Some of you might already know that I ain’t one who can use a rangefinder camera properly. Blame my old fuzzy eyeballs … I usually have problem focusing with that little patch in the viewfinder. Hahaha! I’ve tried several rangefinders (without film in them) and concluded that I might go blind if I ever finish shooting 36 frames in one. Recently a friend passed me his Bessa R2A and told me to give it a try. I knew it will be quite a challenge but for the fun (and pain) of it … I agreed. He told me that I can buy it from him if I like it. Damn. I was worried and I am still worried.
Loaded the camera with a roll of Kentmere 400 black & white film and struggled for some weeks before I managed to finish the roll. I’ve not use this film before … so this is also my test roll (of the film) since I bought them during my last visit to Tokyo. The cam came with a Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 SC lens and I was told that the SC (single coated) lenses will produce more dreamy feel to the photos (sometimes). Hmm.
Honestly … I think it isn’t that bad (using the RF). Maybe it was because of the larger viewfinder/patch that made it eaiser for me. Finally got the roll developed and I’m pretty convinced that I might be able to focus properly if i try (and not go blind).
Fired the shutter before I focused. LOL! Somehow I love this. Guess old habits (of loving blurred photos) die hard!
So do I like the cam? Honestly I quite like it. Hahaha! The focusing might drive me blind someday but so far I like the pretty solid feel of the camera … but … but … I’m pretty broke at the moment. Grrrr!
looks pretty good 🙂 i remeber you grabbing those films off the shelf 🙂 looks pretty soft huh.
bessa 🙂 hmm. sounds like you need a leica more.
Nice try on your first roll on RF, its the same feeling when I got my first RF camera. 🙂 I guess SLR has more precise focusing, but for RF, there is less guesswork ala “Yes, no, yes no”, focus seems faster even.
Enjoy!
Good job! Love that blur picture of Fitzand~ I guess like Shawn said, it’s a bit of guess work when it comes to RF. Some landscapes are just too difficult to focus properly as you can’t see the merging images during focusing. But I guess it is also part of the fun of a RF, just like Lomo. Don’t think, just shoot. =)
@Mijonju : Yeah! You have good memory! Hahaha! You probably thought I’ll be grabbing a trolley full of films that evening. Right? 😛 Yeah the photos have a ‘glowy’ feel to them. Not sure if it is the SC lens or the film. I read that the SC ones gives this feel and is preferred by some people. A Leica? Hahahaha! I’ll go buy lottery this weekend and see how it goes.
@Shawn : Thanks. Yeah I guess it will take some getting used to. So far so good.
@kaxdd : Thanks. I’ve just touched the tip of the RF fun and yet to decide if it is fun enough. Haha!
Hahaha~ I touched it already a few months back. It has been fun shooting UWA with my 21mm. Just gotten myself a 50/1.5. Will be testing the lens’ thin DOF soon once I finish all my lab work in about a month’s time. Hahaha~
@kaxdd : Whoa! A 21mm will be great for street photography!
Yes! But I haven’t got the time to go onto the streets! It’s my final month in the lab! Rushing like a mad scientist! But I do hope to bring my cameras out more often once my studies is finished in November…
@kaxdd : wah which 50mm f1.5? The nokton, canon, Jupiter 3 or czj?
@Shawn: Mine is the Nokton LTM. =)
@kaxdd : Yummy lens eh?!
Looks yummy! But haven’t tried it out yet… Such a shame… =(
Truly admire your effort in photography….can always squeeze time for it….
the nokton 0.95 sold out~~ ha.
n2: maybe you just needa learn hyper and zone focusing? 🙂
whack oni~
No $$$ to buy Nokton 0.95!!! I need sponsors!
wah wah now spread RF poison into here too? 😀
the single coated lens for the 40mm and the 35mm 1.4 does really gives a more ‘dreamy’ look. more visible in black&white for my eyes. try hyper-focus for the next roll, FUN!!
Hahaha~ I guess all cameras cannot escape the grip of ndroo!
@Jer : I am sure you can also squeeze in some photo fun in your busy schedule. What would life be if we can’t trip the shutter?
@saklas : Sold out? Whoa! Hot item!!! Yeah I’d love to try zone focusing with a RF someday.
@shunzi : Nah. Worry not. I ain’t that much in to RF. Just playing around.
@kaxdd : There are tons of cams that escaped my grip … or should I say … ‘not within my grip’. LOL
Love the stairs shot!
@killyrbf : Thanks 🙂
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