Voigtländer Bessa R3M Review

osmeier · Apr 24, 2016

I just put up a review of the camera that first got me into photographing film.
The Voigtländer Bessa R3M. Let me know what you think.

Cheers,
Olivier

http://www.oliviermeier.com/voigtlander-bessa-r3m-a-review-by-olivier-sm/

darkosaric · Apr 24, 2016

Hi Olivier,

I see that you wrote in the review that you have M7 as well. What is the slowest shutter speed that you can use handheld in M7 and in R3M? Are they the same?

Regards,
Darko

osmeier · Apr 24, 2016

Hi Darko,

Interesting question actually. Will include that info in my review.

It's the same for both cameras really. I don't feel the weight distribution differs that much. Assuming I've got the Zeiss 50mm 1.5 C on I can reliably shoot 1/15 of a second on both. 1/8th of a second requires a wall for me to lean against.

With the Voigtländer 35mm 1.4 I can get a higher volume of keepers at 1/8th. Besides the obvious focal length reduction - it is such a tiny light lens.

Kind regards,
Olivier.

calebarchie · Apr 24, 2016

Going back to a theme I mentioned earlier…flow. I don’t really do street photography. My photography in general is primarily based around portraits, different types of scapes,travel photography, scenes or objects that I feel connected to and especially to document my life and my interactions with those around me.

So you mean typical hipster photography?

sportster44 · Apr 24, 2016

I'm curious to know how you found it shooting a 35mm lense without the framelines.

osmeier · Apr 25, 2016

calebarchie said:
So you mean typical hipster photography?

Hehehe. I'm more of a geek than a hipster. I simply cannot rock no socks and suspenders.

osmeier · Apr 25, 2016

sportster44 said:
I'm curious to know how you found it shooting a 35mm lense without the framelines.

To be honest, it wasn't that much of a limitation for me having come from DSLRs before. I wasn't used to Rangefinder type framelines. More or less I treated the entire viewfinder as the frame for 35 mm and felt I could do so without it impacting my shooting style too much.

Nowadays I do enjoy the added space around the frame lines, (when I've got a 50mm) on it, but it's rare that I wait for someone to walk into a scene and if I am in that situation, I am generally okay if I didn't have the preview before the subject enters my frame.

How do you generally use framelines where you can see scene outside of the frame?

darkosaric · Apr 27, 2016

osmeier said:
It's the same for both cameras really. I don't feel the weight distribution differs that much. Assuming I've got the Zeiss 50mm 1.5 C on I can reliably shoot 1/15 of a second on both. 1/8th of a second requires a wall for me to lean against.

Thanks for the info. I was thinking about different shutters (horizontal cloth vs. vertical metal): somebody once told me that with Bessa's vertical metal shutter you get more vibrations that are visible in the lower shutter speeds.

Ko.Fe. · Apr 27, 2016

Good review to be in rangefinder sub-forum
I have question. After all of this trips, how is camera exterior? I get rid off L and R, because they don't have Leica or even FSU RFs quality of exterior materials, finish.

mnemosyne · Apr 27, 2016

darkosaric said:
Hi Olivier,
I see that you wrote in the review that you have M7 as well. What is the slowest shutter speed that you can use handheld in M7 and in R3M? Are they the same?
Regards,
Darko

My personal experience differs a bit from that of Olivier. I find the Ms through their added weight and different balance lie substantially better in my hands than the R3M and R2m did. I probably do not have the steadiest of hands, but I have some pics taken with my M2 and a 50mm lens at 1/8 s (leaning on some kind of support) that are reasonably sharp at 12x16". I found this simply not doable with the R3A or R2A. 1/30 was maximum for 50mm lens.

mnemosyne · Apr 27, 2016

Ko.Fe. said:
Good review to be in rangefinder sub-forum
I have question. After all of this trips, how is camera exterior? I get rid off L and R, because they don't have Leica or even FSU RFs quality of exterior materials, finish.

If finish, quality of materials and tactile feeling is important for you, there is probably no substitute for a classic M. That being said, I found the R2A/R3A to overall have a nice finish. Much better than the very plasticky feel of the Bessa L that I have currently (and which is not really an engineering masterpiece...)

osmeier · Apr 27, 2016

darkosaric said:
Thanks for the info. I was thinking about different shutters (horizontal cloth vs. vertical metal): somebody once told me that with Bessa's vertical metal shutter you get more vibrations that are visible in the lower shutter speeds.

So I've triggered the shutter multiple times on both cameras. Both at 1/1000s.

The shutter on the Bessa is louder and more metallic sounding. The shutter on M7 is definitely a little bit more subtle. Now I am not certain if the volume adds to the perception or not, but I would say that the M7's shutter feels as if it produces less vibration through the camera. However I am writing of a difference that is very minute.

osmeier · Apr 27, 2016

Ko.Fe. said:
Good review to be in rangefinder sub-forum
I have question. After all of this trips, how is camera exterior? I get rid off L and R, because they don't have Leica or even FSU RFs quality of exterior materials, finish.

Am I allowed to duplicate posts in other forums? Not certain if the rules are that specific...and I like it here.

mnemosyne said:
If finish, quality of materials and tactile feeling is important for you, there is probably no substitute for a classic M. That being said, I found the R2A/R3A to overall have a nice finish. Much better than the very plasticky feel of the Bessa L that I have currently (and which is not really an engineering masterpiece...)

I would have to agree with mnemosyne here. Make no mistake the R3M is a quality piece of kit and uses very good material. If you want to nitpick, you could perhaps point at the plastic filmdoor or the rubber texture. I love its design and feel in my hands.

However the Leica raises the bar. It's design is sleeker, its less cluttered than the R3M, which already isn't very cluttered. It shines in all the right places and there's no question that you are holding a camera made of very high quality which Leica may not necessarily have sourced from the cheapest bidder. Is it worth the increase in cost, that truly depends on the type of shooter you are (and probably which side of your brain you use more). I personally would pick the M7 over the R3M if I had the budget for it.

Huss · Apr 27, 2016

I had a R3A at the same time as my M7. I could shoot the M7 at about one speed lower given equivalent focal lengths than the Bessa, as the Bessa does have a sharper shutter.
I sold the Bessa as I wasn't using it anymore. But it is a stunning deal at about $400 compared to the much much more I paid for the M7 (both used).

Ko.Fe. · Apr 27, 2016

Thank you!
I think M7 is R3A and M6 is R3M. I also can't afford M7, nor I need M6

Voigtländer Bessa R3M Review

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