koala
Newbie
Hi all, I am new here. I joined this forum sometime ago because I am a camera nut. So I dropped in my local camera shop last week and check out the late model Bessa.
I was aiming for the mechanical shutter Bessa R2 but they were all sold. The only models available for demo are the R2A and R3A. I read alot about the 1:1 view and the 40mm framelines and wonder how they look like.
So I looked in to the R3A with both my eyes open behind my glasses. The 1:1 is very nice and bright. Framelines are very clear and visible. But let me tell you this, the 40mm framelines are like hiding behind the window. You have to really look 'around' and 'into' the viewfinder to search for them. I tried it with and without my glasses. The framelines are very close to the edges.
Despite all these, I would still sacrifice the 40mm frameline for the 1:1 magnification. Framing with both eyes open with the 0.7x R2A isn't as natural as the 1:1 R3A. The 40mm framelines is still useable, provided that you get used to it. Some people may feel that the 40mm framelines is close to useless.
One surprise when I first hold the Bessa is that it feels alot lighter than my M6. Although it is light, the controls and dials are not flimsy. It's actually quite well constructed and feels very solid. However, I didn't buy them. I decided that I'll wait for the R4x as I am a wide angle shooter.
I hope this helps people who can't decide over R2x or R3x and can't try them out physically before buying.
I was aiming for the mechanical shutter Bessa R2 but they were all sold. The only models available for demo are the R2A and R3A. I read alot about the 1:1 view and the 40mm framelines and wonder how they look like.
So I looked in to the R3A with both my eyes open behind my glasses. The 1:1 is very nice and bright. Framelines are very clear and visible. But let me tell you this, the 40mm framelines are like hiding behind the window. You have to really look 'around' and 'into' the viewfinder to search for them. I tried it with and without my glasses. The framelines are very close to the edges.
Despite all these, I would still sacrifice the 40mm frameline for the 1:1 magnification. Framing with both eyes open with the 0.7x R2A isn't as natural as the 1:1 R3A. The 40mm framelines is still useable, provided that you get used to it. Some people may feel that the 40mm framelines is close to useless.
One surprise when I first hold the Bessa is that it feels alot lighter than my M6. Although it is light, the controls and dials are not flimsy. It's actually quite well constructed and feels very solid. However, I didn't buy them. I decided that I'll wait for the R4x as I am a wide angle shooter.
I hope this helps people who can't decide over R2x or R3x and can't try them out physically before buying.
