A newbies thoughts on R3a

davidwau · 01-19-2007

Hello everyone,

A lovely R3a and Nokton 40mm arrived last week from the good folks at Mainline Photographics here in Australia. It's my first rangefinder (well second - but my 3 month affair with a Leica CL hardly counts due to consistent malfunction and the meter dying).

Coming from a Nikon Fe2 and the like, it's been interesting to compare the RF to SLR's. Firstly I have to say I love everything about the R3a but know it will take time to get used to focusing and the 40mm framelines - which are a little awkward to see. That said, my first film is still to come back and I probably should just use the full frame for composition anyway. Love the focal length but wonder if I should have bought a 50mm instead?

Slightly dissapointing is the fact that my Fe2 with 50mm f1.8 seems brighter than the RF, and I was also suprised that the weight of both units seems similar. The shutter sound (noise level) is similar to my ears. I would have expected the RF to be noticably quieter... but then, I am assuming an M would be! One day perhaps.

I miss the size, weight and feel of the CL a little bit, but then I am saving for the rapidwinder which seems to improve the hold according to reports on this forum.

Anyway, despite a few minor dissapointments, I am looking forward to a happy long-term relationship. I certainly don't regret giving up on my digital outfit (despite being employed as a graphic designer speciailising in retouching!) and have never enjoyed photography more. No disrepect to Canon (who make great gear of course) but if I ever have to look through another 20D... aagghhh!

Thanks to everyone for the knowledge I've gained from all the posts, and I look forward to share some piccies and thoughts in the future.

David

ClaremontPhoto · 01-19-2007

Use the full viewfinder for framing with the 40mm lens unless framing is critical. For me it works fine.

The rapidwinder doesn't improve the hold but it does improve the hang (vertical) and it allows left-eyed photographers to wind on without poking themselves in the eye.

davidwau · 01-19-2007

Thanks Jon. Yeah, the hang isn't quite right! Will take your advice and just use the full frame for composition. I should stress that I love the camera - just re-read my post and it sounds like I'm slamming the poor thing! The Voigtlander is a lovely piece of kit! Deciding between the 15mm and the 21 as the next lens... Thought the 40mm would be the only lens I ever used, but that didn't last long.

nikola · 01-19-2007

I have side grip on my r3a and it hangs perfectly...

For me 15mm seams a touch to wide... I think 21 is more usable... everyday wise.

Hiyawaan · 01-19-2007

Congrats on the Bessa. I got the same kit you got a couple of months back and recently got the 15mm. Its a great little lens. Too wide for some maybe but not for me, I love it.

davidwau · 01-19-2007

Yeah I'm leaning towards the 15mm - mainly because it's just so different. I'm sure the 21mm would be more 'useful' (and it's appealing in it's own right) but it might have to wait a while. Would love to see some of your 15mm pics Hiyawaan. Also, do many people use the 12?

One silly question - Tom, my 1 y.o, had a little play with the 40mm yesterday. Stupid dad for leaving it lying around without a lens cap! There's just a few grease marks (very slight) where he briefly touched the lens. The cloth got most of it but there's still a very slight smear - is it best to leave it or use some lens solvent? I know it's the age old question, but I wasn't sure if the coatings on these lenses are particularly delicate or not? Normally I don't bother with it unless it's major. In the last couple of years I have ceased to use UV filters.

Thanks

Sparrow · 01-19-2007

I use the 12mm, it’s, well, wide. Bit of a challenge with candids

Huck Finn · 01-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Claremont

Use the full viewfinder for framing with the 40mm lens unless framing is critical. For me it works fine.

The rapidwinder doesn't improve the hold but it does improve the hang (vertical) and it allows left-eyed photographers to wind on without poking themselves in the eye.

Are you saying not to use the 40 frame lines with the 40 mm lens?

kshapero · 01-19-2007

I had an R3A w 40mm for about a year. The framelines don't really matter. Just shoot away. My experience is that the 40mm is about the sharpest and most versatile lens out there. You have a great combo.

ClaremontPhoto · 01-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck Finn

Are you saying not to use the 40 frame lines with the 40 mm lens?

The 40mm framelines are so close to the edges of the viewfinder that you may as well use the whole viewfinder in many situations.

I use whole viewfinder with a 40mm lens but keep the 50mm framelines selected to help me keep the horizon straight.

But, the person who frames very deliberately may decide to carry on doing so with the 40mm framelines selected.

c.poulton · 01-19-2007

I have the CV 12mm - not really had a chance to exploit it to it's full potential yet, but it's a terrific lens to use - you don't have to worry about focusing, just zone focus and shoot.

I also have the side grip on my R3a which helps gipping the camera greatly, however I usually just use a wrist strap so don't really have to worry if it does not hang straight.

You have got a good setup with the 40mm. As Jon stated, just use the whole viewfinder to frame - the 40mm framelines are so close to the edge it really does not make that much of a difference.

kully · 01-19-2007

It depends on hand size and preference, but I much prefer holding my R2a with the trigger winder - there's more space for my "ring finger" and my pinky isn't lolling about underneath. Plus it gives it a just the right amount of heft and winding with the trigger impresses girls (or is that geeks).

However, I use my winder less and less these days as it adds bulk to something which I wanted for compactness.

Pablito · 01-19-2007

..don't leave any greasy marks on your lens. Clean it carefully, but clean it or you'll have permanent damage. Use a drop or two of good lens cleaning fluid if needed -on lens tissue, kind for cameras, not eyeglasses.

dazedgonebye · 01-19-2007

I'm just getting used to my R3A as well.
I put a grip on it, though I think it needs it less than the R it replaced did.
My impression of the shutter sound is that it's a bit quieter than the R was and about the same as a quality SLR...minus the mirror slap noise. So, I don't think we've got the stealth camera of the world here, but it is less intrusive (in all ways) than an SLR.
I'm using the 35mm ultron on mine and just ignoring the framelines. I think I'll capture a bit more than I see, but that's ok since I tend to compose a bit too tightly anyway.

Roma · 01-19-2007

Congrats David!
You'll love this combo. If I were you, I'd give that 40 some time to adjust before you start getting more lenses (unless there is a "need") I love wide angle, but this 40 is so special that I'm having a hard time taking it off my R3A.
Just make sure and don't use the 90 frame lines inside your 40 for formal composing because they are not even (at least on my R3A).
Good luck!

Roman

davidwau · 01-19-2007

Thanks for the feedback / advice / comments. Will post piccies when I find the film mounts for my scanner... moving sucks! :-)

JonathanA · 01-19-2007

I can't seem to get the 40 nok off of my R3A either. I was worried about the 40mm framelines but now I just use the full finder for composition and it works great. I can't seem to decide between a wider angle (I shoot mostly street photography but I like to shoot in the 35-50 range so the 40mm is perfect) so I've been thinking about possibly getting the 75mm just to have somethign to shoot portraits and the like with.

lshofstra · 01-27-2007

Talking about framelines, and for what it's worth: I recently bought an r3a to put behind a 40mm lens (Rollei Sonnar) and found the 40mm framelines considerably too tight. Same goes for 50mm lines. One the other body I use, an r2, 50mm is nearly spot-on. Anyone else notice this or is it just me/my r3a?

peter_n · 01-27-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonathanA

[snip] I've been thinking about possibly getting the 75mm just to have somethign to shoot portraits and the like with.

The 40mm and 75mm make a perfect two lens kit, and the CV 75mm is an excellent little lens. Go for it!

Burkey · 01-27-2007

I haven't posted in a while, (my teaching schedule this semester has been very hectic), but. . . I really agree strongly with Peter, the 40mm Nokton and the 75 mm Heliar are an incredible combination with the R3A. Add a "T" body for the second lens and the combination makes for a great system.

jmilkins · 01-29-2007

G'day David

I have the R3a , mostly mounting the lovely Minolta Rokkor 40/2 CLE version which is a bit more compact than the CV 1.4 if you don't mind the stop difference.

I use the trigger winder too, more for the heft than the speed - too used to thumb wind!

I've spent a fair bit of time with the CV 15mm on a Bessa L (some samples in the gallery). Awesome fun and quite useable IMHO

Also have to echo the recommendation for the CV 75 - it's a pearler.

Good light, and post some images when you can.

JonathanA · 01-29-2007

Just as a little bit of an update. I've started using my R3A with 40mm Nokton for a lot of street photography and the 2 projects I have going on at the moment and I must say I'm stunned once again. I've always felt that a camera is only great when you forget it's there, and over the past few times shooting that's exactly how it has become. I'm ordering the 75mm this week and in the near future will probably get an R2A for a 2 body system.