Starter Rangefinder and round the world trip

[lifevicarious]

Hey everyone!

I've stopped by this site here and there over the past couple of years but haven't spent a ton of time here as I don't have a rangefinder. I currently shoot with a 5D and a couple of L's.

At the end of September, I am taking off and traveling around the world for a little over a year. I am bringing my 5D and a laptop as the focus of the trip is going to be photography.

My favorite genre is by far street photography. I absolutely love the genre and really want to make that my focus. While the 5D is a great camera, it is obviously a SLR and will stick out, espeically in the middle of Ecuador or any other country for that matter.

I really would like to get a Rangefinder and I was hoping you guys could help me out. I have very little experience with film but for some reason, it is really appealing to me. The look and feel are so different then digital. While I realize a RTW trip probably isn't the best time to pick up both RF photography and film, I feel like it also couldn't be a better time.

So to make a really long story just a little bit longer, I'm hoping I could get some advice from you on what to get as a starter rangefinder. I'd love a Leica but considering I am weeks away from taking a 100% paycut and being homeless, now is probably not the time.

I am looking at the R3A but am curious what peoples thoughts are. Any reccomendations on a good starter RF and lens that I could bring on this trip?

Thanks in advance!

- Christian

 

[erikhaugsby]

Sell your Canon and buy the Leica you know you want! 😀


Seriously, though, from all that I've heard the R3a (and R3m, for that matter) are wonderful cameras. I would suggest the R3m due to its mechanical nature and your traveling through places with few repair shops that could handle an electronic shutter.

 

[kmack]

Either the R3M or A would be a good choice for you to transition with.

There is a Contax G1 and lens in the classifieds, I am not sure it has not been sold yet. The G lenses are some of the sharpest you can find and the auto-focus would be a nice bonus.

If you want to really want to step out on a limb you may want to consider an even older and smaller package like a Zorki I or 3, a J8 or I22 and J12. Any of these will give you a small fairly light package that could be found rather cheaply and would not be a great loss if stolen or dropped off the edge of a cliff somewhere in the Andes. Buy from a dealer like Fedka or Oleg and get a body and lens that will have already been CLA'ed. You could get a whole kit for less than the price of a R3.

 

[lifevicarious]

Is the R3 OK with the 40?

Is the R3 OK with the 40?

Thanks everyone for the advice!

One more question, is the 40 1.4 OK on the R3A/M? I know it has a 40 framelie but I thought I read in a thread here that the R3 is more for longer lenses. I don't want to not be able to see the whole frame line (I don't wear glasses).

Thanks!

 

[FrankS]

For less money, you can still get a Bessa R/35mm kit that's hard to beat value-wise. I would NOT trust a round the world trip to an FSU camera body (lenses are a different story) even if it is CLAed and even though I love them.

 

[FrankS]

Thinking about this more, if it were me doing this trip and I didn't have the gear I do have, with not enough funds for a Leica, I'd get the Bessa R/35 kit, a second used Bessa R, a 50mm J8, and possibly a CV25mm lens. (the latter if funds allow)

To go cheaper: 2 used Bessa R @ $175, J8 @$30, J12 @$50, $430 total

2 bodies are good to have in case one breaks, for b+w and colour film, or for b+w purists: 100asa and 400asa b+w films.

 

[lifevicarious]

Thanks Frank! I think the R is a great idea! And at a perfect price!

One question, what does FSU mean? Sorry, I'm a bit new to the RF side of photography.

Thanks!

 

[FrankS]

FSU means former Soviet Republic. Russian cameras are the FED, and Zorki, and the Ukranian camera is the Kiev. Feds and Zorki lenses generally use Leica thread mount (LTM) and will fit the screwmount Bessa R, Leicas and Canons. The Kiev shares a lens mount with Contax cameras.

 

[lifevicarious]

Thanks for the explanation Frank! Sorry for the newbie questions like that but I have one more!

I think the Bessa R sounds great, my only concern is that at some point, knowing me, I will get a Leica M. So if I'm going to invest in a rangefinder now, and even a low end lens, it might as well be M compatible. Which brings me to the Bessa T.

I know the main difference between this and the R is the fact that you need a separate viewfinder (and of course htis M mount as opposed to Screw mount). Is there anything else about this?

I'm contemplating the T and the 40 1.4 (as this would mostly be used as a night camera so the extra stop over the 35 2.5 on the R would come in handy.

Any thoughts on this combo?

 

[Burkey]

Keep in mind that you can get both screw mount and M-mount lens-types and use this adapter.
http://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm
I use one on my CV 75 to make it compatible with my R3A. The adapter stays on the 75 when I switch over to the 4O Nokton I also carry in my bag. BTW, the CV 40 and the CV 75 make a great combination. Good luck.

 

[pcfranchina]

Actually I usually carry my Bessa r3a with the 40 and 75. Makes for a great light kit to carry around. The CV 75 is a great lens for the price and size.

 

[FrankS]

LTM lenses that fit the Bessa R will fit the Leica M body in your future with the use of an andaptor (about $50). If you have a Bessa R and get M-mount lenses for your M body Leica, those M-mount lenses will not fit the Bessa R.

You'll have to weigh this fact against the price difference between the Bessa R and the R(2 or 3)(A or M)

 

[Palaeoboy]

If you considering a Bessa T dont forget to factor in the price of the extra Viewfinder. I think the 40mm finders go for around $120USD. So even though I know bessa T's sell for $185 (a bargain at that price) that brings you up to 300 dollars which is within striking distance of an R3a secondhand.

I dont think taking a new camera type with you is wrong. Firstly you are taking another camera that your familia with so you wont loose anything there really. If you can just shoot a couple of rolls before you leave however, just to be sure the rangefinder is fine and everything is working you should get some great shots with it while experimenting. Just think while your in the middle of nowhere and your laptop battery is flat, you will have a nice film backup as well. The 40mm f1.4 is a great first choice lens.

PS Make sure you log on to the forum every now and then and post a pic and we can plot your movements round the globe. We can live vicariously through you since most of us dont have such a great opportunity!

 

[lifevicarious]

Thanks so much for the comments everyone. I have feeling I will go with the R3A and the 40.

As for posting a picture, I have a daily photoblog now. Currently their are pictures posted from trips over the past 4 years. You can see it at www.lifevicarious.com. The trip starts on September 29th!

 

[FrankS]

Correction: I gave you some bad advice. The J12 lens will not fit a Bessa RF camera. Sorry!