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Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Film Cameras
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I use quite a few Leica M mount cameras - both film and digital, as well as the Minolta CLE which takes the M mount lenses. I didn't mean to buy the Bessa. By that I mean that I did not expect to win the auction with my low bid. But I did which allowed me to satisfy my curiosity to see what these things are like. If I'm not going to like it, I'll sell it on. The obvious - in no way, shape or form is it as nicely made or feels as nice as a Leica. But how can it given it is a fraction of the cost? The negatives - it feels a little 'clanky'. The way the metal frame feels, the way the film winds, the way the shutter sounds. The shutter speeds in the viewfinder are a little hard to see unless you have your eye just so. The exposure lock button is a little awkward to use. The positives - stick a lens on it, it takes great pictures. Stick a Leica lens on it and the exposed film would have no idea that a Leica camera was not used! The auto exposure gives great results. You suddenly realize that this thing is fun, the VF is easy to use and it's cool that it is NOT a Leica. Recommended.Read full review
most of us can't afford a leica, i view this camera as a stepping stone to eventually get one. has great features and build for the money. Only complaint with the R3a is the viewfinder is sometimes hard to use with the widest framelines (40/50mm), especially with glasses. would recommend going for the r2a if you have glasses, or the r4a if you want to use wider lenses.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I have owned several Bessas- the Bessa L, the Bessa R, the B3a. These are all excellent cameras with the Leica lens mount. They have accurate metering, accurate focusing, and with the R3a, aperture-preferred automation with exposure compensation. They flash sync at 1/125th unlike the Leicas at 1/50th. Any Leicanut will tell you this camera is not as heavy/substantial as an M7/M6/M3 or that the rangefinder base length is shorter than the M6/M7. All of that is true- but the Bessa is $550 new and a new M7 is $3495 from B&H. There is not a photographer in the country who can tell what picture was taken with a bessa body as opposed to a Leica body. THis is an excellent camera to get started in leica-mount lenses or as a back up body for your Leica (I own an M6 as well).
So I was on the hunt for a Bessa R3A in gray for quite a while. I was hesitant to pull the trigger on a few other listings only because they had a physical defect somewhere on the camera body that was just too big to ignore. So when I saw a gray Bessa R3A for sale that looked like it was in excellent condition I just had to go for it. THIS THING LOOKS EVEN BETTER IN PERSON THAN IT DID IN THE PHOTOS. I've shot 3 rolls of film with it so far (Superia 400, Portra 400, Kodak Gold 400) with a Canon 50/1.5 and it's completely, 100% operational with no problems at all. Of course, a few modern Bessas of this type have slight problems with initially winding the film but I quickly learned how to properly wind the film after only a couple of rolls. The shutter is quick and snappy and the mechanism is nowhere near as loud as its ancestors (I'm looking at you, R2). The viewfinder is very, very clean. Lightmeter fully functional and agile. The hot shoe and winder are both is really well-kept condition and there's barely any weathering or "brassing" at all on any of the parts. With the exception of a very small scratch on the bottom of the body itself, the camera is pretty much in like-new condition. Super happy with this buy and I'll be sure to take good care of it well into the future!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Would prefer the mechanical one, In cold weather long time out of the bag has a problem with battery, for people with glass the 40mm frame is just, we don't see it all. 50mm frame perfect. Like also the viewfinder 1/1. A little noisy. Would recommend it
