New R3A owner, what lens should I look for?

[PollitowuzHere]

Well, this is my first post here on the RFF forum, after months of lurking and reading around. I recently purchased an used R3A that's almost mint, wondering what glass should I be looking for? I'm currently going to get a Skopar 35mm with the M-adapter, probably looking at either the 40mm Nokton or a Canon 50mm f/1.2. Can the Canon be accurately focused with the R3A? Also, is the 50mm Heliar f/2.0 a better lens compared to the Canon? Thanks 😀

 

[roundg]

I always think the reason goes to a R3A instead of R2 is the 40mm frameline. the 40mm Nokton is a very good lens and perfect fit for the camera.

Focus a 50mm/1.2 with the R3a is difficult (someone said they can get accurate result but I quite suspect) because of the short BL.

 

[PollitowuzHere]

Well I went for the R3 for the 1:1, the 40mm framelines, and the fact that the EBL is a bit more longer than the R2

 

[payasam]

The Skopar 35 and the Nokton 40 are so close to each other in focal length that there's probably little sense in having both. As has been said, the R3A has frame lines for 40mm. Depending on your needs, I think you'll want either a 75/90 or a 28 or wider.

 

[Austerby]

The R3A and 40/1.4 is such a fine combination that you wonder why it wasn't done before, to such an extent that I'd advise in favour of the 40mm above the 35mm for this camera.

For a good cost-effective set I'd go for the 25mm Color Skopar (get the screwmount one with the included viewfinder for the R3A) and the 75mm VC Heliar or a second hand Leica 90mm Tele-Elmarit (the tiny thin one).

You'll want for little else with this combination, but I'd personally look to add a vintage 50mm Leica RF lens such as an Elmar, Summar, Summitar, Summarit or Summicron (condition/price is more important than specific type probably) for a completely different look to your photographs.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

You've put the cart before the horse.

Select your lens(es) first then the camera later.

Anyway, you've chosen a great camera which is so well-suited to a Voigtlander Nokton 40mm/f1.4 that you'd be nuts not to go that way. A superb lens.

All you have to do now is decide whether the multicoated version or the single coated version suits your photography.

I would also recommend the trigger winder to give you a vertical hang as the camera with lens is not well-balanced otherwise.

 

[kshapero]

I have the 40mm/f1.4, can't go wrong there, also the Heliar 50mm/f2 works beautifully with it.

 

[delft]

One more vote for the 40mm; great match with the R3A

Dirk

 

[ruby.monkey]

The 40/1.4 is an excellent lens and is a pretty obvious choice on an R3A.

Focus a 50mm/1.2 with the R3a is difficult (someone said they can get accurate result but I quite suspect) because of the short BL.

Not really. I'm getting good results with mine. The main problems I've encountered are 1) that the hood blocks the rangefinder window, and 2) that glare due to bright overhead lighting reflecting off the chrome parts aft of the focussing ring can swamp the rangefinder.

 

[ljsegil]

If you can find one, the Rollei Sonnar 40mm f/2.8 HFT lens is a superb fit with the R3A, although it lacks the speed of the Nokton. Excellent images, very compact, a pleasure to shoot (with adequate light).
LJS

 

[Phantomas]

Yet another vote for 40mm 1.4. Canon’s 50 1.2 is a fine lens, no doubt about it (I’ll probably end up getting it one day), but 40mm focal length is so useful! I find you can do a lot more with it, a lot more versatile for different situations. I haven’t seen the results from mine just yet, so I’ll reserve my judgment on the image quality, although you can check numerous examples on the interwebs.

Agreed with Claremont on the trigger/grip too, he knows what he’s talking about 😉 Not only does it give you a comfortable hang (as opposed to lousy tilted hang of “bare” Bessa) but the trigger is a quite cool alternative to top winding.

For real, R3A and 40mm were made for each other, you MUST own that combo. Oh, and the rumours are true – it IS hard to use 40mm framelines on R3A.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

The R3A 40mm framelines are very close to the edge.

So ignore them.

Framing with a rangefinder camera is a bit inaccurate anyway.

It's not an SLR.

Use the whole viewfinder with an R3A and 40mm, and you'll do fine.

And be careful with the trigger winder, it's not a 5 frames a second motordrive. Click, and wait, and wind. Don't rush it.

 

[Phantomas]

Thanks for the advise Jon, I’m indeed taking care with the winder.
My framelines comment was more of an observation than a criticism. Even ignoring the framilenes and using the whole finder I have to look left and right to see the edges. I have enough experience with RF to know that the framing is not 100% accurate. If anything, all the finders I’ve used before were quite small. The one on R3A is very BIG! (heh, since when is that a bad thing, right?)

 

[mfogiel]

I'd also suggest a 40mm - if you think you can live with an f2.0 lens, get the c Summicron or M Hexanon - they have the benefit of being tiny, obviously also the Nokton will fit the bill...

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Maybe a 40/75 combo? The 40/1.4 seems like the obvious choice and the VC 75/2.5 is very nice.

 

[rpsawin]

You would have great coverage if you chose the 40mm and the 75mm or 90mm. I use the 40/75 combination alot and rarely need another lens.

That being said I often carry the ZI 25mm...just in case.

Best regards,

Bob

 

[Ducky]

I just bought a 40/1.4 for my R3A. I'll get back to you.

 

[PollitowuzHere]

Is there any notable difference between the SC and MC version of the 40mm? I like the look of the SC in both color and b&w, but don't know if its that prone to flaring.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Yes, the 40mm SC does flare, but it also gives a lovely vintage feel.

It's a trade off.

 

[PollitowuzHere]

Thanks for the info. on the flaring. Would a 40/90 be equally flexible as a 40/75?