Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I think the whole shutter thing has it's limitations. Leaf shutters are obviously the quietest but are usually associated with fixed lens cameras or cameras that require the shutter built into the optional lenses. Focal plane shutters seem to be limited to about 1/1000, sometimes 1/2000 and are prone to pin holes through age deterioration or burns. Copals are a little louder but mainly in a metalic sense ... don't suffer too many ills and work happily up to 1/8000 sec. I like the sound of the shutter on my R4A and can't say that I find it particularly loud!
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
mao, the quality of the bessas is superb. I've got an R4A and an R-D1, and have also had an R4M...they are very solid and reasonably quiet. I have never used a Leica, but it's true the bessas can't beat a canonet QL17 or digital p&s for quietness.
In fact, stealth is one of the best reasons to own a digital P&S.
In fact, stealth is one of the best reasons to own a digital P&S.
Spyderman
Well-known
I have M6 and Nokton 40/1.4 and after about 10 rolls shooting mostly the Nokton (what a great focal length it is!) I haven't noticed any problems composing with the 35mm framelines. When shooting closer than 2m I just compose a little inside the framelines. 40 isn't so much different than 35 especially when you consider that the framelines don't show 100% of what will be on film.
sanmich
Veteran
Black Hexar AF.
T
tedwhite
Guest
The three quietest shutters on cameras I have owned: Rolleiflex, Olympus XA, and Yashica Electro 35 GSN. The two noisiest: Hasselblad 500c and Kowa 6 (a Hassy copy).
I was photographing a bride in her wedding dress in a pastoral setting using the Kowa 6, and when I released the shutter birds flew in panic from nearby trees.
I still use regularly my old Bessa R. It makes about the same noise as my Pentax Spotmaic SP, though I wish I could do a scientific test as I suspect the Spotmatic is just a tad quieter.
Ted
I was photographing a bride in her wedding dress in a pastoral setting using the Kowa 6, and when I released the shutter birds flew in panic from nearby trees.
I still use regularly my old Bessa R. It makes about the same noise as my Pentax Spotmaic SP, though I wish I could do a scientific test as I suspect the Spotmatic is just a tad quieter.
Ted
me0
Newbie
I think the original question is still unanswered, so I rephrase it:
If I have decided to buy a Bessa R3, and I want to choose between the A and the M, what is the difference in shutter sound and reliability?
If I have decided to buy a Bessa R3, and I want to choose between the A and the M, what is the difference in shutter sound and reliability?
Kozhe
Well-known
All I can say is that my R3A is not "quiet" I see no reassons why an M should be more or less noisy than a A and I wouldn´t bother about it. The use (or not) of AE and the need of batteries are a lot more important imho.
On a side note, my quietest camera, by far, is my Kiev 4. I´d say less than half as noisy as the Bessa.
On a side note, my quietest camera, by far, is my Kiev 4. I´d say less than half as noisy as the Bessa.
Bingley
Veteran
Some have indicated that the shutters on the R2M and R3M are quieter than their R*A cousins; I infer that the Head Bartender is of that view from his post in this thread. If there's a difference, it probably isn't much of one.
In terms of reliability, I haven't read about any problems that would lead one to choose the R3M over the R3A or vice versa. There have been reported issues w/ rangefinders going out of alignment on R3*s. The rf patch on my R3A is slightly out of vertical alignment. I'm living w/ it for now.
I chose to get an R3A b/c 1) it had 40mm framelines and 2) having AE is convenient in certain circumstances. I'm pretty happy with the camera so far.