RF camera and lens for under $1000

Do you have gasses? I had an R3a briefly and with my glasses the 40mm lines were horrible. Even without glasses, I didnt like the 40mm frame lines. With glasses, I didnt even like the 50mm lines so much. But that is just my opinion. I really liked
the R2a or leica M2 with glasses.
 
By the way, My olympus RC has a very sharp lens ( I saw that you have an RC) if that is what you are looking for. I love the viewfinder as well.
 
I don't wear glasses, so that shouldn't be a problem. As I said (at least I think I did), it's the 1:1 viewfinder that draws me to the R3, that and the fact that I can get it with a very fast lens for under $1200.

I do acknowledge that the 35/50 lens combo is perhaps a better one, especially due to the amount of 35mm lenses available as opposed to the amount of 40mm ones.

Should I go for the A or the M-model? Running out of batteries doesn't worry me, but potential defects does. I'm guessing repairing an A-model would cost more than repairing an M-model.
 
boffen said:
I was looking forward to going to B&H, but they're apparently closed while I'm in town. Photo Village and Adorama seem to sell the R3 and the 40mm 1.4 for the same price, but Photo Village has a lot of used stuff as well. I guess I'll email both and check who can offer me the R3 (still have to decide between M and A) and 40mm combo at the lowest price, used or new.
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Adorama will be closed the same days as B&H.

PhotoVillage is a great place to go in person. Very friendly, tiny store that you can't believe is crammed full of so much drool-inducing gear. I'd suggest trying to save some money by purchasing a gently used or open-box R3 body, and see if anyone on RFF in the New York area will sell you a used lens.

::Ari
 
boffen said:
Hi!

I'm going to the US this easter, New York to be specific. I very recently (as in still waiting for my first rolls) got in to RFs, and am beginning to realize some of the limitations in my Olympus 35RC (although it is a very nice camera). At first I was toying with the idea of maybe buying a better camera system later this year, but when I realized how much cheaper stuff is in the US compared to Norway, I am thinking of spending whatever money I have on a decent system when I'm there. Even if I should decide in a couple of months that rangefinders aren't for me, I could sell it without really losing that much.

So, what can I get for about $1000? I see that the Voigtlander Bessa-cameras and a Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 will cost me about $1100, which is slightly above, but doable. Anyway, what would you get if you were in New York City, needed a full system, and had $1000 to spend? I am willing to buy used, as long as it's from a store or a very reputable person. I think I'd like something with an M-mount, seeing as it's pretty easy to find a M-lens even in Norway.
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Contax G system
 
Sales tax in NYC is 8.875%? Holy cow. Is that a combined NY state/NYC tax?

I'm sure those tax dollars are being put to good use.
 
boffen said:
Should I go for the A or the M-model? Running out of batteries doesn't worry me, but potential defects does. I'm guessing repairing an A-model would cost more than repairing an M-model.
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I would get the one that you get for the least amount of cash. I wouldn't assume that the R3m is cheaper to fix... who knows? It really depends on what goes wrong right?
 
They both sell for the same (new and used) at Photo Village, so unless they only have one of the models used, price doesn't matter.

I just assumed so because I figure that more electronics means more parts, which in turn means bigger cost.

This quote from cameraquest makes me believe that I would be better off with the A:
The R2A / R3A offer faster shooting with Aperture Priority -- a big plus for street photography or quick moving events. The disadvantage is like virtually all other electronic shutter cameras, dead batteries mean a dead camera.

However, the apparently excellent meter in the M, coupled with the ability to shoot without batteries is also attractive to me.

I guess this is the definition of a luxury problem! I hope they have one of the models in their used stock, so I won't have to make a choice, haha.
 
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