The bessa R3a is very very tempting...

Alan · 05-03-2005

somebody please convince me this is not the right choice. I really want to buy the R3a with 40/1.4 and the vented lens hood... I even thought about selling the L with 25/4 to help finance this combo.

chug · 05-03-2005

Im sorry to say.. but the 40/1.4 is a fantastic lens.. and is well suited to the R3a.. Save up some more so you can keep the L with the 25/4. You'll regret it if you get rid of it!

Flow · 05-03-2005

Hello Alan,

You really shouldn't be getting a R3A. It is really really horrible. It has that 1:1 viewfinder thing that makes it really convenient to have both eyes open when you take pictures. Both eyes open? Geeez that is a crazy idea. And pleeeease the wider range of shutter speeds and faster sync than a Leica? With the 40mm f/1.4 it is even much worse. It is like such a useful tool in such a small package that you can literally carry it everywhere you go. The aperture priority takes away all the fun when sometimes you will need to concentrate on those spontaneous moments instead of exposure details. The camera needs batteris! Without batteries then you will not be able to take any pics. Why don't they use batteries like DL1/3N instead of those super easy to find and cheapo LR44s? It is a horribly great camera and you really shouldn't be getting one.

Are you convinced not to get one yet?

thmk · 05-03-2005

I just have to add that you can use the R3A only with sun glasses because of the very bright viewfinder. Otherwise it is very possible that you will be blinded... If that one does not convince you, you should really buy this camera.

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

Alan · 05-03-2005

you guys are really killing me. if only i have the money, how much do you think a mint L with 25/4 would go for?

Alan · 05-03-2005

nevermind, the whole package would cost 1250+ CAD, so i'm better off keeping the L and start saving up.

chug · 05-04-2005

This just popped up on photo.net..

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-...?msg_id=00C4Ka

R3a with a 50mm leica lens..

05-04-2005

Just joined your forum. Hi.

The link above is for the kit I am selling (on photo.net) so I was interested.

RML · 05-04-2005

Welcome, Trevor! You're already one of the finer people on PN and now we have you here.

JoeFriday · 05-04-2005

howdy Trevor

that looked like a pretty nice R3a that you just sold.. and it obviously didn't take long to find a new owner!

and Alan, I'm not going to be as much help in talking you out of a Bessa as the other guys are.. I'm having the same exact conflict you are.. well, maybe not exactly the same.. I'd love an R3a.. but I'd also love an M3.. and an M6.. and especially an MP

then there's my lens list.. I think I could be happy with just 5 or 6 lenses.. at least for a while

so where do I start? maybe with a Holga.. at least I can afford that

Alan · 05-04-2005

I was looking at the Leicas before i looked at the R3a, the M series are really nice too, especcially the ones with the red dots on it. but since i'm working part time with minimum wages, buying a 3000 dollars camera doesn't sound too realistic.

Flow · 05-04-2005

Leicas are really nice with a red dot on them. But after a while of using them, I am pretty sure most people will try to cover it up with tapes.

Alan · 05-04-2005

why's that?

Biber · 05-05-2005

Alan: It gets a lot of attention even from non-photographers and you don't want that if you're shooting street. I had the markings on my M4 covered with black tape in England but I still met a few people who were trying to figure out what it was by looking at the neck strap, quite annoying. I'll use another strap the next time.

Oh, you people made me buy an R3a instead of my broken R2. Curse you all.

Flow · 05-05-2005

I think one of the whole point of using a rangefinder is they can be a lot more discreet than SLRs, and it is one of the reason why many photographers choose to work with rangefinders. So it is normal that you want to draw as little attentions as possible. Even for my chrome Leica, I painted a tape with model paint into a color that matches the Leica's chrome and then use it to tape up every inscription and the logo on the camera.

Also if you really want to show the red dot, you may also be drawing attention on certain individuals who are getting ready to snatch the camera from you any moment you let your guard down... I don't even use the Leica straps that comes with the camera; I found it to be a horrible strap anyways.

vsolanoy · 05-05-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biber

Alan: It gets a lot of attention even from non-photographers and you don't want that if you're shooting street. I had the markings on my M4 covered with black tape in England but I still met a few people who were trying to figure out what it was by looking at the neck strap, quite annoying. I'll use another strap the next time.

Oh, you people made me buy an R3a instead of my broken R2. Curse you all.

So this isn't really a comment on rangefinders, but on the red dot. I have a Leica Digilux 1 and I should say people who know what the red dot is are drawn to it. I find it interesting since it's not technically the best camera in the world when it comes to white balance and quality of photos, but it is one of the fastest digital point-and-shoots I've owned.

Point is, the Leica red dot does definitely draw attention.