New member looking for advice on RF

[Lol999]

Hi all, new to the RFF and seeking a bit of guidance. I don't own a RF anymore, I've just sold an Electro 35 GTN after shooting 1 roll through it as it just wasn't for me. I tend to shoot "street" and have used my Nikon F3/Nikkor 28mm rig prefocussed and shoot from the hip. Whilst this is generally good i would prefer something a little quieter. There are times the mirror slap just isn't conducive to stealth! I also need something at least 28mm( or equivalence) so I can use the pre-focus method. Funds are an issue and I have sort of alighted on a Bessa with Snapshot Skopar. I shop on that popular auction site fwiw. My question is: how does shutter noise of the Bessa L compare to an F3? Am I spending cash for little return? What other options in s/h gear are there bearing in mind the need for wideangle? I've considered digital, but am not that convinced. A lot of compacts have motorwind, hardly conducive to stealth, so they are out. Looked at the Hexar AF, but remain unsure about the complexity and potential for going wrong.
Sorry for the length of post, hope someone can be of guidance!

Thanks, Lol

 

[dazedgonebye]

I can't comment on the shutter sound of a F3, but if you put a half case on that L and use the snapshot skopar, I think you may be quite happy.

 

[wgerrard]

I have a Bessa R4M and a Hexar AF. Neither is silent. If you use either camera in an otherwise silent venue, someone will hear it. If there's the usual ambient noise, I think it's a tossup.

The Hexar AF, running in silent mode, does, in fact, have a barely audible shutter. However, the motorized fiim advance is still audible. It slows down in silent mode, but it isn't silent. I don't have the tools to measure the difference, and I really don't care, but I'd guess, given the differences in the nature of the sound, the AF is less noticable than the Bessa.