R3A, Will the side grip help?

[Chuck A]

I received my Bessa R3A today. (Just 5 days, including the weekend from Canada.) I have not run any film through it yet (it poured all day). But after playing with it I have to say that I like it. The 1:1 finder is really bright and clear. (Much better than I am used to with the fixed lens rf cameras.) I am not used to keeping both eyes open when shooting but I played with it today and it is easy and fun. The 40mm frame lines are pretty close to the edges and I can just see them but I will have to see how they work in use.

The shutter sound is about what I expected after reading about it. The sound has a high pitched ring to it that would probably draw some attention. It is certainly not bad though. The shutter on the Oly RC and RD have me spoiled. They are just small clicks that never draw attention.

The meter seems easy to use though your eye needs to be centered pretty well to have nice bright numbers. We will see how accurate it is. I haven't checked it yet. Does anyone have a mapping of the metering sensitivity?

The camera came with the nice black Voit strap and although it is shorter than I like it is pretty nice. I absolutely hate the way this camera hangs from the neck strap though. I have a 40mm M-Rokkor on it and it hangs at a 45 degree backward angle. I guess this is because the lens is light. I know that a wrist strap solves this but I would rather carry the camera with a neck strap.

This is a pain and is uncomfortable to carry this way. I was thinking about getting the side grip anyway but will it help with this hanging angle? If so, how much help will it be?

Anyway, given my limited time with the R3A, I can't give a definitive review but if the Rokkor lens performs as it should and I can get it to hang better, I will be a happy guy.

I have an Industar 61LD coming and I want to get a 75 and or a 90 as well. Maybe they will hang better. What is your experience with this?

 

[plummerl]

I have the Bessa R, which had the same problem with the hanging angle. The side grip improved it nearly to perfection, plus I found the grip to be very nice for holding at the side.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

The side grip has two lugs of its own (at least the trigger one does), this means you can hang the camera vertically. I find this very convenvenient when carried over my shoulder, although if you're a neck strap person rather than a shoulder strap person it may have more limited appeal.

 

[JohnM]

The side grip has one lug - at the top. It changes the angle that the camera hangs with when used with a neck strap. Not perfect, but better.

According to Gandy's site, it is strong enough to be used on its own as a single anchor for hanging the camera vertically.

 

[Chuck A]

I guess the final question is whether the side grip will help enough to make it worth the $40.00 + shipping?

 

[TimBonzi]

I also have the R3A with the sidegrip. I use a wristrap so I don't have the drooping issue from a neckstrap, but I really like the grip and how I can hold the camera better with it. It was worth the money for me.

 

[shaaktiman]

I found I had the same complaint with my Bessa R2 with the CV 35c mounted. If you get a heavier lens like a Summicron 50 it evens out. But it should really handle evenly with cv's own lenses.

Anyway, I bought the side grip hoping it would be a good fix and you know what? It works well. The one lug that's placed differently on the side grip straightened my camera out nicely. Worth $40 if you ask me.

But I didn't notice any difference in basic camera handling or anything while shooting with it. For me its big advantage was the balance thing. I can't fit the bessa into my winter coat pocket with it on though so it only makes an appearance in March. Otherwise I keep the camera naked which is a really nice change of pace. If you have a stiurdy leather coat I recommend it.

 

[tedwhite]

Get the side grip. Camera hangs like it should. Camera is easier to grip. Plus, and this is critical: Girls like it.

Ted

 

[Chuck A]

Thanks folks, You have sold me, I will get the grip. See Stephen Gandy for your commission. LOL

 

[tedwhite]

Curses, we thought we were under the radar.