Voigtlander Bessa R3A
Posted by: Arran in Camera, Reviews, Voigtländer, tags: Voigtlander R3A ReviewI only recently purchased a Bessa R3A but it’s already one of my favourite cameras.
For those who arent familiar with this model, here is a bit of info about it.
The Bessa R3A is a 35mm film rangefinder camera made by Cosina Voigtlander in Japan. It features both aperture priority and full manual modes (as opposed to the R3M which lacks aperture priority). The camera has a Leica M mount meaning it can use a multitude of Leica and other brand M mount lenses. It can also use the Leica Thread Mount (M39) lenses via an adapter. The camera is constructed of magnesium alloy meaning that it feels very tough whilst only weighing around 400g. The camera has manually selectable frame lines in the viewfinder of 40/50/75/90 (of use full VF for 35mm), with a very sharp and contrasty rangefinder patch. The viewfinder on these cameras are one of its biggest features. It are incredibly bright and a pleasure to use. An added bonus is that the VF has 1x magnification, so everything is life size and using the camera with both eyes open is extremely easy.
The film advance is very smooth and solid, and the shutter button fires off the electronic shutter with just a light touch. Some people complain that the shutter noise is loud with these (well louder than some of the Leica’s). I cant comment on this as i’ve never used a Leia M for an extended period of time, but i can say the R3A’s shutter is quieter than any DSLR, SLR, and any of the many fixed lens rangefinders i have.
When taking photos in aperture priority mode the VF shows up the shutter speed thats currently selected. If theres not enough light, or too much light, the speed on the extreme end will flash to warn you. In manual mode it displays both your selected shutter speed and the recommended shutter speed at once (one flashes). This is such a simple system and very easy to get used too. You also get a AE lock activated by a separate button right under your thumb, plus exposure compensation for +/-2 stops via 1/2 stop increments. Shutter speeds are B to 1/2000 sec. (which is what i missed on my older rangefinders with only 1/1000 sec), plus iso 25-3200 by 1/3 steps. All pretty standard these days, but better than what i’ve become used to lately.
I’ve only just started shooting with it but can already tell this is a camera designed for the enthusiast. Everything feels solid, comfortable, and simple to use. Plus the price is only a fraction of a similar spec’d Leica (well, how many can you find with 1:1 VF and Av mode??), whilst being able to take all of its lenses and more.
As you can tell i really like this camera. It combines portability, quality, lens/accessory options, and simplicity in a very affordable package. A perfect introduction into the world of M mount rangefinders and lenses. I’m just worried that i’ve started travelling down a path my wallet will begin to hate me for!
Below are a couple pictures i took of it this afternoon. The second one was purely for fun, dont worry, im not trying to take it that serious :p
Camera has the Ultron 35mm f/1.7, side grip, and soft release attached.
You can read some more info here
Plus, i have a hard to find scanned user manual for the R3A/R2A in my Downloads section
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I swear you take more photos of cameras than you do with them.
haha.
; )
what do you feel is the advantage of shooting with a rangefinder over an slr?
haha it probably seems like that hey.
The truth is, i cant be bothered scanning alot of the rolls i take with my film cameras. It just takes me too much time, i must have a really unefficient workflow. Generally i’ll only scan a roll if im going to give/show a particular photo to a friend, then post the remainder on here.
I’m currently looking for some more efficient ways of converting my negs to digital. I think my biggest bottleneck is my scanner. Doing one negative at a time takes a couple minutes each, then i have to open the lid, adjust the scanning device for each negative, then lose the lid again. That doesnt include the time it takes me to correct the exposure of my scanner which seems to scan the same negative differently each time (wil over of underexpose). Anyway, enough complaining about that, i should just bite the bullet and buy a decent scanner..
Advantage of rangefinder over SLR?
Hmm, i like both and use both as they have their own advantages over the other.
I originally got into fixed lens rangefinders because i discovered some had terrific lenses, they are quiet, are very portable, and many are cheaper than SLR’s. I really hate bulky cameras, so it was a nice change using rangefinders and getting some good quality results. Another advantage is their viewfinder. They’re always bright no matter what lens you have atached, plus the viewfinder shows a larger field of view than the lens you have attached which is usefull when anticipating moving subjects etc.
I’ve since moved onto these M mount rangefinders and have discovered theres over 50 years worth of lenses from many manufacturers all over the world i can now use. The options are impressive, eventhough i’ll probably only use a few of them.
It probably comes down to what type of photography you do. If you do macro or any sort of highly accurate photography then rangefinders arent a good choice. What you see isnt always exactly what you get. My favourite cameras ever are still the Olympus OM SLR series, which i still use, but not as often since i got into rangefinders.
Have you ever tried rangefinders Tim? You should try and borrow one for a week or so and see if you like them. But they’re not for everybody though, so you may end up hating them, haha.
haha.. i can’t afford another camera right now so not even going to try.
think i’d prefer getting a medium format if anything..
and yeah, scanning is a pain. wish you could just feed an entire a roll into them and leave them to do their business.
i have the nikon coolscan iv which is great quality, can take strips of 6 but is still a slow ass process.