Bessa R3A with 35mm lens? Is it "possible"?

[nicolasraddatz]

I have a Bessa R3A with a 50mm Nokton. I know the R3A is fine tuned to go with a 40mm lens, but I've been recently offered a 3rd version 35mm summicron f2 at a steal. <br /><br />I wonder if it's possible to reasonably use the R3A with a 35mm lens without some sort of accesory viewfinder. Maybe the whole viewfinder window (outside 40mm framelines) is close to 35mm field of view?<br /><br />I'd love to hear your thoughts.<br /><br />Thanks

[zane1664879013]

<p>Rangefinders aren't known for precise framing anyway, so why not?</p>

[nicolasraddatz]

<p>Yeah, I know, but it would be reassuring to know that I have *something* to act as a guide of what I'm actually framing with a lens for which there's no frameline... :)<br>

I'd love to hear if anyone has actually used that combo</p>

[frank uhlig]

<p>Well, make yourself something to act like that guide, once you have the lens: take a picture of a brick wall from 3 m or such and note the corners of the frame lines beforehand and then count bricks on the film.</p>

<p>So simple it is silly, if you want that lens! You can certainly use 35 mm lenses on all rangefinders ... with a little help from yourself.</p>

[Uhooru]

<p>Yes it's not a big deal, do like Frank says if you have to absolutely need to know and can't get used to eyeballing it, and even then it's not that accurate. If it's that critical, you probably need a SLR.</p>

[Alex_Es]

<p>If exact framing is unnecessary just use the 40mm frames. You'll just get a little more, which you can crop if you dislike it.<br>

The best thing to do is to get an external finder. </p>

[graham_line]

<p>I use 35 lines for a 40 all the time on an M4P. After a roll or so, you will know the boundaries, and as Barry said, there are better ways than an RF to do precise framing.</p>

[nicolasraddatz]

<p>Thanks for your input guys. As usual, very valuable!</p>