R3A - how long do the batteries last?

[milos]

Hi there,

I am currently thinking about getting the bessa R3A or R3M - but i am not sure yet which one it will be. The idea of beeing independet from batteries with the R3M is very tempting... but on the other hand the R3A has aperture priority, which also could come in handy.

So my question would be now, how long do the batteries for your R3A last? I know that depends on how often you use it... but just speaking in general - what are your experiences?

I belive i will go for the R3M, but if most of you say "oh the batteries? lasting for ages!" ... I might change my mind 🙂

so thanks in advance

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

A year or so. Just change them on your birthday or a special day.

 

[mercedes_sl1970]

A year or so. Just change them on your birthday or a special day.

Yep - got around 12 months out of mine, and this with it left on for extended periods (have now got into the habit of switching it off!). You do get a warning that the batteries are running down so it's not too much of an issue - just keep some handy. I seem to remember that the low battery warning lasted for a couple of days, so the camera was not instantly dead.

For me, I just like having the option of aperture priority and use it most of the time, hence my choice of the R3A. Good luck with your choice.

Andrew

 

[dryice66]

About a year is good. Shooting say 2 rolls a week on aperture priority.

 

[milos]

uh... wow, didnt expect that...

now i will have to re-think the whole issue again.
only thing i am afraid is being left with a dead camera if no batteries are around... mhm, dont know yet.

but thanks for the input sofar

 

[photophorous]

The batteries are tiny. It's real easy to stick an extra pair in your camera bag and just forget about them.

 

[galaxenspreside]

How good are you at guessing exposure or do you use an external meter? Otherwize you are not helped too much by have the M when you run out of batteries, I guess.

I have the R3A (the M was not around when I bought it). The batteries last very long. I never use the aperture priority however. It is so easy to change the aperture and time manually and I find it more convenient to adjust exposure in manual than using the exposure lock or the under/over exposure adjustment to the aperture priority mode.

It is not clear to me what I would have chosen even today after having my R3A a year and a half. Which version is cheapest or has the reputation of being least likely to break down?

Is the R3M available in the beautifull gray finish?

 

[galaxenspreside]

Looking briefly on the M versions on www.cameraquest.com I noted that the M does not appear to have the shutterlock of the R3A and I would not want to be without that.

To me this would be more important than the other features you have mentioned:
See the comparison chart:
http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtchart2.htm


BTW: I love the live size viewfinder which allows you to focus with both eyes open (unlies you're left eyed)

 

[milos]

thats a realy tough decision... maybe i will just flip a coin.

anyway, i still have a month of work at the local supermarket before i can afford it.
the pricing for the camera + 35mm color skopar ist around 1000eur here.

 

[Avotius]

I got my r2a camera from endustry here on the forum, I dont know if the batteries he put in the camera were fresh or not, nor do I know for sure how long much he used the thing. I also assume that the r2a uses more power then an r2m, plus I have shot many many many rolls of film through the camera without changing the batteries over the last 6 months and it seems to be more then fine. I would say every year change batteries to be on the safe side either way.