfocusing and really look at your lens markings. Very easy, very accurate.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Welcome Zhidawei,

When you shoot your first few shots with the lens cap on, then you will be a true rangefinder photographer.

 

[luketrash]

The R3A viewfinder is rendered totally useless when you're using non coupled lenses like this. To get a true 'rangefinder' experience, I would recommend picking up the 40mm Nokton lens that goes like peas and carrots with this camera.

I have the 40mm and 15mm. I've been using the 15mm lens more, because it's more 'fun' but it's nice to actually use the camera as it was intended when I have the 40mm lens in place.

 

[edho]

I have got a R2 and the 15mm lens and they work perfectly together. The thing is the 15mm lens is not coupled so you are not supposed to focus it through the camera view. The depth of view of the lens in fact almost allows everything in focus when it is at about f8, so all you have to do is to estimate the distance to the main subject and adjust the numbers on the focusing ring of the lens accordingly. It is a fun lens and great for snap shots.🙂

 

[rpsawin]

Z...

Log onto cameraquest.com and read up on the lens and rangefinders in general. Steve Gandy's site is a treasurer trove of information. And, he is a user and a CV dealer. He also supports this site.

Best Regards,

Bob

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Welcome 🙂

As Roland and others have indicated, your lens is not rangefinder coupled, so you can only use it via pre-focus/DOF. Another lens that is not rangefinder coupled is the CV 25.

These things happen, years ago when I first used a Leica body, I forgot film, then I forgot to take the lens cap off ... it gets better with practice 🙂

 

[zhidawei]

Thank you all for the help. (and good to see you here Roland!) Looks like there is a lot I need to learn. But I think I'll have fun with the camera. I'll be posting my first rangefinder pictures here as soon as they come out.

 

[pvdhaar]

Thank you all for the help. (and good to see you here Roland!) Looks like there is a lot I need to learn. But I think I'll have fun with the camera. I'll be posting my first rangefinder pictures here as soon as they come out.

I'm sure you'll have lots of fun!

You just need to be a little smarter than I am; because the RF window doesn't work, I constantly forget to (scale)focus my non RF coupled lenses altogether.. I've a bunch of very interesting out of focus wide angle shots that I'm too embarrassed to show.. 😱