Please convince me I want a R3M...

[infosecgeek]

I'm lazy.. So scanning might end up being my downfall.. I have been shooting M4/3rds exclusively with CV 15, 28 F2, 35 1.2 and 50 1.1...

After about a month of this and my new found love of street photography I think I want to go with rangefinder... I prefer the full manual of the R3M... Have been lurking here and other sites... I can't find one used locally so will probably buy one from Photo Village..

I'm trying to convince myself this will not be another money pit...

My paid photography is all motorsports, so this will be pure pleasure.

[Ranchu]

Chicks dig film.

[f16sunshine]

Take an RD1. if you hate scanning you will be back to the m4/3 in no time. The rd1 is great. With your lenses the crop factor will be a non issue IMHO.

[kshapero]

Take an RD1. if you hate scanning you will be back to the m4/3 in no time. The rd1 is great. With your lenses the crop factor will be a non issue IMHO.Good point but the R3M is a REALLY nice rig.

[dseelig]

Get an old M2 way better then a r3m

[Leigh Youdale]

I'm lazy.. So scanning might end up being my downfall.. I have been shooting M4/3rds exclusively with CV 15, 28 F2, 35 1.2 and 50 1.1...
I prefer the full manual of the R3M...


I have both the R3A and the R4A. Both can be used in manual mode but the Aperture Priority Auto has advantages sometimes for quick reflex shots. But It's up to you really.
The one thing I would suggest though is you consider that the R3* has framelines from 40mm to 90mm. I find for street work that the R4* with frames for wider lenses is the more useful. You seem to already have a range of lenses that match the frames of the R4* (except the 15mm) so make sure you choose the body that is going to be the most convenient to use with your range of preferred lenses.

[zenlibra]

I have been using an R3M for almost a year, mostly with a 50mm f/1.5. It is a fine camera with a smooth film advance and smooth film rewind. For the money it is an excellent entry into rangefinder photography.

[binky]

don't get the R3M...get the R4M :)

but seriously, I think it's a good "investment" to get a film camera because chances are that you'll get a lot of mileage from it. You can learn developing your own films, the finer points of film selection, etc. Yeah, it's more work, but you might find yourself being more methodic. At worst, if you find it less than what you expect and too much fuss, you can sell your RxM within a year and not lose too much, and still keep the lenses.

Speaking of the lenses, I suggested the R4M because you have some wide angles there (28, 35). The R3M is nice, but won't have framelines for 28/35. You can work around with a 40 frameline by using the entire finder, but probably need an external finder for the 28 (and 15 if you don't already have that).

[thegman]

Zeiss Ikon has 28mm, 35mm and 50mm framelines.

I have recently started scanning myself, and it is indeed a bit of a pain, but if you really don't like it, just pay someone else to do it for you.

[infosecgeek]

Hmmm... interesting thanks for all the advice... I'm staying away from the RD-1 because eventually I will be buying an m8.. I just want to learn the rangefinder first....

I was looking at the R3M because of the mechanical shutter and AE doesn't mean much to me.. I shoot mostly manual (been shooting my lubitel more and more lately) so a meter would be more than I would need., just took a look at the specs and the R4M seems to be good deal... Back to the drawing board.. Will stop by photo village to take a look today.

I will be developing myself as I only plan on shooting B&W... I don't have room nor can I justify a high end film scanner.. Was looking at the Epson V600 or Canon 8800.. Both can do 12 frames at a time... Figure I do low res passes first then if I really like something 48 bit..

Most will be for web viewing...Like I said this will be strictly for pleasure.. I carry my canon rigs when I get paid for it...

[tritiated]

Get one.. and your search for enlightenment... will be.. complete.. forget the higgs boson.. R3M is the god particle..

[Roger Warren]

Rangefinders are fun but slow if coming from SLR.

[david.elliott]

Rangefinders are fun but slow if coming from SLR.

I do not find rangefinders slow compared to a SLR.

[patois]

My R3M has made me taller, hotter and more romantically successful. I also find it very relaxing to use and i've taken great pictures with it.

[d.sge]

CV 15, 28 F2, 35 1.2 and 50 1.1...

Unless you're partial to the 1:1 viewfinder that the R3M provides (I definitely am), I'd probably go with the R4M and a viewfinder for the 50mm as well.


I can't find one used locally so will probably buy one from Photo Village..

I've had nothing but good experiences with these guys. They've always gone above and beyond.



I'm trying to convince myself this will not be another money pit...


If it's of any help, since picking up an R3M I've only shot two rolls of film in other cameras. Though, I do sometimes feel bad for my SLRs new status as last to be picked.

[Keith]

Rangefinders are fun but slow if coming from SLR.


I generally pick an SLR most of the time for multiple reasons but fast focusing isn't one of them. In poor light a rangefinder is very quick to focus ... I usually get quite a few shots with missed focus if I choose an SLR in these conditions. It's probably age related but it is an issue and ensures that I'll always have at least one rangefinder in the cupboard.

[infosecgeek]

Wow.. I forgot I posted this... in my quest for a r3/4 I ended up picking up a lightly used M6TTL.... the rangefinder takes some getting used to but I'm excited about it.. 2 rolls down.