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- iron_patriot_1776 (1242)- Feedback left by buyer.Past yearVerified purchaseHope to deal with you again. Thank you.
- emora4292013 (14524)- Feedback left by buyer.More than a year agoVerified purchaseThank you for an easy, pleasant transaction. Excellent buyer. A++++++.
- icecold-us (14119)- Feedback left by buyer.More than a year agoVerified purchaseQuick response and fast payment. Perfect! THANKS!!
Reviews (2)
18 August 2014
An excellent value in a great little rangefinder.
1 of 1 found this helpful I bought this camera because it has a longer effective base length that the Minolta CLE I own which should help with focusing with my 90mm lens. I also purchased this model over the R3A because I wanted a fully manual camera, one that would continue to work even if the battery or electronics failed.
This is a great little camera despite some bad reviews of it on the internet. It compares favorably to my Minolta CLE. It has a solid feel about it and feels well built. Altough the CLE looks sleeker while the R3M looks clunky, they handle the opposite with the R3M feeling sleeker. The CLE feels a little boxy.
The lens mount is smooth works great with the M-mount lenses that I have (Voigtlander and Minolta). I don't find the frame selector to be an issue as I only intend to use the camera with 40mm and 90mm lens which use the same frame line setting.
Focusing is easier for the 40mm and 90mm lenses than with my Minolta CLE. The 100% view finder is awesome and with the 40mm lens allows for a truer both-eyes-open use. I have a little trouble seeing the left 40mm frame line.
The film advance feels nice, better than the Canon A-1 and Canon FTbn SLR cameras that I have but not as nice as the Minolta CLE.
There is more vibration from the shutter than with the CLE, probably due to the fact that the shutter is metal on the R3M and the CLE has a cloth shutter. There is no mistaking the fact that the shutter has been released. That being said, the shutter is not very loud, although it is louder than the CLE. It is much quieter than a 35mm SLR.
Altough the LED metering display is good, I am used to a match needle design and would prefer that. Additionally, in order to get a meter reading, the film must be advanced. A meter on/off switch would be better in my opinion, as I could see if the lighting would allow me to take a shot without having to charge the shutter. It is nice that the metering is through the lens which eliminates the need for filter compensation.
My only other complaint is that the shutter speed dial is a little stiff to turn and the film advance lever is in the way a bit. I image that changing the shutter speed with gloves on would be difficult.
03 January 2016
Solid tool with limitations
Overall, this is a well-made tool and very handy. It is small and light and fits easily in a camera bag. I have used it with lenses mounted in Copal #0 and #1 shutters. It works well with flat metal lens boards such as Linhoff-style boards. Its one flaw is when using it with wooden lens boards that are counter-sunk such as 4" Wisner lens boards. Here, the "pins" that engage the slots in the retaining rings are barely long enough making it difficult to tighten the retaining ring. Even lengthening them 1-2mm would be helpful.