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Sloppy Photog Rescued by R3A
My new R3A arrived just in time. Shooting strictly digital SLR for three months had made me sloppy and slovenly in my habits, disrespectful of each unique scene, uninterested in evaluating the lighting on every subject and carefree, knowing each exposure cost really nothing at all.
Too ease the transition I started out on "A", prefering to concentrate on other matters than exposure. The first ten frames were made before I realized I was not focusing. Hmmm. I'd better pay attention. The rest of the roll went more smoothly. I was able to use the exposure hold button. Later, I went to full manual.
Given that the first roll, even when properly focused and exposed, will be garbage, I am quite content knowing that I am once again, for better or for worse, fully in charge of my R3A.
First impressions:
1. It will be interesting to see how the 35mm lens works in conjunction with the 40mm frameline. I don't wear glasses when photographing, prefering instead to use a diopter with the viewfinder. Consequently, I can get my eye close enough to see all around and outside the frame.
2. I don't like the on/off switch. I will leave it on and store the camera without the shutter cocked. I don't think the battery will suffer.
3. The overall fit and finish seems fine. The rangefinder is perfectly aligned in both planes.
4. The shutter is not Leica-like. Everone around you knows when an exposure has been made.
5. The viewfinder readouts are simple, intuitive and logical.
6. The gray body looks nice — the whole impression is of a no-nonsense, business-like machine and that's how it has performed so far.
Thank you, Cosina, for reminding me how to get involved with an image!
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