Bessa R2 Among Best 25 Cameras [Archive]

Peter

10-21-2003, 15:18

Dear Bessa R2 users, your camera has been listed in the magazine Photo Techniques as one of the top 25 cameras of the world! Best of all only 7 of the listed cameras are 35mm (the rest SLR, digital and medium format). Thus that would make the Bessa R2 as one of the top 35mm cameras! No more would Bessa R2 users be ridiculed by the ultra modern digital crowd. Long live Voigtlander!

:p

Picture Guy

10-22-2003, 08:10

I've put about five rolls through mine and it has performed flawlessly so far. (owned a month)

There have been a couple of times where the higher shutter noise (than Leica) seemed a factor.

I have found (remembered) that having a completely manual camera keeps you constantly aware of your mix of choices on ISO, f/stop, shutter speed, lens choice, depth of field.

In other words, TOTAL creative control.

edodo

04-02-2006, 22:15

I am sorry to say this, but to my eye there are a lot of good 35mm cameras above de partially plastic made R2. Just my opinion. Between I have a leitz IIIa from 1936 that is gorgeous

ClaremontPhoto

04-02-2006, 22:32

jcline

04-02-2006, 23:04

Take the battery out.

04-02-2006, 23:11

I like your avatar, Peter.

And yes, Voigtlander is deserving of praise.

jonasv

04-02-2006, 23:12

Yes, my father has a 1936 Leica too.

I actually prefer my 21st century Voigtlander because of the improved ergonomics such as lever wind, opening back and easier aperture change.

But I never use the meter, and I'd like to turn off the viewfinder display of shutter speed.

First thing I did when receiving the camera was taking the battery out. I really like my Bessa, and it was much more pleasant to use without the meter indications that would really blind my sight in dark surroundings.

ClaremontPhoto

04-02-2006, 23:13

I'm the one who chose an R3A, and it needs the battery to work the shutter. Sorry, I should have made that clearer. Great camera.

Brian Sweeney

04-03-2006, 01:12

I'm glad the Bessa R2 is getting some recognition.

I've shot one roll so far, very nice handling. The RF patch is well-defined, and finder bright and clear. The meter is just like the Nikon F2AS.

alfa

04-03-2006, 02:09

I'm not so enthusiastic at the moment about my R2.

I like working in low light conditions and the rangefinder is not so visible. It gives problems also at full aperture due to difficulties in focusing at short distances (rangefinder base isn't good as Leica as far as I read around). It's a good camera if you use it as a travel-generic street gadget but when it comes to "extreme" conditions (low light, small focusing distance) I hope Leica offers much more. This said I can't offer at the moment to Leica the money it requests for it's products so I'll stick with the R2 for a while.

pvdhaar

04-03-2006, 02:46

Anyone have a list of the 25 worse cameras of the world? Now that would make a conversation starter... ;)

Bertram2

04-03-2006, 03:07

I am sorry to say this, but to my eye there are a lot of good 35mm cameras above de partially plastic made R2. Just my opinion. Between I have a leitz IIIa from 1936 that is gorgeous

Where is the plastic at the R2 ??? :confused: Seems you talk abou something you never held in your hands ? Nonetheless you rate a 1936 III higher ?
A 60yo IIIa is a PIA to use compared to a R2, I once used one for some days, never again.
bertram

taffer

04-03-2006, 03:17

My only CV camera is a T, and I love it. I'm also happy to see the R2 getting into that list, and I see that as a recognition for the whole Bessa RF family btw. Let's face it, the RF world owes quite a big (huge?) part of its renaissence to Mr. K and his Bessa product line.

And no, I'm not on his payroll, even though I wouldn't mind getting that very special 35/1.2 Nokton in external Nikon S mount ;)

Oscar

John Robertson

04-03-2006, 11:37

Where is the plastic at the R2 ??? :confused: Seems you talk abou something you never held in your hands ? Nonetheless you rate a 1936 III higher ?
A 60yo IIIa is a PIA to use compared to a R2, I once used one for some days, never again.
bertram

Exactly, I have been involved in photography for 50+ years. I have owned
Leica II;III;IIIa;IIIf;and IIIg cameras, I sold the last of them five years ago, and whilst they could take very good photographs, the R2 (with magnesium alloy top back and base!! ) is a far nicer camera to use, especially when like myself your eyes are no longer those of a child!!! In fairness the v/f on the IIIg was an improvement, but still not as good as the R2.
However what do I know, I only use my cameras to take pictures, not as an object to fondle and admire? :rolleyes:

sockeyed

04-03-2006, 11:41

I guess that we should all rejoice that Voigtlander is releasing the R2M/R3M, which is a manual version of the R2A/R3A built on the same chassis (read better build than the original R2). I'm assuming that it works without a battery.

nihraguk

04-04-2006, 13:10

sockeyed: Yes, though its a pity that its only limited edition.

Peter

04-07-2006, 21:12

I like your avatar, Peter.

And yes, Voigtlander is deserving of praise.

Thanks shutterflower for your compliment! Voigtlander is the epitome of best value for the money!

rich815

04-08-2006, 09:16

I think this list comes out yearly no? Top 25 considered on this time? Not bad, but no big deal.

stric

04-09-2006, 20:28

I like my R2 a lot. In many ways I find it a bit easier to use and operate than my MP. It deffinitelly deserves a high prize. Now whether it should be in top 25 or not that's very subjective. In two-three years of use it performed flawlessly. I found it to be a great travel camera and it deffinitelly attracts some attention. Many people are intrigued by its olive green color and quite a few digital users found it very "strong". All in all I am selling it now simply becasue I have a MP now.

sockeyed

04-10-2006, 10:59

I'm pretty confident that Cosina will release a regular (non-special edition) R2M/R3M sometime in the next year. I just feel it in my bones.

Grober

04-14-2006, 10:53

Having sold my M4-P "back-up camera" mostly because of no meter, I was poised with finger over the "send" key to buy an R2A 'till I remembered that both my Bessa-L cameras broke. One purchased new; one used - they both had terminal problems with film transport/shutter wind. (Of course, the new one flamed out only two weeks after the 1-year warranty expired.)

So I'm saving my coins for a serious look at the Panasonic DMC-L1 whenever it becomes available in 2007.

c.poulton

04-14-2006, 11:17

Grober, why are you not considering the Epson RD1s if you are thinking of switching over to digital - isn't the DMC-L1 a dSLR? - just curious....

BTW, I love using my Bessa R3a and hope that it does not experience any of the unfortunate problems you had with the Bessa L's!

kxl

04-20-2008, 13:31

Don't have an R2, but I have an R3A, R3M and R4A, and really like all of them. The R3A gets the most use -- that and my Epson R-D1S and a handful of lenses are making me consider selling off all my DSLR gear.

januaryman

04-21-2008, 04:10

Gee, this is like the Night of the Living Dead Messages! Started 2 years ago...

Anyway, I have a plain ol' Bessa R and like it plenty, just wish it was a bit more quiet.

lZr

04-21-2008, 04:33

Peter, link me to the issue, please

Calvin

04-21-2008, 07:14

Way to go! I am proud of owning my Bessa x2

Captain

04-21-2008, 07:39

Peter, link me to the issue, please

This thread started in 2003 I think you may be a bit late.

(Why are alot of really old threads coming back to life lately, some where no body has even added to them in years?)

payasam

11-01-2009, 05:26

I asked Google for "Bessa R2", Captain, and here I am. Received, yesterday, the R2 I bought from another member. Serial number 3061, so probably fairly old, though it looks virtually unused.

I come from a Leica (M and screw) background, but I find the R2 well built for the most part. Loading a film camera without a removable take-up spool is something I shall have to re-learn. The R/F patch is also different in size and contrast and is something to get accustomed to. More than anything else, though, it is the sound of the shutter that I find alarming. That and the considerable travel of the shutter release button make me worry about longish exposures. I am accustomed to doing hand-held shots down to 1/8 sec. and even 1/4 sec. sometimes.

Juan Valdenebro

11-01-2009, 07:13

Hope you enjoy it! There are many good comments on that camera... Keep us informed of your experiences...

Cheers,

Juan

payasam

11-01-2009, 17:32

Thank you, Juan. I might post pictures if any are good. If I get only poor ones it won't be the fault of the camera.

ZeissFan

11-01-2009, 18:15

Love the Cosina Voigtlander cameras. Perhaps, the Bessa-R might crack my Top 50 list of Most Important Cameras in that it revived interest in rangefinders and created a niche in a market that had just one product at that time.

But I wouldn't name it among the Top 25 cameras of all time. Nope. Wouldn't do it.

Juan Valdenebro

11-02-2009, 00:20

I have three bessas, tough and beautiful, great metering and loading, fun, and unique design in a world level: no other brand makes anything like them: Bessa T and Bessa R4M.

They surely are in a honest 50 or 25 list.

Cheers,

Juan

Brian Sweeney

11-02-2009, 15:07

I miss Peter. And Jon, and Oscar, ... This is one of the first RFF threads, started in 2003.

I like my R2, got it used here at RFF in a trade. Works very well, so does my Cosina STL1000. The latter camera is closer to 40 years old. We'll have to revive this thread in another 20 years to see how the Bessa's hold up.