Should I be complaining, HELP!!!!

D

Dwayneb9584

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Hey all,

I'm a bit confused. I've been posting all over this forum about lenses and cameras, now here is my issue. I recently purchased a R4M and I'm looking to get a Nokton 35mm f1.4 SC, I sorta bought the R4M with impulse and although I love it. I am a bit unhappy about the 35mm frame lines, They're a bit small. Even though I don't have my lens yet but I feel I might need more space in the finder. I shoot a lot of candid street photo's, portraiture and fine art. I considered getting the R3M and use the Nokton 35mm with it. Or just keep my R4M, stop complaining about the small viewfinder and take pictures. I'm sure I will be able to manage it with the 35mm and R4M. but not sure if I want to. As you can see I'm all over the place lol. HELP!

Thanks,
Dwayne
 
Buy the 35, use it on the R4m. If you are unhappy, get a used R2 or R3. If you are only going to use the 35, and nothing wider- sell the R4m if you do not like it with the 35.
 
Dwayne,

Welcome to the world of RF confusion. So many choices that it can take a while to find what works best for you.

What glass do you have now and what do you shoot with it?

You are thinking about a 35/1.4, why the change?

B2 (;->
 
The 35mm lines look usable to me... the 50mm lines, not really into those...

r4a-body.jpg
 
Give it a bit more time. When I started shooting 50mm with 0.72 VF, I wished the FL was larger and missed .85 VF (I don't wear glasses). But soon I realized that I do want to see things outside of the frame so I can capture the best moment. And also smaller FL (lower magnification) allows me to frame and shoot without squeezing my face against the camera, resulting in super minimum time of camera-at-eye-level for more efficient snap-n-scram shooting style. I now strongly prefer 0.72 VF for 50mm. If I shoot 35mm a lot more, I'd consider .58 VF. (talking about Leica M configurations, but you get the idea.)

After a month or two of regular use, smaller 35mm might grow in your heart. R2/3 are easier to come by in used market. Give R4M a bit more time to prove itself.
 
Well I always liked to shoot wide. Since I started out photography I would shoot my friends BMX or Skateboarding with my DSLR on a wide angle lens and sometimes borrow fish eyes from fellow friends who rode with us. At the moment I have a Canon 7D with a Sigma 30mm f1.4 and I'm in love with that. Even though the 7D body has a 1.6 crop factory it brings the 30mm to a 46mm. But it works for me.

Currently I don't have any glass for my new R4M. I just bought the body, buy I am in love with the Nokton 35mm f1.4 SC becuse of it's classic soft deep hue. I really am sold on this lens. I do see myself purchasing a 28mm or even a 21mm but not at the very moment. I was looking for something I can use a a standard lens. I feel I might regret returning the R4M for a R2/3M. I'm just not sure. However I do think I should be able to manage with the R4's 35mm framelines. I just heard things about not being able to focus correctly wide open etc.
 
You can always buy a viewfinder magnifier? I bought a 1.25x for my M8, and have no trouble with a 10.5cm F2.5 wide-open.
 
No, I don't want one of those. I'm considering to exchange this body for a Zeiss Ikon rangefinder. It has the three main frame lines I use 28, 35, 50mm and magnification I want.
 
Dwayneb9584 said:
No, I don't want one of those. I'm considering to exchange this body for a Zeiss Ikon rangefinder. It has the three main frame lines I use 28, 35, 50mm and magnification I want.
Click to expand...

Correct me if I am wrong, I know this is my first post here being a very recent convert to the Voigtlander system, but it seems you would be better off with an R2 as it has 50, 35 framelines and the full viewfinder frame seems to me to give an approximate 28mm view.

I am very glad I bought into the Voigtlander system having bought a Bessa L, Bessa R, 50/F1.5, 25/F4 and a 35/F2.5 on the way to me at the moment, all in really excellent condition. I'm going to enjoy using these and its all been very cost effective.
 
Dwayneb9584 said:
No, I don't want one of those. I'm considering to exchange this body for a Zeiss Ikon rangefinder. It has the three main frame lines I use 28, 35, 50mm and magnification I want.
Click to expand...

Go for it. Then the R4 finder is "too-wide", the ZI sounds just right for you.

I had an R2, liked it a lot, but I think the finder would not adequately cover the 28. I mostly shoot 50mm lenses, kept the Canon P.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
Go for it. Then the R4 finder is "too-wide", the ZI sounds just right for you.
I had an R2, liked it a lot, but I think the finder would not adequately cover the 28. I mostly shoot 50mm lenses, kept the Canon P.
Click to expand...

I agree with Brian. I have the R3A, R4A and M6 so can do a real-time comparison.
If you only wanted to use 35 frames then the R2 would suffice but if you want wider then in the Voigtlander range it's the R4, and the frames for 50 (and to a lesser extent the 35) are small. I use 35, 28 or 25 and 21 a fair bit so it suits me to keep the R4 for that role.

If you don't want to go wider than 28 or longer than 85 without resorting to accessory viewfinders then Zeiss Ikon would be a good choice. My M6 is a very useful mid-range camera that covers 28 to 135 (and I don't shoot longer than 90 anyway).
 
Are Zeiss Ikon's any good. I saw a used one for a good deal. I'd consider an r2 if I can also use the whole viewfinder as a 28mm that would be cool. would there be any focus issues if I were to do that?
 
Dwayneb9584 said:
Are Zeiss Ikon's any good. I saw a used one for a good deal. I'd consider an r2 if I can also use the whole viewfinder as a 28mm that would be cool. would there be any focus issues if I were to do that?
Click to expand...


I'd go for the Ikon ... I have an R4A and an Ikon and they're chalk and cheese IMO. The Bessa feels agricultural compared to the Zeiss and once you've seen through an Ikon viewfinder you'll have trouble resisting.

A lot more money though!
 
Dwayneb9584 said:
^ Very funny lol. Yea I think I'm going to go with the Ikon
Click to expand...


Great choice!

Sometimes I think I wouldn't mind a second Ikon body ... I really only use my R4A for my 25mm Biogon and the whole viewfinder on the Ikon comes close for this focal length.

Recently I was photograping in a situation where I was switching back and forth between my Ikon and my M3. (the M3 had a 90mm on it) I used to think the M3 had a good viewfinder!
 
Thanks a lot for the help Keith. Would you or anyone else have any pictures of the framelines. I tried searching for a diagram but couldn't fine one. I'm anxious to see how the 35mm frame like looks, along with the 28.
 
So I returned the R4M and bought the Zeiss Ikon Rangefinder used. It's was in great condition at Photovilliage in NYC. I'm really excited about it and feels so good in my hand. The viewfinder is Sooo bright. I can't wait to get a lens for the thing and start shooting. My only issue with it is that you can't really see the meter in bright bright light. It sorta dims out. This is easily fixed by just moving your eye back and fourth in the finder though. Other than that, I just have to save a bit for a lens and I'm am good to go. Still looking for a Nokton 35mm SC.
 
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