✅ Check price on eBay - (Com) ebay.to/3fjuoR2 (Co.uk) ebay.to/3dXzOAQ ▶️ Watch Next: Leica M6 vs Leica M4-P - kzread.info/dash/bejne/pohrl9uxnNOXnKw.html

I'm now a proud owner of the R3A! Shot my first roll with the Nokton 40mm f/1.4. It's so great for street photography, just zone focus and let the aperture priority take care of the shutter speed. I'm loving it so far!

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

Жыл бұрын

Congrats!! I mentioned this camera in today's YT video. It's another awesome 40mm lens from Voigtlander. :)

I've been so excited for this one!

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sean. If you use Instagram check my story today @MrLeicaCom.. I think you will like it! :) ..it show what is to come. ..and I hope this video didn't disappoint!?

Fantastic insight as always, Matt! 👍👍👍

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Maurizio.. I was trying so hard to make the video more concise and shorter I forgot to compare sounds.. safe to say the Leica cloth shutter is quieter if you are interested.

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for making it! 😁 📷

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Great video. I have a R4A and love it :)

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks El, haha I am jealous. I don't have an R4 Bessa yet! :) ..But there are reviews coming for the T, R, R2C and I already review the L - kzread.info/dash/bejne/g6Zh1rGcdpe6dNI.html

Prices really went up, I got my Bessa R2A for roughly 500€ a couple of years back and was almost new. still love it. I choose the R2A because of the 35mm which I like to use.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ingo! Yes I think the new wave of film shooters is really starting to push a lot of camera prices up (the good ones anyway!) :) The R2A is nice. I will show my R2C in a later video.

I have an m4, m4-2 and m3 and I just bought a voigtlander r2m to try something with a meter. I have heard the voigtlanders are not made as well as leicas but the only camera I have that comes close to the build is my nikon f2. I don't think many cameras come close to the build of a leica. The two cameras I would never sell are my leica m3 and nikon f2. I cant justify the prices of an m6 and I would rather put saved money into lenses. I have not received the camera but I am really excited to shoot with it. Great Review btw. I am very happy you are doing youtube stuff now!

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Robert. If you see the start of my hold to load film in a Bessa camera video you will see a Bessa L, R, R2, R3. The L and R are very plastic feeling. The R2 C model I have is much more solid and seeminly well built. Perhaps the best of the series for build. I hope you like yours. I will do reviews on the othe Bessas when i've used them more... and thanks!

Thanks, very good video. Back in 2006 I got a brand new Bessa R2M 250 year kit including a collapsible Heliar 50 mm f2.0 lens for approx. 800€ (VAT included), a real bargain. Later that year I had a Leica MP body in my hands. The Leica has a better but heavier build quality, however I prefer the handling of the Bessa because it's lighter and it has a kind of thumb grip on the back. Whish I also would have purchased the Bessa R4M that allows to use a 21 mm lens without the use of an external viewfinder. Looking now on the used market the price of Bessas go crazy high. Sad they were all discontinued.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks RJ, yes agreed to everything you say. I would like a R4M too but the pricey have gone crazy. I have been buying up some of the lessor known Bessa so you will see those featuring in future videos! I think they offer an excellent alternative to a Leica and at a lower price point. More Bessa's soon once i've shot more sample photod with them! (I've already done a Bessa L video a while ago and that camera is the cheapest Bessa on the market, albeit quirky!)

Awesome vid Matt! For someone that shoots mainly 35 and 28, would you recommend the R2C. Having a hard time trying to figure out he Bessa that is most suitable!

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dino, it depends what mount you shoot? See the R2C video I did for more on that one

I have the original LTM Bessa. Given the resurgence in interest in film, I wish they'd start making these again.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

7 ай бұрын

Yes I did say that to them a few times!

Hi Matt and thanks for yet another great video. I loved my Leica M cameras (bought and sold one after the other: two M3 bodies-1DS and 1SS-, three M6-last one being TTL and 0.85X) but so much money tied in one bodie didn't allow me to buy the lenses I wanted... Sold my last M6, bought a Bessa R3M (believe the R2M could better be compared to the M6 TTL when the R2A could be compared to the M7 don't you think?) and I am totaly in love with the clear and X1 magnification viewfinder!!! I don't go any shorter than 35mm so the 40mm viewfinder is good enough and I get to aim both eyes open. Plus that Voîgtlander 40mm f1.4 is one great lens in a short and light package. I love the film advance lever on the Leica M3/2 so I bought from ebay a black one that mounted on the M6 which replaced the original which personnaly I couldn't get along with (that plastic thing wiggling doesn't sit well on a 2k€ camera!!!) but I do like the advance lever on the Bessa which is the exact same as on the Nikon F2/F3. Hands down camera specs on the Bessa are what they should have been on the M7 (1/2000 comes in handy when the ND filter stayed home....) and that viewfinder X1 magnification is why the Leica M3's are sought after (that and the Henri cartier Bresson aura) plus some goodies like the film loading (a tad bit faster on the Bessa without the need of a third hand holding the base plate....) and the film preview window is nice. Again, thanks for your time on these videos. Take care.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Nicolas! Sounds like you've had a good journey with Leicas! Yes agreed the R3A would be better up against a M7 but I don't have an M7 sadly ha. I will share more Bessa cameras, R, R2C, T and i've already done the L - kzread.info/dash/bejne/g6Zh1rGcdpe6dNI.html . I just need shoot these cameras more first as they are all quite recent. I've had the Bessa R3A since pre-Leica. I hope Leica make a Leica build Bessa one day. The best of both! :)

Thanks for your work! Could you please tell me, which camera has better focusing - this bessa r3a or nikon fm3a?

Excellent review, thanks. Is the Voigtlander-Bessa made of plastic instead of metal? Or a mix of both? The most attractive of the Voigtlander-Bessa is the 1.0x viewfinder magnification. Likely the reason why 35 mm frame lines were not included (40 mm are probably the most narrow it can provide with this magnification).

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Martin, if you saw my Instagram story I have started to collect quite a few Bessa cameras.. the build various on each.. the lighter it is normally the less metal. The R2 is much more solid that the R for example. The R3A feels cheap and light next to a Leica but Leica are heavy I guess. You can get the R2 version for 35mm lines but then you lose the 1.0x finder.. always a balance! :)

A great video, Matt - thanks! I am just curious. Why did you suggest the R2A and R2M, but not the basic R2?

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

3 жыл бұрын

Jerry Adam thanks Jerry, sorry it was just an oversight on my part. The R2 is a great camera. I have the R2C version. Video to come at some point!

Great review, but I'd like a little more info on the lenses. There seems to confusion about screw mount or bayonet for the R2a. I have a M10 can I use my bayonet glass on the R2a glass without an adapter?

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

2 жыл бұрын

Hi thanks. There are no glass adapters used with old cameras so ignore that bit. Yes M10 is M mount and so is R2A so no adapter needed. If still worried setup a zoom call with me via Patreon and I can explain/ show you.

just bought a r4a cuz first of all i wear glasses and sec is because of the framelines i prefer shooting with 28mm 35mm 50mm and last but not least are the shutter speed and ae mode i really enjoy in it !

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

Жыл бұрын

Congrats! See my R4M video and you will be able to relate. Great cameras!

@hsuehprettyboien5695

Жыл бұрын

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I just saw it and have a question that if I shoot my r4a with 35mm lens, would it cause a problem ( I saw someone commented below saying not for lens over 28mm),such as not focusing correctly and so forth thx( I just ordered a nokton classic 35mm/1.4 but haven't try 35mm on the camera tho

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

Жыл бұрын

@@hsuehprettyboien5695 35mm will focus no problem 👍🏻

I have a Konica Hexar RF which does whatever M6 does but with additional auto film loading and rewinding. It is getting quite expensive now.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

3 жыл бұрын

Nice yes I saw the prices were high now, annoyingly!

Great review. Is there a Bessa with 28mm frame lines?

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

11 ай бұрын

Thanks! The R4A & R4M have the widest framelines of all M mount cameras.

the prices of all the bessa are very high now

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Yes I was surprised when I researched the price of the R3A.. I've had mine since pre-Leica.

@robertchestnut3331

4 жыл бұрын

I know I just bought one and they have gone up. luckily I don't think I paid too much. I do think I paid what its worth and would not have paid a penny more.

Great video It probably would have been better to compare them using an M7 rather than the M6 - but if you haven’t got one you can’t do it All the best 👍

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ronald, I hope to review more cameras that I don't own going forward. I will work with the Leica team.

One question: the parallax correction in the R3A (and presumably in the R3M, which I'm looking at), is it the kind where the whole frame moves down and to the right (as in the Mamiya 7, which I didn't really take to), or the kind where the bottom and right frame-lines stay where they are and only the top and left frame-lines move, thereby shrinking the frame slightly (as in the Fuji GF670, which I love)?

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

3 жыл бұрын

Kelvin, your speaking my language with some of those nice words!! Like "Fuji GF670"!! Still need to review that camera.. and like you I struggle with the Mamiya 7.. I sure anyone who's tried the Fuji can look at the 7 in a new light. Ie. it isn't the perfect/ best camera ever! (Mini rant ha)... erm RF..I think it is the same as Leica where you don't notice unless you line up the VF with something straight to try to track it moving.. hang on I will try to find a Bessa..R4M.. the screen/ frames moves up.. looks good, no complaints.

@kelvinp.coleman563

3 жыл бұрын

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom "Same as Leica"... ha! If I had the budget for a Leica, I imagine I could buy several R3M's just to check for myself. :-P

I only watched it for the shutter sound. Well, next time I guess.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

5 ай бұрын

See recent video for Nikon F3 shutter sound

Hi Matt, hope you are well. You said in the Bessa R review that it was not good for portraits or fast lenses, does the same apply to the R3a ? I was thinking of getting one with the voigtlander 40mm f2. Would that be a good combo ?

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Steven, I used the R3A + 4014 for a period and enjoyed it. It has a 1:1 viewfinder and 0.7m close focus so better than R. Still not as good as the M3 but better than most Bessa.

Nice video, but why do you have the r3a if don't use the AE?

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I've had my Bessa R3A since pre-Leica and back then all I knew was that I "needed" Leica M mount. I was less clued up 10+ yrs ago. I rarely use the R3A as I have other Bessa cameras that I use more (manual ones).

Hi, I have recently got a bessa r3m with a minolta 40mm f2. I'd like to get a 50mm that's doesn't enter in the field of view of the viewfinder. Which lens would you recommend? Thank you so much!

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

Жыл бұрын

Hi Raffaele, see some of my small lens videos (I have a new one out soon too). Nokton 50 1.5 v2 is small, Canon 50 1.8 might be OK, Leica Summarit 50 2.4

The Bessa R3A is a better camera compared to the M6, IMHO. I have both and the Bessa does everything the M6 does, plus the ergonomic is much much much better.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Claudio, The R3A is great when it works but only 5 years ago repair guys wouldn't touch the Bessa as said not worth repairing. No one has ever said that about a Leica. So for long term Leica still win for me.

@grootbatavia

3 ай бұрын

Functionally and when fully operational, yes. However, in terms of build and serviceability, not even close. Even my old Leica M3 will happily take pictures 100 years from now, my Bessa is fine at the moment, but when something goes awry, it becomes a fancy paperweight.

I just found BESSA R3M + 40mm f 1,4 lens price - 1.210,48 British Pounds!! condition 10 !! ?? What do you think buddy :) Hi from Denmark !

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

3 жыл бұрын

Hi! The prices are have gone up but I saw around £1100 body only when I last checked so that sounds a great deal. Lens is worth £300 maybe. Cheers Matt!

i really wish there was an oversized leica design that shot 120 film.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

3 жыл бұрын

Me too!! So much! I would buy it tomorrow!

@ackamack101

3 жыл бұрын

There is. Or there was lol. Fuji made a 6x9 medium format rangefinder (GW690 series) that is often called the Texas Leica. 6x9 medium format is the same 2x3 ratio as 35mm, so you are still getting that rectangle, just on a bigger negative. Also, more antique is the Bessa II, a folding 6x9 medium format camera. Same idea as the Fuji, just more compact. Both are Rangefinder cameras. You would probably be able to find either of these if you looked long enough. 😌❤️ 📷

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

3 жыл бұрын

@@ackamack101 thanks yes I know both cameras. I probably have enough and I always thought the Texas Leica was too big but recently I discovered Leica R cameras/ lenses so enjoying those currently!

@ackamack101

3 жыл бұрын

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom That’s great! Plus, like you said, Fuji’s Texas Leica is a big camera to have to carry around! lol The Bessa r3a seems like a perfect size for carrying about. I really enjoyed this video. Thank you again for it.

Could you potentially use a 28mm lens with this R3A and just use the whole window to frame the shot?

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

2 жыл бұрын

Good question, I used to do that for 35mm but not 28mm. If worth trying it and experimenting. It should give you enough of a gauge unless the edges of the frame are specifically important to you.

Bessa R series is build on cheap Cosina made SLR (for Nikon it was named as FM10). I had NIB R2M and just can't compare it to my beater M4-2. Bessa's shutter speed dial is rough and film advance is finicky (if advanced quickly, frames space will change). And most annoying is Bessa's tendency to turn lens up if on the neck strap. Bessa's exterior is nowhere durable as M as well. Shorter RF base and so on... M6 is not worth of its current market price, so are Bessas.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kostya, yes well summarised. For build Leica wins but I quite enjoy the lighter build of the Bessas for some applications. (The Bessa chassic from Cosina does seem to vary between models. The R2C is much better built than the R, L and maybe even the R3A).

May I ask...do folks know...if I put a 35mm lens on the Bessa R3A...and then set the Rangefinder Setting to "40"...will the Rangefinder in the viewfinder still focus adequately for images with the 35mm lens? Or, perhaps only with aperture settings over F8 (e.g., F11, F16, F22), for a greater depth of field?

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, you might not be understanding how it works quite right. All lenses will focus corrected 21,28,35,40,50 etc with 40 setting, BUT the 40mm setting is a window showing what is in the frame. If 35mm lens on "40" setting you will see one photo in the camera but the film will capture a wider scene. If you are struggling reach out to me at mrleica.com/zoom and I can help.

@TrilobitesRTasty

2 жыл бұрын

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom EXCELLENT! So...the bottom line is that...I can still use my 35mm lens on the R3A. It's just that my 35 mm lens will deliver a bit wider image to the film than the image displayed to my eye by the selected "40" frame in the viewfinder. :) So, it sounds like the rangefinder "patch"...in the exact center of the viewfinder...will still display the "focus lines" to my eye...regardless of which M-mount lens I have mounted on the front of the Bessa R3A. Thank you very much, Mr. Osborne! I appreciate your help...and your amazing videos.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

2 жыл бұрын

@@TrilobitesRTasty Correct and happy to help! :)

Hi Matt I’m considering the Bessarabia and I’m wondering if anyone in the UK services/adjusts these cameras if needed. Any ideas? Thanks Caula

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

Жыл бұрын

Hi Caula, yes most camera repair shops do these Bessa cameras. They are pretty common here.

@caulacau2318

Жыл бұрын

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks for replying Matt. Much appreciated.

Do you have any experience with the Leitz CL? I can buy one with a not working lightmeter but bundled with 40mm Summicron at the same price as a fully working R3A with 40mm Nokton. Struggle in deciding which one of the two.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

Жыл бұрын

I used both, still have CL. If you want small get CL. (see that video). If you ever want to do shallow DOF shots gets the R3A - CL is VF/RF is not accurate enough to do it.

@wckoek

Жыл бұрын

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I see, do you think the Nokton is comparable to Summicron? I think the R3A suits me more, but I wondered if the lightmeter problem of CL is not difficult to fix. I've read that this is a common problem.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

Жыл бұрын

@@wckoek my CL meter is dead too. See my Minolta 40mm video (like the Cron)

@wckoek

Жыл бұрын

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I get your point, probably better for me to get an R3A, or a III/Nicca if I need portability (aside from difficulty in getting quality lens). Thanks

Can we compare a MAZDA MX 5 to an Italian car? To an oil leaking, coughing Britsh sportscar? To a French Renault Foride 1960? Is it HIGH TREASON against photography to shoot with a Cosina-Bessa? It must be a Leica, I think.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

2 жыл бұрын

Haha thanks Jaco. Yes build quality is certainly different and with current high Bessa prices I agree, pay more and get a Leica vs ‘high end Bessa’ models. Cheap Bessa are ok as light so serve different purpose vs Leica.

Do voigtlander still make camera’s?

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

4 жыл бұрын

Sadly no, It is actually Cosina Voigtlander that made all these 'modern' cameras not the orginal Voigtlander. They used the same name. I have an original Bessa too and that is a very different camera. I will share it when I get chance. On my list! :)

Prices up n stuck

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

2 жыл бұрын

Yes they don’t seem to be coming down

Sadly.. It is not cheap any more.

@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom

Жыл бұрын

Yes during lockdown times all the prices went up sadly