R3m Gas

[snowblink]

I bought an R3A & 40mm last year. I would have bought the R3M had it been available. Now it is hard to not drool at the R3M.

How are you coping? Did you crack already? Can you justify getting an R3M if you already have an R3A?

 

[rxmd]

I guess the definition of GAS is getting something *in spite of* not being able to justify it 😉

In your case, however, I don't understand the desire. What does the R3M give you that the R3a doesn't? How often did you have to change batteries over the last year?

Philipp

 

[KoNickon]

I don't think I can justify it myself -- but I'm trying to see how I can justify the new Heliar 50/2. (Has anyone here posted pictures with this lens, or otherwise reviewed it? I can't recall.)

I'll hang onto the R3A, I think, notwithstanding that it can be hard to see the shutter speeds in the viewfinder, and the shutter button is a little too easy to trip. The 40 Nokton works wonderfully with it.

 

[Chris Lynch]

i'm going at it the other way around- My R3M is on the way, and i'm thinking i might get a R2A in the future for easier/more casual use (i wear glasses-) with the AE.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

If you already have the R3A, I would only get the R3M if you anticipate the need to have a battery-free body. Do you ? 😉 Otherwise, you're really not getting much that is new in terms of features. If anything you're obviously losing AE.

Or do you want it simply as a second body (which is easier to justify GAS-wise 🙂

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

a two body kit, with the R3M complementing the R3A, is not a bad idea, particularly if you anticipate being in situations where batteries are hard to get

 

[Tom Diaz]

I bought an R3A & 40mm last year. I would have bought the R3M had it been available. Now it is hard to not drool at the R3M.

How are you coping? Did you crack already? Can you justify getting an R3M if you already have an R3A?

I got an R2M even though I already had an R2A. I wanted to try the Heliar and I figured an all-manual body would be a good backup. Just returning now from a long trip that was the R2M's maiden voyage. No pictures to post yet, but from a quick look at developed slides the Heliar seemed to do a fine job. It isn't really that much more compact than my 50mm Summicron, but that's why they call it gear-acquisition syndrome.

The R2M is a tiny bit quieter than the R2A, but it was really the lens I was after.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

The R2M is a tiny bit quieter than the R2A, but it was really the lens I was after.

Hi Tom,

Any other difference you've observed? I understand the rewind crank is a bit different, anything else? thanks

 

[PetarDima]

I allready have one R3M - in my dreams...

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

a two body kit, with the R3M complementing the R3A, is not a bad idea, particularly if you anticipate being in situations where batteries are hard to get

You can get those batteries anywhere, or you can take extras with you.

 

[sleepyhead]

I can't see the point of the R3M - why not just get a "user" M3 or M2? The Leicas are proven to be reliable and tough, and parts and service will probably be available for at least 50-100 years from now. The Bessa manual cameras - who knows about reliability, and what about parts in 10 years from now?

 

[Nachkebia]

It is a very sexy camera indeed 🙂

 

[rxmd]

I can't see the point of the R3M - why not just get a "user" M3 or M2?

Points of the R2M/R3M:

• Sell an extra camera body to everybody who wants a 50/2 Heliar.
• Extra limited-edition body for collectors. It's actually Leica who established this as a business model.
• All-mechanical body to point at whenever somebody says "but Cosina/Voigtländer don't do mechanical".

And the R3M does have the advantage of a light meter and a 1:1 finder over the M2/M3, so there is actually a usability gain, too.

Philipp

 

[Chris Lynch]

personally, i'm turned off by a "user" M2/M3 by the fact that (even though they're Leica's) they are rather archaic(sp?)... i imagine what i'm saying is total blasphemy- but i'm just not into the bottom-plate film loading. I like the rear door, the film window, the more conventional layout in general of the Bessas. Plus, i know i can afford a brand-new R3M, whereas a user M3 is exactly that.

I'm very excited about my new toy, and maybe one day i'll get a Leica. On the contrary- i'm more likely to just get better glass for my Bessa than i am to spend the money on a Leica body.

 

[Burkey]

Apecture Priorty Importance

Apecture Priorty Importance

Although I really like concept of the R3M, I would very much miss the apecture priority availability of the 3A. For what I shoot it's very valuable.

 

[Chris Lynch]

I do agree there- if it had basically been a RF version of the Nikon FM3A, i'd be even more in love. I mainly like the VF display, with the nice exposure scale (that's one of the things i disliked about the R#A's) will be nice.

 

[ghost]

it would be super cool if the r4's meter display could switch between the r3m's and r3a's style depending on what exposure mode you were on.

 

[rool]

a two body kit, with the R3M complementing the R3A, is not a bad idea, particularly if you anticipate being in situations where batteries are hard to get

Where do you guys travel?!

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Where do you guys travel?!

Arctic 😉

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Come on guys, the man has GAS bad ...

Have to give him some excuse to pull the trigger 😉 Never pour water on a GAS fire, only encouragement.