How is the Bessa R3A viewfinder for eyeglasses wearer?

[Bill Mitchell]

Can you see the 50mm lines? How about the 40mm lines? Thanks.

 

[Will S]

The 75 and 90 lines are sharp and clear.

I can see 2 of the 4 lines at 40 very easily. If I tilt my head just slightly I can see the other two. I can see all sides sometimes, but it isn't automatic. I can see the top 3 at 50mm all of the time. But not the bottom line for some reason.

Actually, the big problem with me is that I use the meter, which means that I have to close my left eye and look down a little anyway. Also, I find it hard to focus with both eyes open. The meter is also hard to see in very bright light.

I really like this camera even with the glasses issue. The color heliar 75 and the nokton 40 I have a great. I wish that it could do double exposure just because I fire a blank frame every once in a while by accident!

Best,

Will

 

[troym]

I wear glasses and I can see the 50mm framelines without a problem. There isn't a bottom frameline for the 50, by the way, just two bottom "corners."

The 40mm framelines are much closer to the edge of the viewfinder, but I got over my initial frustration about that.

I find that if I look straight ahead at the focus patch and don't try to hunt around looking for the framelines, I can see them.

Also, I use the AE most of the time, so seeing the meter reading for every shot is not so critical to me.

 

[Max Power]

I usually remove my glasses when using the R3A. Yesterday, though, I forgot to leave my glasses in my car, so I was stuck with them. I found that I could fairly easily see the 50mm framelines, however, I had to hunt for the shutter-speed readout. I seriously doubt that one could see the 40mm framelines with glasses.

I'm fortunate, though, in that my eyeglass prescription is pretty weak, so I tend to shoot without my glasses on. Right now I'm hunting for a diopter for my R3A.

It may be a bit of a PITA for the moment, but seriously, that 1:1 VF is the sweetest thing I've ever used and it's all worth it.

Kent

 

[Frank-G]

Only the 40mm frame-lines are a problem, even when I take my glasses off.