Nikon FM3a or a Voit Bessa R3A

[kshapero]

Both cost about the same on the used market. Which would you rather?😀

 

[Ko.Fe.]

None for me to be honest. Nikon is just an SLR and where are tons of them for normal price.
I like Bessa, but where I'm no parts, no service.
For USA resident I would recommend new Bessa from Cameraquest to have no problem with service.

 

[Michalm]

I would take Bessa - big viewfinder for quicker accurate focusing.

 

[Tompas]

Depends on what lenses/focal length you will want to use: for wide-angle to 50mm I'd recommend the Bessa. If you want to (also) use telephoto lenses, choose the Nikon.

FWIW, I sold my FM3a. I am going to sell my R3a. I keep my M6, my MD-2, and my Canon P. And my FM2/T, too.

 

[kshapero]

I have both. love that 40mm on the Bessa

 

[Pioneer]

neither...like the R3M but don't get much time with it...and am not too big of a Nikon fan.

 

[Keith]

FM3A ..... for the 1/4000 shutter speed and all round versatility of an SLR.

That said I would have the Hexar RF in favor of either of them. 🙂

 

[oneANT]

Nikon is just an SLR and where are tons of them for normal price.

Some of us kick RF butts with these just Nikon SLRs Ko.fe and Im sure Akiva would love to kick some butt (grin).
I've got a FM3a and will always have one ...the same one I expect. Put a zeiss on it and make all the the RF owners look like girls.

 

[CMur12]

I would go for the SLR, and the Nikon FM3a is an exceptionally good one.

- Murray

 

[kxl]

In terms of build, features and all of that, I'd prefer an FM3A to a Bessa R3a (used to own one of each), but I find the double image focusing of an RF much faster and much easier than any of the focusing screens available for an FM3A (I found the E3 the easiest).

I currently own an FM2N and a Zeiss ZI, and yes, I would take the ZI (and that bright VF) over the FM3A.

 

[Vics]

I would go for the SLR, and the Nikon FM3a is an exceptionally good one.

- Murray

Plus one. Ten characters.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Some of us kick RF butts with these just Nikon SLRs Ko.fe and Im sure Akiva would love to kick some butt (grin).
I've got a FM3a and will always have one ...the same one I expect. Put a zeiss on it and make all the the RF owners look like girls.

By the time you'll be ready to kick RF butt, I'll be done and gone with the keeper two blocks ahead of you. Keep your Nikon for girls.

 

[nlubis]

I've had both as well.
I would go with the FM3A, but I also can't find a fault with the R3A and it's 1:1 viewfinder.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

What else do you have?

 

[craygc]

Its obviously all very personal, and no doubt based on where you are within the system of each. I had the R2A and have the FM3A. I sold the R2A. Overall, I find the build quality of the Bessa's way behind that of the CV lenses. I had the shutter jam a couple of times in the Bessa requiring surgery to fix each time. As an SLR, I really like the FM3A

 

[Kate-the-Great]

They're rather different cameras with very different lens systems, so why not both? 😀 Buy one now and another later- and then begin the true madness of collecting lenses 😛

 

[sanmich]

By the time you'll be ready to kick RF butt, I'll be done and gone with the keeper two blocks ahead of you. Keep your Nikon for girls.

what's wrong with girls?

 

[ruby.monkey]

Perhaps they's already be out making art, rather than agonising over which camera to choose?

 

[nongfuspring]

I'd rather the FM3a, but I think both options are a bit too expensive to people buying to use rather than collect. The FE2/FM2/F3/F2 are cheap compared to the FM3a, on the rangefinder side I'd rather spend much less and get a Canon P or spend a bit more on a Leica M, both of which seem to have better long term life expectancy.

 

[mfogiel]

In terms of durability and solidity it is a clear win for FM3A. In terms of usefulness - R3A for street work and FM3A for everything else.