Bessa R3A with glasses: no 50mm framelines either

biogon · 01-14-2005

Just got an R3A by accident (wanted an R2A).

I found out the hard way that with my glasses, I can't even see all the 50mm framelines.

I miss about 20% of the bottom of the 50mm framelines with my eye pushed up against the eyepiece on the viewfinder.

The correction on my right eye is about -6 diopters.

Interesting, huh?

-j

Brian Sweeney · 01-14-2005

I have no trouble seeing the 50mm framelines on my Nikon S2 with its 1.0x finder. My glasses are pretty thick. The S3 and SP have even more margin.

biogon · 01-14-2005

Brian,

Have you tried the R3A with its 1.0x? I wonder if it just has a lot less eye relief built into the optics on its viewfinder.

Is that even possible?

They are just -barely- there in the left and right sides, and the bottom or top is completely cut out for me.

I suppose there's a reason why the new SP is 7600USD+.

-j

Doug · 01-14-2005

Welcome, Biogon! Would it be possible for you to return the R3a in exchange for the R2a you originally intended to get?

biogon · 01-14-2005

Doug,

No problem at all -- the dealer was very willing to take her back and send me an R2A when they get in.

I just had read a lot about how the 40mm lines were problematic for people with glasses, and I hadn't read anyone mention that the 50mm lines were pretty much useless too. (That is, if you have a crazy prescription like I do.)

So I thought I'd put the observation out there... it might help some people make a good decision.

That having been said, the two-open-eye 1:1 trick is FREAKING COOL. I wish the relief was sufficient that I could do it with the 50 (my preferred RF lens.)

Thanks, and take care.

-jon

aizan · 01-14-2005

you could've learnt the coverage of the lens. one less thing to worry about, and still get to enjoy the 1:1 viewfinder!

rover · 01-15-2005

I honestly have no problems at all seeing the 50 lines of the R3a when wearing my glasses. It may be the style of glasses that you wear.

Brian Sweeney · 01-15-2005

I have not tried an R3a. I will look for one the next time I am at Penn camera, or run into one at a show.

biogon · 01-15-2005

Rover,

Ahh... interesting. I wear frameless high-index (Zeiss

) glasses, high myopic correction at around -6 diopters.

They sit fairly close to my face, but they are rather strong.

For reference, I have a little difficulty seeing the 35mm framelines on the 0.7x finder, but the 50mm ones are perfect.

-j

biogon · 01-15-2005

Aizan,

That's true.

The problem that I had is that with the 50mm framlines, I barely could see them, which means I could barely see beyond them.

I actually do very much like the trick with RF photo that you can see what's entering and exiting the frame, and if I can't see the frame, even with both eyes open, it's hard to estimate that.

-j

aizan · 01-15-2005

actually, i meant memorizing the framelines, to be able to visualize them without seeing them. you could switch to the 40s to avoid distraction. if it doesn't help you shoot faster and more effortlessly, why bother with a 1:1 finder? i've been thinking of getting a canon p and somehow removing the 35 and 100 framelines, and the 50 if i could barely see that as well. it'd certainly be less expensive.

biogon · 01-15-2005

Aizan,

Wow.

I'm not that skilled, that smart, or that dedicated.

Nifty idea, but... whew, that would be hard. I'd hate to "misestimate" the lines and chop off something important.

-j

rover · 01-15-2005

Quote:

Originally posted by biogon
Rover,

Ahh... interesting. I wear frameless high-index (Zeiss ) glasses, high myopic correction at around -6 diopters.

They sit fairly close to my face, but they are rather strong.

For reference, I have a little difficulty seeing the 35mm framelines on the 0.7x finder, but the 50mm ones are perfect.

-j

I have a Zeiss coating on my classes too, no T* on the frame though. Do you find it hard to keep them clean?

We may have hit something, 35mm framelines on my R2 are fully apparent as are the 50mm of the R3a. The only difference probably is the type/style of glasses.

biogon · 01-15-2005

Rover,

Yep... I have to clean them pretty much once a day or once every two days. They collect crap (oil?) faster than my old Hoya lenses, for some reason.

I bet you're right. I'm mostly blind without my glasses -- I can't see the number of fingers held up at 10 feet.

Also, they're fashionably (hah) wide (horizontally) and short (vertically) and the highest index of refraction I could get in polycarbonate.

Probably all these things contribute to the problem.

Ah, well. One day I'll get Lasik. Sigh.

No cool 1:1 finder, no cool wraparound shades... My dratted genes!

-j

GeneW · 01-15-2005

I splurged a few weeks ago and picked up a 1:1 50mm external VF from cameraquest. Got it mainly for my FSU cams but may use it on the Bessa R2 as well, even though I can see its 50mm framelines pretty well. Yes, 1:1 is a great experience.

Gene

Brian Sweeney · 01-15-2005

For all intent and purpose, the Leica M3 0.91x finder allows two-eye viewing. It has plenty of margin.

AND the Nikon S3 has a 1x finder with 35mm lines. The 50mm lines give a LOT of margin. With the new SP out, I bet the price of S3-2000's and original S3's come down to within reach of the R3a with lens. I paid $900 for a user condition S3 with 5cm F1.4 that had been recently CLA'd. The finder is near perfect on it. Give it a try!

FrankS · 01-15-2005

This thread has been an interesting read for me, thanks. Unfortunately for me, I am left-eye dominant (due to a weakness in my right eye) so I can't try that 2 eyes open trick with RF viewfinders because the camera body blocks my right eye. Now, if I got an external 50mm viewfinder, I could look over the top of the camera, right?