New to RFF, new to rangefinders...

[pthurst]

Good day,

I have just signed up to RFF, in fact this is my very first post.

Basically I have JUST mail ordered a Bessa R3a along with a 50mm 1.4 lense and also a 15mm 4.5 lense... I cant wait to get my mits on the gear, hopefully tomorrow.

Now I'm from the good 'old' digital stock, an avid EOS 300D (rebel) user so I know that there will be a bit of learning to be done but just how much?

In my very first post, I'd like to ask for other new users and more experienced 'Rangers' to offer any hot tips on how to get the best out of both the equipment and the community here at RFF.

Do I need to completely 're-learn' how to use a camera?... There's no digital here its film only... how will I cope? and is it really possible to accidentally take a picture with the lense cap still on???

Looking forward to posting my first (black) pics....

Paul

 

[RML]

Yes, you can (and will) take shots with the cap on. 😛

 

[RML]

Oh, forgot... WELCOME!

IMO the best way to get to know the Bessa is just to hold it in your hands. You'll soon find similarities and differences, which might or might not cause you trouble. By all means, drop a note when you have any questions. Right now I can't think of anything more useful than "Keep your eye open". 🙂

 

[Goodyear]

Yes, you can (and will) take shots with the cap on. 😛

Also, you will forget once or twice (at least) that the nice sharp image in the viewfinder is always like that, even when you haven't focussed yet!

It was a 300D that got me back into photography about a year ago.

Since then, it has all come back, and I've been back into all-manual film with a vengence. Your R3a won't take five minutes to switch on, and you won't have to wait hours for the buffer to flush. You will, however, have to remember to wind the film on ("why isn't it taking a picture!"). Also, since I've been using a Bessa R, and an old K1000, and various other nice items, it always takes me a while to get back used to that postage stamp of a viewfinder on the 300D. I never realised how crap it was until I got the Bessa.

Be prepared to go through a lot of film until you get out of the digital machine-gun habit, but then don't be stingy with it either! And be prepared for GAS...

And most of all, enjoy it. My cameras are horses-for-courses, each I use for a particular job (even the 300D, if I can say that round here - I still think it's a cool piece of kit), but for the sheer tactile pleasure of using the equipment, my Bessa wins (in a close tie with my Autocord, I'll admit). I think I've always been a rangefinder kind of guy, but only discovered that when I got one in December...

 

[Designer]

Welcome to the forum! Paul, and congratulations on getting your new RF. 🙂

Keven

 

[peter_n]

Hey Paul, I do like your avatar! 😎 Welcome to the forum!! This place is not completely analog, there is an Epson R-D1 forum if you want to dip your toe in there. Also nice to see someone from Manchester (my home town) here! I've been living out here in the colonies 😉 for quite a while... Good luck with the new R3A!

 

[GeneW]

Welcome, Paul. I think the best way to learn your way into your new Bessa is simply to use it, lots! Something I found useful was to leave my digital at home when I'm out with a rangefinder camera. That way I concentrate solely on shooting the RF and shooting film. I find that if I have a digital along, I tend to use it out of convenience.

Gene

 

[RML]

I find that if I have a digital along, I tend to use it out of convenience.

I've that experience as well.
I got me a 300D just before last Xmas and though I loath the bulk of the camera I find that, if I bring it along with my RF camera(s), I use it out of sheer convenience, even though I like to shoot RF much more than shooting the 300D.

Doesn't make sense, right? 😛

 

[peter_n]

What you need to do is get rid of that 300D and get yourself an R-D1 Remy! 😉

 

[nwcanonman]

Will you take a picture with the lens cap on?
OF COURSE!
That's part of the alure of rangefinder cameras 😀
And Welcome too.

 

[Peter]

Welcome Paul and you will love the feel of loading films into your camera. I do not foresee a steep learning curve, just getting use to not reviewing each shot!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

If you use the meter, you will take the lens cap off. Otherwise, the meter indicates under-exposure. Remembering to focus may take a little more time.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Warren T.]

Welcome Paul!

As mentioned before, you won't have the luxury of the machine gun approach to snapping pictures nor will you be able to instantly review your shots. Therefore, you learn to pre-visualize your shots more and bracket your exposures. Most of my film experience has been shooting SLR's, and I find it refreshing to switch to my RF gear when I feel like it. I'm looking forward to seeing your first shots with your new gear.

Regards,

Warren

 

[canonetc]

Hi Paul, welcome!

Take your time until you get faster. Make sure there's film in the camera. Hyperfocal focusing is fun (still a challenge for me, though). Most of all, enjoy the silence when you click the shutter. Enjoy carrying it everywhere and shooting as people do not notice you. Enjoy answering the question, "is THAT a camera!?!". Enjoy the unique novelty of shooting with ease next to the guys and gals with their bulky digital SLR's. Enjoy their looks of envy and wonderment ("Hmmm..is that guy with MAGNUM?"). Enjoy being a part of a large yet novel community of folks who value photography AS IT IS, not merely as a tool for profit or consumption (altho GAS is..well...excitingly problematic...). And enjoy the simple pleasure of freedom RF's permit. Cheers!

 

[RML]

What you need to do is get rid of that 300D and get yourself an R-D1 Remy! 😉

Peter, are you going to Hong Kong any time soon? If so, can you buy an R-D1 there for me and drop it off in Holland on your way back? 😛 IIRC, the prices of the R-D1 in HK are now about $1000, which is still quite some money but an amount I can afford (unlike the 3000 euro I'd have to shell out here in Holland). If I had time and money I'd be off to HK yesterday. Hmmm, then I wouldn't have been able to read the RFF book that finally came. OK, I'd be off tomorrow (being at work from 3.30 am right now). 🙂

 

[peter_n]

Yea I wondered what you were doing up at this hour! Unfortunately for you my next trip is to Madrid (soon) so HK will have to wait. I can hardly believe the price is $1K! Have those cameras "fallen off the back of a lorry" as we would say in England... 😉

Surely that price will show up soon in mail-order from HK?

 

[RML]

I can't find the thread anymore but an RFF member has it from his HK friend (and reconfirmed at that!). So, I guess that rules out the lorry.

If I could get the R-D1 for a mere $1K as mail order I'd be the first to buy it. Let's see how much duties would add to the price.... I think I'd still be only talking some $1250 (or 1000 euros)!

 

[pthurst]

Thanks for the advice and thanks also for the warm welcome!

I was awoken at 8.30am this morning with my parcel from Robert White Photography 🙂 all present and correct.

In under 24 hours from placing my order, I now own an R3a and an L mount Bessa.

I will write a full 'review' on completion of my first roll, which Will not take long 🙂

So far, I am very pleased with the kit, I think I understand the basics but will have to experiment with the second 15mm lense that I bought as I cannot get the two images to 'marry' in the viewfinder on the R3a 🙂 I'll just take those readings from the dials.

At this early stage, I am really looking forward to the day ahead but for all UK members of the forum may I highly recommend Robert White photography to you, the gentleman who took my phone order answered all my questions and was obviously a photographer himself, I will be using them again.

Right its off to shoot and then I shall report back, hopefully with a few example shots

Paul

 

[Goodyear]

I think I understand the basics but will have to experiment with the second 15mm lense that I bought as I cannot get the two images to 'marry' in the viewfinder on the R3a 🙂 I'll just take those readings from the dials.l

That's becasue the 15 isn't renagefinder-coupled - ie it doesn't interact with the rf in the camera. It's designed to be focused using the distance and depth-of-field scales on the lens barrel, by estimating distance to your subject and making sure it falls within the DOF marks for your selected aperture.

Sounds scary, coming from AF-land, but that wide your depth-of-field is so massive, it's hard not to get it right! Mya dvice would be to put that lens on your L and leave it there - they were made for eachother. Literally, I believe 🙂

/edit: should have said, try this - set your aperture, and line up the infinity mark with the far DOF mark for that aperture. Check where the near DOF mark falls, and everything from there to infinity will be ('acceptably', however thee things are judged) in focus. Then just set shutter speed, point, and shoot, and leave it there!

 

[kuvvy]

welcome to another Paul....and from the same neck of the woods. I'm in Rochdale. Now you've got the bug you'll be like the rest of us and spending on a regular basis. No sooner had I got my Bessa R from an RFF member I added an Industar, a Zorki4 +J8, then a 50/2.5 ( from another RFF member), then a Bessa L from oBoy auctions, Mr Gandy sent me a 25/4 which arrived yesterday and I've got a 35/2.5 on it's way from backalley (yet another member). It's damned addictive for sure and nobody here will try to help cure you of it.

I'ev been out this morning to Uppermill Art Gallery to see Oldham Photographic Societys exhibition and whilst there I tried out a few shots with the new L + 25/4 combo.

Paul