View Full Version : Bessa R & R2A
Can anyone enlighten me, in terms of user aspect, what are the difference between both? I am a R2A user currently and i love it so much...but recently got tempted to pick a Bessa R off ebay especially when the price is good!
My Bessa R is still on the way to me:) and i read that it has quite a fair bit of good reviews on it.
Now i have a problem...it seems weird to hold 2 exact frameline plus AE camera...should i just trade one off for a full mechanic camera?
pablokornfeld
06-14-2011, 05:51
If I'm not mistaken, the Bessa R is a full mechanic camera with light meter. There is no AE as in the R2A, R3A and R4A. You don't see in the finder the actual speed used, but just two led arrows and a circle to indicate over, under or correct exposure. And it is screw mount, L39, so you cannot mount M lenses on it. Otherwise they are quite similar. I used to use a R3A, beautiful camera with amazing finder 1:1 but never actually used a R or R2A, so I can be wrong.
Chriscrawfordphoto
06-14-2011, 08:25
The R2a is electronic shutter, manual or autoexposure. Uses M-mount lenses, metal construction. MUCH nicer build quality than the R. The R is mechanical shutter, manual only, plastic top and bottom plates and plastic back. Screwmount lenses. The R2 and R2M offers the features of the R2A with a mechanical shutter.
Hi, think i quoted the wrong terms, I was referring to an electronic shutter. I know R2A has it. What about bessa R? A full mechanic?
The built of Bessa R seems plastic but there seems to be alot of Demand for R..why is it so?
Chriscrawfordphoto
06-14-2011, 16:49
Hi, think i quoted the wrong terms, I was referring to an electronic shutter. I know R2A has it. What about bessa R? A full mechanic?
The built of Bessa R seems plastic but there seems to be alot of Demand for R..why is it so?
The Bessa R shutter is fully mechanical. It is poorly built compared to the R2, 2A, 2M, and the 3 and 4 series cameras, which are all metal. It is in demand because:
1) Its CHEAP used.
2) It takes screwmount lenses; The others are M-mount, so screwmount lens owners cannot use them without adapters. This isn't a big deal to me, the adapters work fine but some want to use the lenses as-is. The R allows that.
Thanks for enlightening me on it. :)
Scrambler
06-20-2011, 20:29
The Bessa R shutter is fully mechanical. It is poorly built compared to the R2, 2A, 2M, and the 3 and 4 series cameras, which are all metal. It is in demand because:
1) Its CHEAP used.
2) It takes screwmount lenses; The others are M-mount, so screwmount lens owners cannot use them without adapters. This isn't a big deal to me, the adapters work fine but some want to use the lenses as-is. The R allows that.
As a recent R buyer and user, I agree in general, but disagree on two specifics. The build is cheaper but not "poorly built." Tolerances are good, no light leaks etc. Just lighter build. Secondly, I think it's a gross slur on we poor screw thread users to suggest that we don't know the advantages of an M adapter. I have two in the drawer, taken off lenses I bought. But taking things up the price level to an M-mount camera just for the pleasure of quickly swapping my LTM lenses? I think not. With Bessa R's cheaper than even IIIc's it's a no-brainer as an LTM user.
Functional differences - manual shutter (no AE option), meter has a different response pattern that runs right to the top of the frame (metering in portrait is often better than metering in landscape) and of course LTM only.
Chriscrawfordphoto
06-20-2011, 21:55
As a recent R buyer and user, I agree in general, but disagree on two specifics. The build is cheaper but not "poorly built." Tolerances are good, no light leaks etc. Just lighter build. Secondly, I think it's a gross slur on we poor screw thread users to suggest that we don't know the advantages of an M adapter. I have two in the drawer, taken off lenses I bought. But taking things up the price level to an M-mount camera just for the pleasure of quickly swapping my LTM lenses? I think not. With Bessa R's cheaper than even IIIc's it's a no-brainer as an LTM user.
Functional differences - manual shutter (no AE option), meter has a different response pattern that runs right to the top of the frame (metering in portrait is often better than metering in landscape) and of course LTM only.
Wasn't meant as a slur. If I only owned screw lenses, I'd probably want a screwmount body just to keep it simple. I have one screw lens I use with an adapter, and it works well, but still seems less 'elegant' than using an M-mount lens on my M6. I think its cause I find it a pain to mount since the screw lenses don't have the mounting dot that helps me line up the correct place to insert the lens. Thats not needed on a screwmount body!
Guys, i received my Bessa R..and since its from the "Evil" Bay, which out of 10 purchases termed as good and working well that the seller post, 7 always turned out faulty....but im glad that this copy alone is from the balance 3/10!:)
It might be that its a new, im more inclined to use this more often than my R2A when i brought both out. I agree, it feels more light weighted...and not as robust as the R2A..but its light!
It took me a few frames before i reminded myself that i need to adjust for exposure...and its equally fast with every picture taken!
Ermm the only thing i don quite like about it, is the light meter +/- red LED light that appears on the screen..it reminded me of the yashica gsn button...plus the light is so strong i can see it from the outside...sort of penetrate thru the body..
Will post some pics tonight!
Thanks everyone!
charjohncarter
06-21-2011, 06:42
I have one I bought from the head bartender new. I use it all the time. Because it is not an expensive camera I feel a little more easy taking it to the beach, rain, or San Francisco. I have not had any problems with mine, I did put masking tape on a few parts of the covering as it seemed to be wearing. Also the case (half) I used a Domke strap. It is funny that the camera doesn't lay flat as the strap holders are in the wrong place. It is synced to 1/125 which is faster than my IIIf (1/50), this is a big advantage as it allows for fill flash with 250 ISO.
I read that there is a problem with the film advance at times, so I advance very slowly and never force at the end of a roll. You can fix this problem yourself though the bottom plate, but I haven't had to do it. The fix is someplace on the internet.
kshapero
06-21-2011, 07:01
go to the source. see : www.cameraquest.com (http://www.cameraquest.com)
Nicely done on my first roll of Agfa apx 100 w the nokton 50mm f1.5..
while i cant afford a M6/M2 for now...this camera makes me smile while using it...i'll take it as a training to learn how to manage a full mechanic camera!:)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/5856041169_00b2bf29fc_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5119/5856597302_27df002c91_z.jpg
I have one I bought from the head bartender new. I use it all the time. Because it is not an expensive camera I feel a little more easy taking it to the beach, rain, or San Francisco. I have not had any problems with mine, I did put masking tape on a few parts of the covering as it seemed to be wearing. Also the case (half) I used a Domke strap. It is funny that the camera doesn't lay flat as the strap holders are in the wrong place. It is synced to 1/125 which is faster than my IIIf (1/50), this is a big advantage as it allows for fill flash with 250 ISO.
I read that there is a problem with the film advance at times, so I advance very slowly and never force at the end of a roll. You can fix this problem yourself though the bottom plate, but I haven't had to do it. The fix is someplace on the internet.
Not forgetting the loud shutter!
charjohncarter
06-21-2011, 07:55
Not forgetting the loud shutter!
I haven't noticed, I guess I don't care.
FalseDigital
06-24-2011, 13:38
I recently bought a Bessa-R w/ Jupiter 8 off craigslist and I'm in love with mine! The meter on this thing is so accurate I'm amazed. It feels really nice to shoot with and for my hands it's incredibly comfortable to hold.
charjohncarter
06-24-2011, 16:25
I recently bought a Bessa-R w/ Jupiter 8 off craigslist and I'm in love with mine! The meter on this thing is so accurate I'm amazed. It feels really nice to shoot with and for my hands it's incredibly comfortable to hold.
I have found that my meter is not that accurate with long lenses: 90-135mm.
FalseDigital
06-24-2011, 16:45
^ I've no experience with that because I've never shot telephoto on a rangefinder and never really plan to either. So that's not a problem for me :P
umcelinho
06-24-2011, 17:28
I somethimes think of picking up a bessa-r to match with one of my ltm lenses whenever i go somewhere risky. but then again, i already do it with the M4 and the r-d1, so it'd be just GAS :)
I think the Bessa R is a sweet camera: gloriously bright vf, nice meter, lightweight but well made, sleek design, fully manual operation, and cheap: what's not to like? OK, the shutter is a little loud, but if you're not doing stealth street photography the sound won't matter. Put a CV Skopar or a vintage 35 or 50 on it, and you've got a nice, small shooting package. I'm kinda sorry I sold mine, but I'm keeping my Bessa T.
Steve - I'm still mourning my Bessa R, which I bought when it first came out (as I recall, not so cheap at the time). It served excellent duty for a year in China and two years in Africa, and then I retired it and sold it and a 35mm Pancake I for a song to a Macedonian blonde on a Ducati. Nice song, though, while it lasted.
Now I've just done it again, and traded a Bessa R2 -- unquestionably a better built, more versatile camera, but not quite as sweet as the game-changing R.
Because it is not an expensive camera I feel a little more easy taking it to the beach, rain, or San Francisco.
San Francisco is, as they say, safe as houses.
agphotography
06-27-2011, 07:02
I'll take care of the R2 Peter, don't you worry!
PS - I actually have an R in my hands right now if you want to rekindle an old flame ;) came with a lens I wanted to buy locally.
Although I must admit hearing everyone speak so fondly of the R has given me thoughts of keeping it.
I got to look through some nice Leica's on our get together in Atlanta. Way nicer & heavier build quality of those M's. Oh! I even got to hold a nice ZI, but the one thing I noticed was the vf on the Leica's wasn't as nice to me as the vf on my Bessa R. The vf on the Icon was good. I'm so content with my R that I don't even think of wanting a Leica any more. BTW I shot beside a fellow with an M9. My shutter was much quiter than his.
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