35 on a R3?

jameshays · 10-25-2004

Can I mount a 35mm lens on the R3a without an external finder? I really am interested in the 40/1.4 but someday would like to use a 35 summicron.

denishr · 10-25-2004

Welcome, James!

I doubt that there are any RFF members with an R3 already - I don't think it's available yet...

However, the usual sources (Gandy site, etc.) might provide some info in the meantime.

Huck Finn · 10-25-2004

The R3A 40mm framelines will cover about 75% of the 35mm field of view. So, you can use it without the external VF but must be aware that your picture will include more than the framelines are enclosing. It's not a lot of space since it's all around the edge & you should be able to adjust to it. After all, the normal 35mm framelines only show 87% of what will be captured on film, so your reduction is less than 15%. (To achieve this the lines themselves are shortened by less than 10%.)

If you need more precise framing, this can be accomplished by using the R2A instead of the R3A. This will display the 35 mm framelines, which at 87% of the 35mm field of view are almost a perfect match for the 40mm lens.

rover · 10-25-2004

The cameras are not out yet, but I do have an R3a on order, so I assume I will have one as early as anyone else does and I will compare the 40mm frameline to the 35mm framelines in my R2.

That being said, it is assumed that the entire area of the R3a viewfinder will approximate the coverage of a 35mm lens. Steve Gandy did recently say on the CVUG though that a seperate 35mm viewfinder would be necessary. He may just be tring to sell some viewfinders. We should know in a month or so.