things you'd like to see in the bessa r4

[ghost]

- longer baselength
- two versions with different viewfinder magnifications: .6x and 1:1
- automatic framelines, and preview lever on the front
- self-timer setting coaxial with the shutter button, indicator light on the front
- ae lock in a newly designed shutter button
- spot metering in manual, center weighted in ae
- single curtain shutter
- 1/4000 top shutter speed
- mechanical 1/30 and 1/250 backup shutter speeds
- ttl flash and sync at 1/250
- dx film speed setting
- repositioned strap lugs so it hangs straight
- leatherette goes all the way across the back
- same paint jobs as the zeiss ikon or r3m/r2m
- a deeper accessory side grip

now that they're making the zeiss ikon, maybe cosina will add some of these things. i'm not sure what to expect, though. maybe just a .6x version with 28mm framelines, but otherwise the same.

 

[wlewisiii]

>- longer baselength
>- two versions with different viewfinder magnifications: .6x and 1:1

Ok.

>- automatic framelines, and preview lever on the front

Nope. I like full control over my framelines. Play with a 40mm lens on a R2A and come back; we'll talk about it then.

>- self-timer setting coaxial with the shutter button, indicator light on the front

Ok.

>- ae lock in a newly designed shutter button

Prefer a thumb button for that, but that is a very personal preference.

>- spot metering in manual, center weighted in ae

Major PITA to design. Just give me a fairly small angle of metering - say like the CL has.

>- single curtain shutter

Eh...

>- 1/4000 top shutter speed
>- mechanical 1/30 and 1/250 backup shutter speeds
>- ttl flash and sync at 1/250

All at the same time? Dude, I'd prefer the R4 to cost less than a Leica rather than an order of magnitude more...

>- dx film speed setting
>- repositioned strap lugs so it hangs straight
>- leatherette goes all the way across the back
>- same paint jobs as the zeiss ikon or r3m/r2m
>- a deeper accessory side grip

Cosmetic stuff that we all have differing grumps about.

Just my feelings. 🙂

William

 

[einolu]

I would personally not want AE, a self timer (at all), and the dx film reading thing (I bulk load).

 

[pvdhaar]

What's the rationale for a single curtain shutter?

 

[RML]

I'd liek a new Bessa to be digital, like the R-D1 but without the flaws (very few) and the QC problems (of which we've had some). Bigger sensor? More MPix? I don't need them. Lower price. Yes, please! 🙂

 

[Dougg]

I prefer the shallower side grip, but it's nice to have a choice. 🙂
I find dx film speed setting a major inconvenience, since that means I have to reset the film speed manually even when loading with the same film as I just finished using. That's one of my few gripes about the Fuji GA645... Key is that I never ever use the manufacturer's recommended film speed!
On the automatic framelines, it's at times very handy and at times frustrating. I'd prefer a hybrid design where you have automatic setting but can override this by latching the preview lever where you want it.
I don't much care if there's spot metering in manual, as then I'd be using a hand-held incident meter anyway. IMHO an in-camera meter is mainly useful to run the AE, which makes an improvement in operational speed that overcomes not being incident-mode.

 

[sf]

R4

R4

I liked the R3A for many reasons, but I would like to see the following - short list -

1. longer baselength for handling the 75mm wide open and close up - and the 90.
2. a high quality RF mechanism that arrives in perfect alignment and STAYS so.
3. All metal parts.

I'd pay extra for that. Like $900 for the body instead of $500.

that would do it.


REALLY want to see a faster 75mm in there. Something to compete with the 75 summilux.

 

[rami]

1:1 finder with 28mm framelines 😉
OK, 1:1 with 35 lines will be OK too :>

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Motorised film winding, and rewinding.

They could put the motor inside the takeup spool like Contax did with their 137 back in the 70's.

And Cosina's own take on the Tri-Elmar, perhaps a 20mm-25mm-35mm or similar.

 

[rami]

They could put the motor inside the takeup spool like Contax did with their 137 back in the 70's.

that means + 158 grams and +1.2 decibels... hm...

OK, maybe motor from hexar AF :>

 

[Creagerj]

I don't actually own a bessa, but I plan to. What I want to see is a camera that is an M mount system that is beyond durable and reliable. Something that can be dropped over and over. Can stand very low and very high tempatures. Something that can take a little rain (like a monsoon), and sand and salt. Mag body, powder coated flatish paint (also available in olive like the r2). mechanical shutter, rubber sealed knobs and shutter release. Also, no dependacy on batteries (except for ttl metering, that is a must). AE, not so important, don't add anything that is a wieght adding luxery. Basicly something that can take a serious beating, and packs a price tag of less than $500. It can be done.

 

[ghost]

I prefer the shallower side grip, but it's nice to have a choice. 🙂
I find dx film speed setting a major inconvenience, since that means I have to reset the film speed manually even when loading with the same film as I just finished using.

dx would only be an optional setting on the dial. no need to reset. =)

I'd prefer a hybrid design where you have automatic setting but can override this by latching the preview lever where you want it.

that's a cool idea.

 

[ghost]

What's the rationale for a single curtain shutter?

to safely use collapsible lenses.

 

[Pherdinand]

So, ghost, you want them to redesign:

-rangefinder
-viewfinder
-the whole shutter incl details like shutter button
-meter
-chassis
-covering
and even to change the paint/ing they used.

So, what exactly DO you like in the current Bessa? The idea of a new rangefinder?

🙂)
No offense intended, i just find it funny.

 

[Bob B]

Doesn't anyone want a quieter shutter? That's my biggest (only??) gripe with my R2A.

 

[Azinko]

-Long(er) RF base

-Real, big, good V/F with 1;1 and framelines for 28/35mm eqiv.

-Sony sensor/screen from nikon D200

-Same price point as nikon D200

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Doesn't anyone want a quieter shutter? That's my biggest (only??) gripe with my R2A.

The shutter may sound loud in your den when you load a film, or in a silent church, but it's fine in day to day real life. If you want really quiet you could look into leaf shutter cameras.

 

[ghost]

nooo, not everything. the list is just possibilities. i like the current bessas a lot, but there is room for improvement. some things will find their way into the next model.

 

[Robin Harrison]

All these things sound good: quieter shutter, longer RF baselength, etc. What I would love to see is 'zooming framelines' and selectable VF magnification. The frame selector dial would be replaced with a click-stop knob that allows continuously selectable framelines from 28mm to 135mm. There would also be a magnification selector, allowing 0.6 or 1.0 magnification.

...and then I wake up...

 

[Bertram2]

Motorised film winding, and rewinding.
T.

This (attachable, in a handgrip, not in the takeup spool ) and 28mm frame lines in every version. And a set of good vented hoods for the fast lenses, 28,35 and 50

Bertram