R2A with 75 & 90 lenses

[Matus]

Hello all,

I am now really about to get and R3A (yes - R3A). The reason for me to choose this camera over the R2A is that I also want to get the Heliar 75/2.5 (or even some 90/2.8 - most probably the Leica Tele Elmarit) - and I am worried that R2A would not allow me to focus properly - and also that the frames for 75/90 lenses would be too small.

My main lens would be a 35/40 (depending on the camera), although I have just today received mint Jupiter-3 (I like what it can do and this kind of lenses together with heliar 15/4.5 turned me from MF RF to 35 RF cameras). I would get the 35/40 lens once I will decide that this is what I want.

The R3A has the 1:1 finder, the R2A has 35mm frame lines that are reportedly easier to see than the 40mm in R3A. I do not wear glasses though. Also - there is larger variety of 35mm lenses then 40mm, though this is not s true issue (just a GAS).

So my question to the R3A and R2A users: how do you find the focusing/framing with longer lenses?

Note:
- I had never had R2A in hand - and R3A only once for about 2 minutes - and was blown away by the clarity and size of the viewfinder - and the 75mm framelines had a reasonable size.
- If I had the money For the new Zeiss Ikon - I would not post this thread

 

[kshapero]

Never had a R2A ,but the R3A/M is a beauty. I wear glasses and the 40mm lens was great to work with. With RF's framelines are just close estimates anyway. Also 75 and 90 size lenses focus just fine.

 

[rbiemer]

I have (and like) an R2a. I use my 9cm Elmar with it and haven't had any focus problems. That lens is f/4, though. Occasionally, I get mis-focused photos when I'm using my Jupiter 9 lens(85mm, f/2). I think that is more user error than any camera shortcoming.
I did spend some time working out whether to use the 75 or the 90 frame lines with that lens and decided that using the 90 frame lines made better sense for me.
The 75 and 90 frame lines are fine for me--I wear glasses--the 90 frame lines seem tolerably accurate, I don't have a 75 so I don't use those frame lines.
I chose the R2a over the R3a mainly because I prefer a 35mm lens rather than a 40mm; since I didn't need the 40 frame lines, the R2a was a better choice for me.
And, in my case, I had been using the Bessa R for a while so the similar VF of the R2a was appealing.
Rob

 

[payasam]

The 90mm frame lines are only corners, so it might make sense (for some people at least) to use the 75mm lines for 90/85 lenses, framing loosely. As Akiva S. says, RF finders are not so accurate anyway.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

The lenses you mention won't be hard to fucus as they're not too fast for rangefinder tele use. I guess you'll be able to focus them properly even for close subjects. R3s' 1:1 viewfinder looks to me nicer than R2s' .7m rangefinder focusing, because if the lens allows you and you need it, you can always focus by scale.

Cheers,

Juan

 

[tritiated]

For 75mm R3 is great - the framelines are in isolation, and a nice size relative to the entire window. Similarly great for 50mm - again the framelines are on their own and Its easy to focus my Canon 1.4 wide open. I don't have a 40mm yet, but I would like to have one. I have some photo's tagged with the 75mm 2.5, I think it's a super nice lens for the money. http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoriginalinvisible/

I find my framing to be exactly as planned for the 75mm - I haven't cropped any of my shots.

 

[Matus]

Thank you all. I think that I will go with the R3A and see how it works for me. If not enything else, that the R3A is easier to find in the grey color. 😉

 

[amoz]

Ever since I got it as my second M lens, I have got my 75/2 glued to a R2A. Although exact focusing is never an issue, I would prefer the R3A viewfinder & framing, I think.

 

[Matus]

Actually - to be fully honest - one of the reasons for pondering the R2A is the future possibility to get Biogon 35/2 or 35/2.8.

Right now there is one new Zeiss Ikon BIN for 850 euro what is a great deal, but .. oh well ... 🙁 ... no, not so bad 😉

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I'm not sure how much this helps but I've had an R3A for a few years with the 15, 25, 40, 75 lenses. (use a supplementary viewfinder for the 15 and 25). No problems framing or focusing. Yes. the 40 framelines are tight but quite OK in use.
I now also have an R4A because I do a bit of WA shooting and have added a 35mm lens to the kit. Still need the 15mm supplementary for it, of course. If I use the 40 I simply use the 35mm frames on the R4A as a guide and I have a 75mm supplementary viewfinder now as well. The 75 focuses OK through the main viewfinder but the lower magnification makes it much better to slap the 75 'finder in the shoe.

 

[capitalK]

I have an R2A right now and I have a 75mm Heliar in my bag... which is pretty much where it stays. Nice to know it's there when I need it. I've shot some hockey with it and it worked well, nice to see the play develop... just have to remember to wait for the action to come inside the 75mm framelines. I forgot a few frames thinking I was shooting an SLR 😛