R2 vs R3

[Shab]

Hello again,

I'm thinking a lot about wich rff buy for my firts experience. As I said in another post I like to shot with 28mm lenses and also with 35, 50 and 85mm.

I was thinking on R4 vs R3 but I have seen that R2 has 35, 50, 75, 90 framelines. It can be my rff! My question: is the R2 like R3 construction? I know viewfinder is smaller than in the R3 but is it too small?

And the shutter? Is it the same?

Thanks!

 

[philipp.leser]

The Bessas R2/3/4 are identical except for the viewfinders.

 

[payasam]

The R3 makes the most sense if you want to use a 40mm.

 

[Keith]

The R3 is the only currently made rangefinder with one to one viewfinder magnification which is perfect for two eyed shooting and the reason a lot of people choose it!

 

[Spyderman]

Actually R2 is an older camera than RXy (where X is one of {2,3,4} and y is one of {a,m}).

The X denotes the VF magnification and framelines:
2 -> 0.7 (similar to Leica M, Konica Hexar etc.)
3 -> 1.0 (for 40 and longer lenses)
4 -> 0.5 (for lenses 21 - 50)

y denotes shutter:
a = electronic,
m = mechanical

Why don't you just go to cameraquest.com and see the description of the cameras ?

 

[Fred]

I've read somewhere that the 28mm view is approx the full VF coverage on the R, well it seems pretty close using that as a guide on my R. I'm not positive but I think the VF view is the same size as the R2* I'm sure someone will correct me if thats not the case.

 

[Bessa-ist-das]

Hi Shab,

if I were you (and I have been in your shoes in December) I'd go for a setup that best supports my preferred focal length and feels right at the same time.

So if you shoot most of your pictures with wide lenses, I'd choose the R4x, because it supports these lenses best.

If you prefer the longer focal lengths like 50, 75 and 90 go for the R3x, not the least for the 1:1 viewfinder, which I personally find excellent.

If you prefer flexibility over excellence in any particular area, I'd go for the R2x
.

At the end of the day there will always be some kind of trade off in one way or the other. I don't think that Cosina in due time will come up with a Bessa that sports 24 and 90mm framelines, has a 1:1 vf and and and...

So, don't waste too much time thinking about it, go to a shop, take your time there, try them all out and choose the one that feels best.

Just my 0,02$...

Cheers
Wolfgang

P.S.: my x is Spyderman's y 😉

 

[Shab]

Thank you everybody!

My problem is I can not go to a shop to prove them! Here, between south-west of france and north of Spain there isn't a shop that has this type of cameras. This is the reason for my questions.

In two or three weeks I will go in a ship to take photos while the fishermans are working at night. It will be a new experience for me. It's a new part of my proyect "Hendaye - Porfolio" and a new Style of photography for me.

At night I will not have too much light and I'm thinking on taking photographs with 3200 ISO B/W film with an RF camera. I have never used this type of cameras but I think they are my best option to take photos of people while they are working, or while they are talking in the ship at night.

I think I would need wide angle lenses but also standard lenses for portraits.

I'm thinking I would use my 11-22mm of my E-3 so it would be from 21mm to 50mm and there is my problem. If I would have money I would buy two RFF (R4x and R3x) but I don't have the money, so I'm thinking on buying an R2x and 35mm and 50mm lenses but I know I would need a wider lens (like 21mm). This is my problem! :-(

Sincerely, thank you very much for your time!

 

[aizan]

i take it you don't wear glasses?

since the r2 doesn't have 28mm framelines, but the r4 does, and the r3 doesn't have 35mm framelines, i would bypass the need for multiple bodies and buy one zeiss ikon.

 

[Spyderman]

IMHO it's not wise to buy a new camera and use it for a special project. You should use a camera you are familiar with, especially since you've never used a RF. One that you can use in dark without looking for controls. If you know your E-3 by heart, then by all means use that and don't buy new camera.

 

[payasam]

I shall say emphatically that Ondrej is right.

If you want mainly wides but also a 50, the R4 will suit you. Remember, though, that close distance pictures with the 50 wide open will be tricky with the low magnification finder.

 

[Shab]

Sypderman thanks for your opinion. I think it's a good opinion. So, why am I thinking on buying a new camera? Because:

1.- I don't want to go with my E-3 and it "big" lenses to the ship.
2.- I don't like E-3 noise at ISO1600 or higher so I'm thinking on Film ISO3200 (BW).
3.- I need fast lenses and in my Zuiko Lenses there aren't very fast lenses.
4.- It isn't an unique travel on the ship, so I will be able to try again.

They are my reasons to be thinking on RF cameras: they are small, they have fast lenses, I can use high ISO BW films... and later, I will be able to do street photography with my new camera.

Sorry if I'm boring you. :-(

 

[__hh]

What about an R4 to start... and using an eyepiece magnifier (like those 1.25X) for when you want to use the 50mm ? I know that they have them for the 'normal' leica Ms, but not sure that they exist for Bessas (I assume so).

It comes down to having a body that is optimized for your most preferred shooting FLs... anything else is either a compromise or a band-aid solution (i.e. magnifiers and/or external viewfinders)

I have an R4A and love using it with the 21mm/25mm lenses... I have effortlessly gone up to 35mm but have not tried 50mm.

 

[tritiated]

At close quarters on a fishing boat I expect you will need wide angles mostly to fit stuff in. In addition you want relatively fast glass too. The R4(A or M) will give you the wide angle frameline choice (21,25,28,35 and 50mm), and the 28mm Ultrons (f2 or f1.9), and 35mm noktons (f1.4 and f1.2) are fast.

Will you be particularly bothered by the distortion from wide angles if you get close ups of fishermen? Perhaps a flattering portrait perspective isn't imperative on this project. Are you going to be shooting many portraits?

r4 and a 28 and get on with it

 

[Shab]

Finallky I have bought an Zeiss Ikon with 28mm and 50mm lenses. My first roll has been an special experience! Really is so different photographying with an RF!! I LOVE it!

I wanted to have 28mm and 50mm lenses in the same body abd the Zeiss Ikon is my chance.

Today I have developed my first BW roll (Kodak 400 T-Max)... it has been a magical "moment". I hope in some days I will be able to bring here some photos of this roll.

Thank you everybody who participate in this post!

 

[tritiated]

Excellent choice, I will keep an eye out for your shots!