[Leica] BESSA R3A or M7

[jgovindaraj at eth.net (Jayanand Govindaraj)]

I disagree - I have a Nikon F, F2AS & F3, as well as an F100 and D70 - the 
only one where battery is a major issue is the D70 as it is proprietary. The 
F & F2 dont require batteries to function . Carrying a spare set of 
batteries (or many) for the F3 is not an issue, and I cant imagine AA cells 
for the F100 not being available anywhere in the world where you would use a 
rangefinder. All the F series cameras are at least as well made as the 
Leicas I have seen, take incredible abuse without anything happening to 
them. A CLA once in 10-15 years is all it requires to keep in excellent 
working order.  I am just starting to use rangefinders, and find it 
problematic to use intutively, but it will come with time and practice. I 
love using precision made cameras, and for that reason alone I can see why 
buying an M6 or M7 would give pleasure over a Bessa R3A, but not on 
functionality or value.
Cheers
Jayanand Govindaraj
Chennai, India

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeffery Smith" <jefferys@gmail.com>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org>
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] BESSA R3A or M7


> The people here have Leicas and other cameras. Part of the resistance
> to autoexposure is having a camera that will die when the batteries
> die. And part of the resistance to newer Leicas is that, with each new
> model after the M3, the quality and workmanship did not keep up with
> the M3 (which is sort of the ultimate although I think the MP is
> probably at least as good).
>
> I have 3 Nikons and Nikkormats from the 1970s and all three broke down
> under light usage. They were the lower end (EL, EL2, etc.) but the
> durability is nowhere near Leica standards.
>
> Like comparing a Rolex to a Timex. Both work, but one works much
> longer and doesn't need a battery. :-)
>