35mm lens on R3A without external finder?

zanef2.8 · 01-11-2009

Perhaps a stupid question which is often asked

Is it possible to put a 35mm lens on a R3A by switching to 40mm frameline? I would like to do that if possible so that I don't have to use an external viewfinder.

Do I lose a lot of the field of view in the viewfinder?

thanks

imush · 01-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by zanef2.8

Perhaps a stupid question which is often asked

Is it possible to put a 35mm lens on a R3A by switching to 40mm frameline?

Do I lose a lot of the field of view in the viewfinder?
thanks

Certainly possible, but it is a matter of personal taste if you like the arrangement. If you use the full viewfinder (including the slight margin outside the 40mm frame), it will probably be about right.
Since R3A is 1:1, you should be fine if you shoot with both eyes open, and use the full visible area of the viewfinder as as 35mm 'frameline'.

I did not try it personally though. Being obliged to wear spectacles makes the r3 viewfinder inconvenient at the wider framelines, and for that reason I went for R2M. But I have tried R3x viewfinder in the store, and at the time I thought the full viewfinder might be usable as 35mm frameline, and right-eyed users without glasses can use the left eye to see outside the frame.

payasam · 01-12-2009

You can get away with it. Just frame your shots tightly. The two lenses are not so different in angular coverage.

JRG · 01-12-2009

I'd say you may be able to get away with it.

I think the main issue is not so much the coverage of a 35mm lens vs. that of a 40mm lens, but how easily you can see those 40 framelines. I've got an R3M sitting here, I wear glasses, and I can see the 40 framelines, but only with a little effort. And I'll bet there are other glasses-wearers who would have a lot more trouble than I.

Beg, rent, or borrow an R3x that you can try for a while, to learn whether you can comfortably use those 40 framelines.

zanef2.8 · 01-12-2009

Thanks a lot for the answers. I will be getting an R3A soon which comes with a 50 1.5 and I thought I like to add a 35 lens.