Thoughts... and dilemmas!

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nikola

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Till now I have used Bessa R3A exclusively with 35mm Ultron that came with her, sometime ago I decided to make a test using 50mm as all-around lens. Cause the R3A is perfect 50mm body, and using 35mm on it it's just to much hassle cause I'm glass wearer and there are no 35mm framelines (I used whole VF coverage). I've even bought diopter for it, but having to remove glasses every time is huge drop in speed and performance. :bang: 😀

After developing last few rolls shooted with 50mm, and previewing results, I'm disappointed and unsatisfied with the look of things... btw It was also weird and clumsy to use 50mm during this test... I was always in need of more space.

...and FSU lenses are just not good enough after getting used to superb Ultron.

The conclusion for now is that I love more 35mm coverage, and Ultron providing it, than R3A (on the last roll I even have one overlapping frame??? 😕 )

I'm viewing future of my photography in single body with 35mm lens... nothing less, nothing more. 🙂 (...btw 70% of my exposures are zone or hyperfocal focused.)

What would be solution to my problems?

I will listen to all your suggestions but don't promise to buy uberexpensive Leica with .58 finder (would that be an ideal 35mm body for geek with glasses?) 😀 ...I'm more thinking about external finders???
 
Are you using the auto exposure capability of the R3A? If so, and if that is something you want to continue to have, you are limited to an R2A, Hexar RF, Zeiss Ikon or M7 (in ascending order of price). All of which have lower viewfinder magnification than the R3A and should be easier to use for a glasses wearer. If you don't need auto exposure or even a meter, your choice is much more broad. The M2 is what a lot of people around here seem to reccomend as a dedicated 35mm shooter due to it's uncluttered viewfinder (only single framelines visable at a time). Anyway, it sounds like you should probably sell your R3A and get something that has 35mm framelines that you can see and meets any other functional requirements you have.

Edit: Good luck!
 
Sorry, just noticed that you said you are ok with external finders. If you are shooting mostly hyperfocal anyway, maybe just pick up the CV Metal 35mm external finder. I have one and it is bright and pleasant to use.

But on the other hand, it sounds like you aren't happy with the quality of the R3A, so my post above still applies if you think you want to change bodies.
 
I'm sorry for being so confused... and confusing. 🙂

...as I said, Bessa is the best camera that I ever used (with slight remark that I didn't have the privilege to try Leica or Ikon) despite some shortcomings... but that's not the issue here.

I'm not sure (or crazy) about external finders either (again, didn't try them nor will I have oportunity) but it is probably the only solution for me (considering budget).

The biggest issue with me and cameras are glasses in between... 🙂
...so I need clearest and highest eyepoint finder possible. Could you compare that VC 35mm metal finder with in camera finder... (what ever you have.)?

Thanks,
Nikola
 
Nikola, probably the best thing would be to find an R2A and see about selling the R3A. (Or get the R2M, if automatic exposure is not important.)

I was going to also suggest finding a Bessa R, but of course you lose the bayonet mount. However, the Ultron is a screw mount lens anyway. The R is not as refined a camera as the R2A/R3A, though.
 
Nikola, if you want to concentrte on the 35mm, have you considered swapping your current camera for an R4A or R4M? They have framelines for 21, 25, 28, 35, and 50.

I use an R4M, wear glasses and have no problems with the finder. The 35 lines are well within the borders of the finder.

Have to say, too, that I agree with you about diopters. It's just too much of a hassle to take off my glasses every time I want to take a shot. Besides, i haven't seen a diopter with as much correction as my eyeglasses.
 
your thoughts are fine, but I have a feeling that Nikola thought about solution with good/small price ... I think that you must try, to switch from 3A to 2A or 2M ...
maybe some RF people with Nokton 40mm need 3A body, and they have 2A 😕

BTW, Frank, thank you for 2M advice, 🙂 the wider, the better!
 
Hi Vlado.... 🙂

I'm not sure about R2A, it's probably the most logical solution but it's to risky... and I'm not sure will it work for me.

Wearing glasses and using 50mm frames I still can't see the corners of lines, when I try without glasses I have comfortable view and some space around lines... this is the best combination.

Comparing R2A and R3A it looks that 35mm lines are equivalent to 40mm... and I can't see the 40 with my glasses on.
vr3a-frame.jpeg


So I would need something equivalent to my perception of view when I use 50mm lines on R3A without glasses. 😀 Too much to ask?

btw The most comfortable VF that I saw till now was the Nikon F100 finder.

Will 35mm metal finder do the trick?
 
I think the better for your budget can be Bessa R and color skopar 35/2.5. You will love it. Get the set from fellows here.
I love mine with 35, 50 mm Industar and soon 75/2.5 Heliar. Amazing lightweight beauty and hyperfocal champion
 
Hi lZr... you skimmed too fast through this thread. 😀

I have Ultron on R3A, love the Ultron and want to keep it as my only lens... but have troubles with framelines, obviously... cause R3A has non for 35mm... and with that I wear glasses so I have muchos problemos viewing through VF.
 
nikola said:
Hi lZr... you skimmed too fast through this thread. 😀

I have Ultron on R3A, love the Ultron and want to keep it as my only lens... but have troubles with framelines, obviously... cause R3A has non for 35mm... and with that I wear glasses so I have muchos problemos viewing through VF.
Click to expand...

Nikola,
as the Ultron is LTM, I second IZr's idea of getting a Bessa R - without the Color Skopar then of course. 😀

Best regards,
Uwe
 
I understand you, but sometimes I say myself:
Take the cons as futures and love the pros.

Shoot only 50 mm for 2-3 weeks and you will see that 35 mm is too wide.... Then
shoot 50 mm again
 
It sounds (1) like seeing the 35 framelines is a critical issue for you b/c of your glasses; (2) you like using your Ultron, which is LTM; and (3) you are looking for a camera body that is not too expensive.

A Canon 7 may fit your criteria. The vf is not as bright as the CV bodies mentioned above (or the Hexar AF), but when cleaned it's still bright enough, and the projected framelines are easy to use. I wear glasses too and have no problem seeing the 35 mm framelines. Plus, the Canon 7 is relatively inexpensive, and built like a tank. You could find a good user w/ a working meter for around $200-$250; even w/ a CLA it would be less expensive than a new Bessa body. Worth a look?

My two cents.
 
Steve you are spot on with 1 and 2 but I'm not sure about buying another body.
As I think about it more, VC metal 35mm finder sounds as the way to go. Can anyone wrote something about it?
 
nikola said:
As I think about it more, VC metal 35mm finder sounds as the way to go. Can anyone wrote something about it?
Click to expand...

I assume you have seen this page http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtacc.htm already?

I don't have a CV 35mm finder, but I own these CV finders: 25mm finder, 28/35 minifinder, 40mm finder and 50 mm finder (I use them mostly with my Bessa T). 28/35 is a bit small and difficult to use, but the others are OK for me. If CV 35 Metal Brightline Finder specs are same as the 35mm plastic version, it has 0.68 magnification. By the way, I wear also classes and I can see the 35mm framelines in my Bessa R2S and Leica M2 finder.
 
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