RF for Newbie

[qingtian]

Hi All,

Been wanting to explore RF for quite sometime and had been reading and research on the info in a RF.

As a starter who do not wish to spend too much on a RF, I had narrow down in getting a Voigtlander Bessa. I would like to check with the experience from the users for info on the below.

R2A/M vs R3A/M
1) I understand that R2A/M support has framelines of 35, 50, 75 & 90mm and thus minimum 35mm focal length but with a viewfinder magnification factor of 0.7x wherea R3A/M viewfinder is 1x and has 40, 50, 75 & 90mm framelines. I was wonder how will the magnification factor affect me... I ocassionally wear spec though most of the time I'm on contact lens. I'm asking this as it seem like R3A/M is not that suitable for spec user? (Pls correct me if I'm wrong)

2) In term of A vs M. I understand that "A" means the camera body has electronic shutter and have "Aperture Priority". But I was wondering other than this additional features... I guess the rest of the feature of A and M is pretty much the same?

I guess R2A and R3A can turn off this "Aperture Priority" feature and run on fully manual mode though it still depend on battery for the shutter release?

 

[mikhail33]

Hey, i am also a starter and got a R2a, and i use glasses sometimes, but contacts 90% of the time!

The Bessa R2a/m would be better if you want to use wider lenses since even the 40mm frame lines on the R3a/m would be hard to see, especially with glasses on. If your planning to use more tele lenses like 75. 90 etc, the R3 would be better since there is a higher EBL.

The R2a/R3a has a shutter locking function aswell, so you can't accidently take a picture. But the only thing is that it uses electronics and thus depends on batteries and im sometimes afraid to take it out in rain to take a quick picture incase the water spoils the electronics.

If you stay in the east we could meet us sometime and you can try my R2a out to see if u like it!

 

[raytoei]

hi,

Can i suggest that you visit Chiif's camera shop to check out the Voigtlander cameras ?

I don't personally use any of them, ... but lots of people do and love their Bessa.

cheers!

raytoei

 

[qingtian]

Hey, i am also a starter and got a R2a, and i use glasses sometimes, but contacts 90% of the time!

The Bessa R2a/m would be better if you want to use wider lenses since even the 40mm frame lines on the R3a/m would be hard to see, especially with glasses on. If your planning to use more tele lenses like 75. 90 etc, the R3 would be better since there is a higher EBL.

The R2a/R3a has a shutter locking function aswell, so you can't accidently take a picture. But the only thing is that it uses electronics and thus depends on batteries and im sometimes afraid to take it out in rain to take a quick picture incase the water spoils the electronics.

If you stay in the east we could meet us sometime and you can try my R2a out to see if u like it!

Thanks for your input!
I dun forsee myself shooting wide angle on RF as I guess I will stilll be running on my DSLR for the job. I'm consider either the focal length of 35mm or 50mm to start with since it is closer to human eye... dun think I need a zoom but keep the option open for this. :think:

Good point on the electronics part didnt thought of that but I guess it should not be that fagile?
Could I have a rough ideas the battery could last how many shots?

Thanks for the help, I live at north.

 

[qingtian]

hi,

Can i suggest that you visit Chiif's camera shop to check out the Voigtlander cameras ?

I don't personally use any of them, ... but lots of people do and love their Bessa.

cheers!

raytoei

I did went to Chiif's camera shop to take a look at Bessa Rangefinder and I have all this queries after coming back.
I like the build of Bessa

 

[Benji77]

The Bessa's have a lovely bright viewfinder. The camera is well built, loads like a regular 35mm film camera, and best of all is that you have the option to purchase either the A or M models. Its a personal choice on A or M, where you then have the advantage of the Aperture Priority for quick, hassle-free shots. If you know yourself to be a 'mechanical person', the M model is more fun to have.

I personally would take the R4M for its wide angle viewfinder, where I have the option of shooting up to 20mm (correct me if I am wrong, Chiif)

The batteries only power the meter (similar to other 35mm film cameras), and last for a long, long time. (months, even a year)

 

[osocan]

R2A/M vs R3A/M
1) I understand that R2A/M support has framelines of 35, 50, 75 & 90mm and thus minimum 35mm focal length but with a viewfinder magnification factor of 0.7x wherea R3A/M viewfinder is 1x and has 40, 50, 75 & 90mm framelines. I was wonder how will the magnification factor affect me... I ocassionally wear spec though most of the time I'm on contact lens. I'm asking this as it seem like R3A/M is not that suitable for spec user? (Pls correct me if I'm wrong)

2) In term of A vs M. I understand that "A" means the camera body has electronic shutter and have "Aperture Priority". But I was wondering other than this additional features... I guess the rest of the feature of A and M is pretty much the same?

Hi

Whether the R3A/M is suitable for spec users really depends on the individual and also the focal length that you use it with. Personally, I shoot 35mm with it but that's just me. There are those who wear specs and couldnt even see the 40mm framelines. However, if your favourite FL is 50mm, then it shouldnt be an issue.

Besides the aperture priority mode, the A models also have exposure compensation. Yes, you can switch to manual exposure but the shutter still requires batteries to fire.

 

[qingtian]

The Bessa's have a lovely bright viewfinder. The camera is well built, loads like a regular 35mm film camera, and best of all is that you have the option to purchase either the A or M models. Its a personal choice on A or M, where you then have the advantage of the Aperture Priority for quick, hassle-free shots. If you know yourself to be a 'mechanical person', the M model is more fun to have.

I personally would take the R4M for its wide angle viewfinder, where I have the option of shooting up to 20mm (correct me if I am wrong, Chiif)

The batteries only power the meter (similar to other 35mm film cameras), and last for a long, long time. (months, even a year)

I guess A is good since I dun need to worry so much about shutter speed.
It work the same like the Aperture mode of a DSLR, more convinience for a quick shot!

M as what you mention should be more fun but I guess I will struggle abit over there... though is only a matter of time to get use to it. =) but i still prefer a bit of semi auto.
I suppose both A and M metering should be the same.

R4 look pretty cool but I'm not looking at R4 as I am not really looking at focal length that is less than 35mm. This Rangefinder are more for my need in street photography.

The only question I had with me now is should I go for R2A/M or R3A/M.
I prefer the Focal length of 35mm but I'm poison by the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.1
And the next question is how will viewfinder magnification factor of R2 or R3 affect me since I'm not so familiar with this.

 

[Benji77]

Buy the viewfinder that gives you expandability because you WILL buy more lens in the future. :bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[qingtian]

Buy the viewfinder that gives you expandability because you WILL buy more lens in the future. :bsmilie::bsmilie:

Sorry care to elaborate expandability as I'm pretty new with this RF thingy which I am hoping to learn along the way while researching.

 

[Benji77]

Ah, expandability is simple ;p

You first start off with a 35, then you realise its not ''long'' enough, so you get a 50. After awhile, you then realise that the 35 is also not ''wide'' enough. So you get a 20mm. Then you realise that there's also a 15mm VC, so you get that too.....

Then you realise the 50 is not that long compared to the 75mm.....:bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[qingtian]

Ah, expandability is simple ;p

You first start off with a 35, then you realise its not ''long'' enough, so you get a 50. After awhile, you then realise that the 35 is also not ''wide'' enough. So you get a 20mm. Then you realise that there's also a 15mm VC, so you get that too.....

Then you realise the 50 is not that long compared to the 75mm.....:bsmilie::bsmilie:

Sorry my Bad, what I mean is Buy the viewfinder that gives you expandability?
I mean how does this affect me in my choice of lens?

Does that mean if I am looking at focal length of 35, 50, 75 & 90mm I should go for a R2 whereas
If I am looking at focal length of 40, 50, 75 & 90mm, I should look at R3?

That the above I'm not sure in choosing R2 or R3.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Sorry my Bad, what I mean is Buy the viewfinder that gives you expandability?
I mean how does this affect me in my choice of lens?

Does that mean if I am looking at focal length of 35, 50, 75 & 90mm I should go for a R2 whereas
If I am looking at focal length of 40, 50, 75 & 90mm, I should look at R3?

That the above I'm not sure in choosing R2 or R3.

I would go R2, I used to own the R3, bad mistake, I'm wearing specs, couldnt see the 40mm FL in the VF which was quite annoying.

For specs users, I would say go for VF with 0.72 & below, the smaller the number, the better you see.

I understand there are some concerns from some users that at 0.72 & below, fast lenses like F1.2, F1.1, F1.0, F0.95 are hard to focus. I've used F1.2, F1.1, F0.95, spot on focusing on VF mag of 0.62

I would say go R2 as well because there is a wealth of 35mm lenses comapred to 40mm lenses on the market.

 

[qingtian]

I would go R2, I used to own the R3, bad mistake, I'm wearing specs, couldnt see the 40mm FL in the VF which was quite annoying.
For specs users, I would say go for VF with 0.72 & below, the smaller the number, the better you see.

I understand there are some concerns from some users that at 0.72 & below, fast lenses like F1.2, F1.1, F1.0, F0.95 are hard to focus. I've used F1.2, F1.1, F0.95, spot on focusing on VF mag of 0.62
I would say go R2 as well because there is a wealth of 35mm lenses comapred to 40mm lenses on the market.

Hi thanks for the insight, I'm sorry as I'm pretty new to this RF things I'm still trying very hard to visualise the obstacle of those stated in bold. Could I trouble you to share more info perhaps a link for me to read and try to understand this?

Sorry to check bout this, could the R3 use a 35mm FL? will there be any limitation or issues if I would to do that?
Thanks for bearing with me!

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Hi thanks for the insight, I'm sorry as I'm pretty new to this RF things I'm still trying very hard to visualise the obstacle of those stated in bold. Could I trouble you to share more info perhaps a link for me to read and try to understand this?

Sorry to check bout this, could the R3 use a 35mm FL? will there be any limitation or issues if I would to do that?
Thanks for bearing with me!

Hmmm... I dont have any link on hand but its better to visually try it.

Why not head down to Chiif's shop & try both the R2, R3 & R4.

If you are wearing specs that day, the R4 would be the most comfy to actually see the framlines.
Problem with specs is that, users like myself cant put our eyes close to the VF as it was designed to be, so small VF mag does help a lot.

Yep, you can use the 35mm lens on the R3, so instead of using the 40mm FL to frame, use the entire VF but problem would be when you are wearing specs, you already have difficulty looking at the 40mm lines, much less the entire VF view

 

[qingtian]

Hmmm... I dont have any link on hand but its better to visually try it.

Why not head down to Chiif's shop & try both the R2, R3 & R4.

If you are wearing specs that day, the R4 would be the most comfy to actually see the framlines.
Problem with specs is that, users like myself cant put our eyes close to the VF as it was designed to be, so small VF mag does help a lot.

Yep, you can use the 35mm lens on the R3, so instead of using the 40mm FL to frame, use the entire VF but problem would be when you are wearing specs, you already have difficulty looking at the 40mm lines, much less the entire VF view

I didnt wear specs that day and chii is nice enough to provide me some info for me to kick start.
I guess might need to try to find time to go chii shop and try again.

 

[artspraken]

chiif is always very helpful.

He also got interesting Wall of Fame with polaroid pics of users here.

 

[Yoricko]

All the above posts are helpful.

If you think you will succumb to the temptation to get a Leica... just go ahead and buy one. Buy one at the right condition for the right price. You can sell 6 months later at the same price if you don't like the experience.

 

[qingtian]

chiif is always very helpful.

He also got interesting Wall of Fame with polaroid pics of users here.

Yes he sure is!
I did see the wall of Fame also

All the above posts are helpful.
If you think you will succumb to the temptation to get a Leica... just go ahead and buy one. Buy one at the right condition for the right price. You can sell 6 months later at the same price if you don't like the experience.

Pretty sure I dun need a Leica... too out of reach for me.

 

[ZoomP]

Yes he sure is!
I did see the wall of Fame also


Pretty sure I dun need a Leica... too out of reach for me.

Don't be too early to say this. A meterless M2-M3 will cost around 1.3K. Add a meter (Sekronic 208) for 300 and a Japanese lens around 500. Will cost you around 2.1K