R3A clubs CL

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Frank Granovski

Guest
Part 1

Getting right down to the meat, both cameras are solid, small and black though the Bessa R3A also comes in gray. The Leica CL is smaller but fatter. Too bad the CL doesn't hang right and it's a hindrance having to fight with the strap while taking pictures and changing film spools. Shame on German engineering! The only way to fix this is to hacksaw off the lower strap hinge and weld it on the other side (or buy a case from Luigi.) On the topic of hanging, the CL coupled with the 90mm F4 is unbalanced. The stupid thing hangs downward. Was this purposely designed like this so that the cloth shutter isn't exposed to the sun? Well, what about with the 40mm cron, then? It's okay for the cron to burn a hole in the shutter? Oh, I forgot. A lens cap must be used at all times. The R3A on the other hand is balanced and both lenses hang correctly. What about that! In defence of the CL, I like viewing with its frame-lines. Focusing is also good, like with the R3A.

Now that I have covered the CL's strengths, let me continue with why the R3A clubs the CL. Everything is easy to adjust and to set with the Bessa. The CL's film speed dial is a bitch, the shutter dial is hokey and the exposure needle is pokey and bounces like a strumpet in dire need of a latrine. Even the R3A's finish is vastly superior. In conclusion Cosina's Voigtlander Bessa R3A is a much better camera than Leica's CL. Yes, by leaps and bounds, folks. Thank you. 😎

Part 2 coming up later today.
 
Last edited:
We know you had some trouble with your CLs, Frank, but to bitch slap it like this... WOW! 🙂
 
don't take it personally frank, the camera doesn't know it hurt your feelings.

do you want my address now or later?
ya know, to send the cl to.
with me it will have the nurturing home it has always wanted...🙂
joe
 
With all it's idiosycracies, I like my CL. With the 40 lens it's a great light
walk around camera. I liked using it together with my MP/90 cron combo so
I don't have to switch lenses. I tried using the 90 cron on it but sadly it's
true that you must stop down to f4 to get things in focus. But I gotta admit,
the big 90 on the CL looks pretty cool! Kind of ungainly but lovable.

CL with 90 cron
Another pic

In the near future I sure would like to find strap to hang the CL vertically
to see what all the fuss is about. I think I might like it. What kind of strap
are you using?

But your 3A sounds nice and I'm sure you'll have a great time taking pics with it!
Hope your CL finds a good home.

Way
 
Frank Granovski said:
Part 1

Getting right down to the meat, both cameras are solid, small and black though the Bessa R3A also comes in gray. The Leica CL is smaller but fatter. Too bad the CL doesn't hang right and it's a hindrance having to fight with the strap while taking pictures and changing film spools. Shame on German engineering! The only way to fix this is to hacksaw off the lower strap hinge and weld it on the other side (or buy a case from Luigi.) On the topic of hanging, the CL coupled with the 90mm F4 is unbalanced. The stupid thing hangs downward. Was this purposely designed like this so that the cloth shutter isn't exposed to the sun? Well, what about with the 40mm cron, then? It's okay for the cron to burn a hole in the shutter? Oh, I forgot. A lens cap must be used at all times. The R3A on the other hand is balanced and both lenses hang correctly. What about that! In defence of the CL, I like viewing with its frame-lines. Focusing is also good, like with the R3A.

Now that I have covered the CL's strengths, let me continue with why the R3A clubs the CL. Everything is easy to adjust and to set with the Bessa. The CL's film speed dial is a bitch, the shutter dial is hokey and the exposure needle is pokey and bounces like a strumpet in dire need of a latrine. Even the R3A's finish is vastly superior. In conclusion Cosina's Voigtlander Bessa R3A is a much better camera than Leica's CL. Yes, by leaps and bounds, folks. Thank you. 😎

Part 2 coming up later today.
Click to expand...

I have the CL and the R3a too. I share Frank's conclusion - I'm gonna have to show the CL the door. Despite some very strong points, and a personal sentimental attachment to the CL, the R3a just plain-and-simply beats it in terms of functionality and usability.

I don't agree with the shutter dial comment - I love that on the CL. Far easier to use than one that works on the 'correct' axis. I also don't agree that the R3a has a better finish. I would say they are on a par.

In the CL's favour, it is noticably more pocketable, and the shutter release has a good mechanical feel to it (I don't like the 'double click' of the R3a - once on the downstroke, once on the way up).

In the Bessa's favour: Great 1x finder with good clear shutter speeds, AE when you need it (with lock), 75mm framelines.

R3a wins.
 
Isn't this like comparing apples & oranges? The differences in magnification alone means that these 2 cameras will fit 2 different sets of needs. I don't see how one is better or worse than the other . . . just different. . . .Not to mention the difference between mechanical vs electronic & manual vs AE. Oops, I said I wouldn't mention it. 😛
 
Most of us are coming around to this idea, that there is no "best" only "different" when it comes to cameras and lenses.

The most you could say is that one thing is better than another for your needs.
 
Last edited:
Robin Harrison said:
I have the CL and the R3a too. I share Frank's conclusion - I'm gonna have to show the CL the door. Despite some very strong points, and a personal sentimental attachment to the CL, the R3a just plain-and-simply beats it in terms of functionality and usability.

I don't agree with the shutter dial comment - I love that on the CL. Far easier to use than one that works on the 'correct' axis. I also don't agree that the R3a has a better finish. I would say they are on a par.

In the CL's favour, it is noticably more pocketable, and the shutter release has a good mechanical feel to it (I don't like the 'double click' of the R3a - once on the downstroke, once on the way up).

In the Bessa's favour: Great 1x finder with good clear shutter speeds, AE when you need it (with lock), 75mm framelines.

R3a wins.
Click to expand...

How about keeping the CL as a backup camera? That's why I hang on to it; as a backup to my R-D1.
 
I'm actually considering buying a CL and I own an R3a. I want to use the R3a as my primary body and buy some compact lenses to use with the CL as an "I don't really feel like carrying my camera. But it's small enough not to be annoying." setup.
 
Last edited:
RML said:
How about keeping the CL as a backup camera? That's why I hang on to it; as a backup to my R-D1.
Click to expand...

I have four M-mount bodies at the moment - too many to shoot regularly! I have had a hard think about what to keep. I have decided on two - the M6 and the R3a. Quite different cameras, but they do their own thing well, and I think complement each other nicely. The CL offers little (apart from portability) that the others can't match.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
50mm lens for the Leica CL (film)
Replies
13
Views
402
splitimageview
splitimageview
jaredangle
W/NW: Mechanical Scenes
Replies
11
Views
602
Solanum
S
V
First Rangefinder Suggestions
2 3 4
Replies
78
Views
6K
Godfrey
Godfrey
M
Dim Rangefinder patch on CL
Replies
2
Views
575
rfaspen
rfaspen
B
Sigma lenses on a Leica CL
2
Replies
20
Views
4K
rhl-oregon
rhl-oregon
Back
Top Bottom