>>3192726>I don't even find the m3 bad for super wideSame. I used the 15mm Voigtlander for a while, and just left it set at the hyperfocal distance. No need to focus.
>>3192761The pre-M finders don't come anywhere close to any of the M-series. The M3 has the largest and brightest of all the Leica finders, at the cost of wider framelines and sometimes a slight yellowish hue. The Voigtlander 1:1 finder is slightly better and is probably the best finder ever put in a 35mm camera.
>>3192843>How would you compare the R2A with your Leicas?For all practical purposes it's as good as Leica, but lacks refinement. The finder is superb, but you have to select framelines manually. The modern-style film loading is nice. It has an electronically timed shutter, but it's a little louder and the battery life isn't great. The build quality is good (far better than most digital cameras today), but nowhere close to Leica. The rangefinder base length is too short for use with lenses over 100mm, but that's not really what rangefinders are for anyway. Overall I'd say it depends on what you're looking for. If you just want a good practical rangefinder camera, I'd highly recommend it. But if you want Leica ergonomics and finish, you won't find them in the R2a.
I don't own a Zeiss Ikon, but I've played with one quite a bit and I think it resolves most of the issues with Bessa series. They're also made by Cosina and use the same excellent finder, but with an effective base length comparable to Leica. The build quality is better, framelines are automatic, and the in-finder meter display is better. The ergonomics are also improved, but still not quite on par with Leica. Despite the blocky and somewhat awkward appearance, the Ikon is definitely worth considering if you're looking for an AE film rangefinder.
