Starting out with an R2A

[Juan Valdenebro]

Same as OP my first street camera was with AE, but only with AE. Olympus XA. And it NEVER let me down in terms of exposure for hundreds of frames taken over couple of years under ANY light. Take it or not, it did.

My XA, as yours, has the +1.5 exposure compensation lever just for the reasons I explained. Because with plain AE it doesn't do a good job always.

The problem is sometimes we have no time for moving the lever.
If AE was the best way, all Leicas would have it, or even closer to your position, would have it only, without manual. What for manual mode, if AE is that good?

Cheers,
Juan

 

[LukeBanks]

Hi LBeacon1,

Short answer.. they're a hassle to track down in the UK now. 9 months ago I wanted an R2M but had no luck anywhere. Aperture had a mint R3A so I went for that instead. The aperture priority has been used more than expected, works well and is very handy at times.

I've always shot 50mm so love the 1:1 viewfinder but if you're shooting street then a 35mm might be better and the 1:1 only goes down to 40mm so might not be for you.

I wouldn't be too picky to begin with if I were you as the choice will be very few and far between, but they do come up eventually so be patient. A or M models both have their pros and cons, I ended up with the opposite of what I wanted and I'm still happy.

If Aperture get any in then I would highly recommend them, they've been great for me. I know they have a 40mm Nokton in there at the moment so I'm doing my best to avoid the place.. 😉

 

[Bille]

I don't have a large budget but it looks like a Bessa R2A would work for me, with it's built in lightmeter and more of a solid body than the R

You could buy a used M6 and sell at no loss if you dont like it.

 

[valdas]

I sold R2A a few weeks ago here on RFF (buyer was in UK) - wanted to replace it by fully manual camera. After some looking around the deal came my way locally (in Lithuania) - R2A again with 15mm Heliar (500€ for the combo), so I ended up buying back the same model. There are some aspects I don't like about R2A, but overall it is a great camera. Yes, you are dependent on a battery, but then despite what Juan says about AE drawbacks it can still be a convenient feature, plus you can always switch to manual or use exposure compensation if you feel that AE would be lying for a given light condition.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

My XA, as yours, has the +1.5 exposure compensation lever just for the reasons I explained. Because with plain AE it doesn't do a good job always.

The problem is sometimes we have no time for moving the lever.
If AE was the best way, all Leicas would have it, or even closer to your position, would have it only, without manual. What for manual mode, if AE is that good?

Cheers,
Juan

XA never failed me under any possible light just by pressing shutter release button. I have no idea why it doesn't work for you same way.

I also have used Bessa R for street photography as well, all I was doing is rotating shutter speed wheel and aperture and waiting for the blink of "o". It was giving me perfectly exposed "street" pictures. But I ditched R for M as soon as I realized what I lost the possibility to S16. And it is not allowed for "street photography" Jedi. And how could you control the power of light to fight tough on the street Jedi style if camera is in AE! Right? This is what we are after. 😎

But guess what, before you and I become RFF self-proclaimed street gurus, unaware about our future geniusity people of eighties and nineties were taking snapshot pictures with film P&S cameras. It was very cheap AE, no M cameras. It is hard to accept it now, from our street guru pedestals, but millions pictures which were taken on the street by complete amateurs came absolutely right in terms of exposure. 😱


Hugs,
Konstantin.

 

[LBeacon1]

Thanks again for your thoughts - lots of really useful stuff here!

I am slightly tempted to get an M2, looking at the prices on eBay. I can't afford an Zeiss Ikon (and there doesn't seem to be many available), but it looks like I can pick up an M2 for around £600. I do lose the light meter though...

Hmmmm, decisions decisions! It would be much easier if there were actually R2As available to buy in the UK!

 

[tbhv55]

Hmmmm, decisions decisions! It would be much easier if there were actually R2As available to buy in the UK!

I've just seen one advertised - if you're interested, PM me for details.

 

[LBeacon1]

I may have the chance to buy an R4A. I know the difference on paper in specifications, but can anyone tell me the differences when it comes to actually using one?

Many thanks!

 

[mpaniagua]

umm R4A is mostly useful if you are fond on wide lenses and autoexp. Otherwise, stick with the R2A (R4 is more expensive and if you dont use wide lens that much, I guess R2 or R3 will be more useful).

Cheers.

Marcelo

 

[LukeBanks]

The R4A would be great if you only shoot wide. If not you might regret it.

 

[mpaniagua]

The R4A would be great if you only shoot wide. If not you might regret it.

Exactly. 50mm is the less widest frameline it have. Cant use 90mm lens on it, so if you do portrait you will be limited or camera could be a hydrance.

Marcelo

 

[Tompas]

Exactly. 50mm is the less widest frameline it have. (...)

And it is very, very small, too small to be of use in any situation except an emergency (no other camera with you and the subject absolutely demands a 50mm lens).

The R4a/R4m is really a camera vor wide angles. I use it with 21 and 28mm lenses. Perfect.

(For a 50 the R3a/R3m is perfect. And for a 35mm the R2a/R2m. Yes, I have them all.)

 

[Doug]

The Bessa R4 is unique in history in offering a 21mm frameline at the wide end. This is very useful for those who like wide lenses but dislike add-on viewfinders for them! I have an R4A, excellent also with 24/25, 35, and 50mm lenses. Longer lenses actually can be used but you'd want one of those add-on viewfinders... 🙂