R4M as Backup

[eliev]

What are you thoughts on having a R4M as an all-manual backup to an M7 0.58?

I am aware that the whole idea of "backup" might just be an excuse to get another camera 🙂

 

[maitani]

do you shoot 'wide' exclusively? why not add an R3M instead, for the 50 and longer lenses, so you get a backup with added features. an R4M is close to and M7 0.58 feature wise. just a thought

 

[mfogiel]

R4 is really a 25/28mm camera - the other frames are either too small or too big. A better choice, would be an M6 0.58.

 

[eliev]

Those are good ideas. I don't shoot over 50, but a "backup with added features" definitely makes sense. An M6 would be nice but would probably be much more expensive.

 

[maitani]

R2M would be a great backup too, good for 35mm too, cheap and reliable.

 

[segedi]

It's good for 21-35mm in my experience. 35mm has a fair amount of room around it. 50mm looks like 135mm on a .72x finder... it's tiny.

But I like the Bessas, for a backup, I wouldn't hesitate. As a 21 and 25mm "external viewfinder" it works great!

 

[biomed]

I have thoroughly enjoyed the R4M. While not Leica class, it is certainly a camera that holds it own.

 

[Tom A]

I use the R4M as my second body - to just about anything else. Usually with a 21/25 on it. Always along - and I mean always! It is light enough to sit in the shoulder bag without having you list heavily. In "emergency" you can use it with a 50mm - finder frames are small, but works. Good meter too. Mine is one of the first Cosina made and it has been used heavily over the years and never missed a beat. If you primarily use wides and "semi-wides" it is an essential piece of kit in my opinion.
Today is a typical example, I took a Nikon SP out with a 35f2.5 - but used the R4M with a Biogon 21mm f2.8 instead. One frame with the SP, 3/4 roll with the R4M!

 

[peter_n]

I used to use an R4A with Kobalux 21 and Leica 24mm lenses together with a 0.72x M7. Then I sold both my M7s and the R4A. The R4 was a great combo with the regular mag. Leica and I've thought many times about buying an R4M to complement my MPs in the same way. Having four 35mm bodies is a bit to much for me, but I do regret selling my R4. That camera and a Rolleiflex are the only two cameras I regret selling. I think you'd really like the R4M.