Bessa R Review

[lars]

Background:
I've owned this camera since new, starting around spring 2003, so I've had it for btwn 6 and 12 mos.

Appearance:
Aesthetically, this camera is lacking, due to its plastic exterior which doesn't compare well with the plastic (polycarbonate) bodies used on high end SLRs.

Handling:
My biggest complaint with the Bessa R is the fact that its strap lugs are positioned such that the camera doesn't hang straight up and down unless you're using a heavy lens. So, with most 35 or 50 lenses, the camera body hangs at an angle, with its bottom protruding further forward than its top. This makes it somewhat uncomfortable to hang around your neck or shoulder.

The LED meter display is very easy to see (and probably more robust than a mechanical needle). It can display 1/2 stop under- or over-exposure. The meter has proven to be accurate once you know the pattern (centre-weighted, with an unusual pattern that is quite tall).

Shutter release is very precise. Press half-way down activates the meter and finding the half-way point is very easy. You'd have to be quite ham-fisted to accidentally go too far and release the shutter. Shutter noise is quiet (maybe not Leica-quiet but certainly not loud) and is quieter than any SLR I've used. At speeds below 1/60 or so, the noise is a bit louder because you can now distinctly hear TWO shutters in action, the inner and the outer. At these speeds, the loudness is more on par with the Olympus OM series of SLRs (known for being a quiet SLR). One other thing: the shutter release is threaded for a cable release. This is a great thing to have and it's a pity that so many modern cameras do not support these simple, inexpensive, but very useful devices.

The film advance feels ok. The only niggle is that you can't use multiple strokes to wind the film. It's single-stroke only. And if you reach the end of your roll mid-stroke, the advance lever stays where it is until you rewind the film. Only then can you finish the stroke.

The self-timer is, like everything else on the camera except for the meter, purely mechanical. It feels cheap but it works just fine.

Focussing is very easy, thanks to the bright viewfinder. Eye placement is important or else you could loose sight of the focusing patch. The base length of the rangefinder is, in my opinion, a bit too short. Close focusing, even with a modest telephoto length such as the 75/2.5 lens, is a hit and miss affair that requires great care and bright light. I assume that Cosina went with this short base length due to limitations imposed by the SLR chassis on which this camera is built.

The camera weighs less than the metal SLRs of yesteryear, and it heavier than the low-end plastic SLRs of today.

Performance:
It's a mechanical camera (except for the meter) so there isn't much to talk about with respect to performance. The camera works just fine. The meter is accurate, as is the focussing and shutter speeds.

Reliability:
Although some Bessa R's were reported to have vertical misalignment problems with the rangefinder, mine was perfect. Although I've had mine for only less than a year, I have carried it almost every day and it has performed without a hitch.

Evaluation:
Performance-wise, aside from its bright viewfinder, there is nothing in the Bessa's feature set that makes it desirable from an engineering point of view. It is merely a basic rangefinder that works well. It has some annoyances but none of them impact the functionality of the camera or noticeably obstruct the photographer's creative process. This sounds like a backhanded compliment but it's not. When you put the Bessa R into its chronological context, it gains a certain significance. In 2004, the ONLY manual rangefinder you can buy NEW for an AFFORDABLE price (generally speaking) is the Bessa R (and its siblings). Then consider that it also has a built-in meter and accepts a huge variety of Leica screw mount lenses. Its under USD$300 (North American price) price gives it a significant price/performance ratio that other camera manufacturers cannot beat.

So if you're looking for a new, affordable "user" rangefinder that gives you those features that most serious photographers require (manual focus, manual aperture control, manual shutter control, manual film advance, interchangeable lenses), the Bessa R is the obvious choice.

[SolaresLarrave]

I rated this camera a 5 mostly because of its value. I don't have one, but having handled one in a camera shop led me to rangefinders, so I must credit the little gizmo for such a life-altering choice... :)

[taffer]

Lars that's a great review! Have seen a couple of them and also of the R2 after some visits to the camera store. You're right that they look a bit cheap but sometimes this is not a reference of the final product quality...

Going for $249 at cameraquest I think these ones must be selling like hot cakes, they are sold here for... (sit please)

735 EUR

in fact more expensive than its younger sister the R2... and I think that is without lens... :confused:

[rover]

I agree, you are right on Lars. I would caution though that if someone is interested, don't be turned off by the reviews saying that this is a cheaply built camera. "Plastic" yes, but the construction isn't as bad as that seems. Find one to handle and make up your own mind. I got an ever ready case for mine, and it looks and feels very nice indeed when sitting in the bottom half of the case.

[Doug]

Thanks, Larry, for the interesting review! I have the L model, even "cheaper" and odd looking without even a viewfinder. But it works just fine!

On your comment about hitting the end of the roll while winding, leaving the wind lever stuck out... If you at that point press the rewind button, you can finish the wind stroke and "park" the lever before rewinding.

[lars]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback on the review. I just edited the Evaluation section because I felt it was a bit ambling so I made it more pointed.

Originally posted by rover
I agree, you are right on Lars. I would caution though that if someone is interested, don't be turned off by the reviews saying that this is a cheaply built camera. "Plastic" yes, but the construction isn't as bad as that seems.

Yes, I agree. While I have a fondness for the all metal cameras that I grew up with, I can honestly say that my polycarbonate "plastic" SLRs have been plenty reliable. In fact, my plastic Minolta 7xi lasted longer than my first Olympus OM1 (all metal). Plastic does not equate with poor durability.


...lars

[back alley]

after all this time living with plastic it's amazing how many people still don't like it.
i too have had plastic in my life in all forms ans it does not mean that build quality or reliability is missing.

on the other hand, i do like the feel of my all metal 60/70's rangefinders.

joe

[BillG]

Bessar R viewfinder, bright, clear, easy to use (bifocal wearer here). I like the switch to change framelines. I detect no slumming in the construction feel. I have used it with a CV 35 classic f2.5 lens, a CV Nokton f1,5 lens, and a Jupiter 9 85mm f2 lens. I am considering buying a second one from Cameraquest. I would not hesitate in recommending it to any friend interested in rangefinder cameras.

My other rangefinders include a Yashica Lynx 14e, Konica Auto S2 (great lens), Kiev 4 (third one bought works with almost all speeds), Leica IIIf, CV Bessa T101.

I began my rangefinder experience back when the Yashica Electro 35 GT was quite new.

I am considering buying a CV 28 1.9 lens or a CV 35 1.7, but I must confess to being chilled in buying any new film camera gear with the changes at AGFA and ILFORD.

[GeneW]

It was Mike Elek's (ZeissFan) great writeup on the Bessa R that got me going on RF's again.

http://host.fptoday.com/melek/bessa-r.html

I had been sliding into an all-digital state except for my XA, Rollei and OM-1's but the looks of this camera, along with Mike's enthusiasm, and the fact that it didn't cost like a Leica really grabbed my fancy.

I ended up acquiring a good Leica CL instead, but it was the Bessa R, which I never owned, that got me back in the RF game.

I've subsequently sold the lovely CL (which I found a bit too small for my hands) and have an R2 on the way. It feels like I've come (almost) full circle ...

Gene

[back alley]

whatever happened to lars?

bill g, welcome to the forum! you've ressurected an old post i see. yes the bessa r, my only interchangable lens camera at the moment.
the r is a great camera and i tire so of it's endless comparison to leica. at almost 5 x the price, the modern leica is poorly sealed and as prone to repair as many cameras, if not more than the bessa. some of the stories about it are amazing when you consider the cost and the myth/legend behind them.

oh my, i better go upstairs and pour my first coffee for the day.

[bmattock]

I have to agree with Joe - the Bessa R is fantastic - my first choice when I reach for a camera more often than not.

I've never had an issue with the polycarbonate body - in fact I find it quite acceptable. It does not feel flimsy to me, and in use it has been durable - no problems at all.

Welcome to RFF - and Joe, get that coffee into you! You were posting at 3 a.m., dude! I hope that your Canon P arrives today - we can't take the pressure anymore!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

[back alley]

good morning bill!

i think that must have been 1 a.m., my time.

yeah, i can't sleep more than 6 hours at a time, kinda sad really.
oh, i'm finished the first cup and not feeling nearly as owly.

and yes, i really hope the canon p shows today but i'm not feeling overly optomistic.

joe

[BillG]

look forward to hearing about that Canon P.....

great forum, glad I found it.

regards
Bill

[lars]

Originally posted by backalley photo
whatever happened to lars?

*sniff* It's nice to be remembered.

Well, I'll just come out and say it...for the past several months, I've been having a rather tawdry affair with a Minolta A1 digital camera. My main reason for going digital was to keep up with my weekly PAW (photo-a-week) commitment. It was getting expensive shooting that often, plus I never had enough free time to regularly get into the darkroom to do b/w processing.

I've been uploading my digital files to a lab for printing and have been quite happy with the results. However, I missed b/w quite a bit and although those Fuji Frontiers can do b/w, it often takes a second try before the operator removes the colour cast and/or doesn't blow out the highlights.

With the recent price drop of the HP7960 (CAD$199), I bought my very first photo three days ago. This printer is renowned for its true b/w output without using specialty inks and I gotta say, I am a believer. So now I can do b/w printing at home (my darkroom is in my Mom's house), in the daylight, even if I'm taking care of my infant son.

And that has got me looking at my Bessa R wistfully. I've got several rolls of Superia Xtra 800 and 400 leftover from my January vacation so I think I'll start shooting film again. The C41 film scans much better than my Tri-X and HP5, and I can convert to b/w quite nicely using the Channel Mixer in Photoshop, which also allows me to tweak the image to emulate filters (ie: darken the greens, achieve a pseudo infrared effect). And from there, I can print true b/w with the HP7960. As a test, I converted this shot (Reala 100) and printed it and the results were fantastic:

http://tinyurl.com/3scmj


The local photo-specialty lab will charge $4/roll for developing and an index print (normally $11 for a 36 exp roll with prints) so I can reduce costs that way.

The A1 will be used for snapshots and is now my daily carry camera. The Bessa will now be reserved for when I'm on a photo outing.

So that's the long answer to "whatever happened to lars?"


...lars

[rover]

Good to hear from you lars...good to hear that you have been out shooting.

That is a remarkable image, I can imagine that a PAW project could be demanding. I have considered it, and realize that shooting constantly is important, I may look at mine (if I do it) as a "Post a week" which will allow my some wiggle room to shoot, process and post and image without holding to a strick post what you shoot each week.

[ZeissFan]

EDIT: This is the new URL for my Bessa-R review:

http://elekm.net/bessa-r/


I had my flirtation with digital in 1996 with the 0.3MP Epson Photo PC 500. Nice camera, and pictures were great, as long as you didn't go beyond 480 x 320.

Then it was on to a Nikon CoolPix 700. Still have that camera. Slow autofocus and chromatic aberration galore. Eventually picked up an inexpensive CoolPix 950 -- which no longer works in shutter- or aperture-priority.

Last year, it was a Sony Mavica CD500. Good camera, but s-l-o-w writing to disk.

And that's the end. Not interested in a digital SLR, because I don't want to shell out $1,000 or more for temporary technology. You just know that thing is going to be obsolete in 18 months.

So, these days, it's Zeiss-Ikon or the highway ... whatever that means.

[taffer]

Yes really good to hear from you here Lars ! :) I've been more or less following your PAW trough the micapeak list though.

And you also introduced me to the PAW concept and I'm really happy that happened as at least in my case that changed my view of photography :D

Hope you'll join as well Rover !

[lars]

Originally posted by ZeissFan
And that's the end. Not interested in a digital SLR, because I don't want to shell out $1,000 or more for temporary technology. You just know that thing is going to be obsolete in 18 months.

Although I understand your point about new digicams being huge improvements over past digicams, as long as you bought the old ones to do a particular task, they will continue to be useful. My first digicam was an Epson 850Z (about 2.1MP) that I bought about 3 years ago to shoot illustrative photos for articles on my 4x4 website. It still serves that purpose admirably. Even though I have a much more competent A1, I still use the Epson for the role for which it was originally purchased.

And after I buy a digital SLR, I will continue to use my A1 for general photography and possibly travel photography because of its small size and light weight. 5MP is plenty for me because I have only ever printed beyond 8x10 perhaps six times in my life. Its AF and buffer speed may be improved in later models, and I might upgrade then, but that's similar to film cameras, where advances in AF, metering, and control layout enticed me to upgrade.


So, these days, it's Zeiss-Ikon or the highway ... whatever that means.
I certainly understand the allure of a simple but finely made camera. That's why I still have my Bessa R, as well as some heavy Nikon F's.

...lars

[lars]

Originally posted by rover
Good to hear from you lars...good to hear that you have been out shooting.

Thanks. Nice to talk to you guys again, too.

That is a remarkable image,
Thanks.
I can imagine that a PAW project could be demanding. I have considered it, and realize that shooting constantly is important, I may look at mine (if I do it) as a "Post a week" which will allow my some wiggle room to shoot, process and post and image without holding to a strick post what you shoot each week.
As I posted in the PAW mailing list which some of you may have read, I have found the PAW project to be of immense value. My wife commented that my photos from our past two holidays are noticeably better than before, and I attribute that to my PAW. Thinking about a photo every week forces me to think about photography constantly. That means I read a lot of photography books and am always evaluating scenes for their compositional possibilities. I'm by no means a professional-calibre photographer but I have most definitely improved my eye. I have also learned to stop taking a lot of weak snapshots that I would have normally taken in the past.



Originally posted by taffer
Yes really good to hear from you here Lars ! :) I've been more or less following your PAW trough the micapeak list though.

And you also introduced me to the PAW concept and I'm really happy that happened as at least in my case that changed my view of photography :D

That list provides lots of great inspiration, as do the theme contests on this site.

...lars

[GeneW]

The PAW idea tempts me. Lars, did you say there's a PAW mailing list? Is there a URL that tells how to join?

Gene

[RML]

I've been tempted to go digital AND start a PAW.

The digital is on hold as I just can't get used to all those fiddly buttons, tons of menus, and IMO hardly ergonomic designs. Plus I don't have hundreds of dollars to spare (I just got a 220 euro bill for the CLA of my M2). And because I feel much more comfortable nowadays with RF cameras than with SLR's, I'm definitely waiting for the R-D1 coming to Europe and/or dropping in price.

I didn't start a PAW (yet) because I'm just too frikkin lazy to do any HTML/ upload/ any internet related work. It simply bores the heck out of my skull. For now I'll stick with shooting (almost) every day, and especially in the weekends, without having the films developed immediately, scan them, tweak them in PSP, and post them. I like my shots to marinade for a while. The wait makes me more critical of my work but the shots I like seem more tasty. :)

Besides, I don't know if I could limit myself to selecting just 1(!) shot from the 5-7 rolls I shoot per week. I would more likely end up with 1 shot per roll for the PAW, making it more a Photo A Roll than a Photo A Week. :)
Selecting 1 shot from a roll is getting more and more dificult since I started shooting RF. It seems that the number of keepers is increasing steadily. In my SLR days I did some nice work, and checking them out now and then I find some really nice shots, but still it seems the average number of keepers is lower than those shot with RF. I'm still as trigger happy as I was in my SLR days but perhaps the all manual RF has made me more aware of what I'm doing.

Anyway, philosophy aside, though I'm interested in both, for me for now both digital and a PAW are long term projects.

[Richard Black]

It must be my age, but I really like the R. It is light, compact, and easy to use. I began serious photography with a Yashica SLR, 60's model, and it was HEAVY. I have several Minolta SLRs and other metal rangefinders, including a neat Leica IIIC, but when I go out I take the R and the Color-Skopar 28mm or Jupiter 8/3 and am a happy camper. The whole kit weighs very little and the photos are superb. I gave it a 5 and best yet I would buy it again. The plastic used is not a drawback. Look on ebay at the number of classic Leicas that have dents and dings. I treat my cameras respectfully, and I am not casting aspersion on others, and therefore I expect they won't be dented. Weight is critical and the R is ideal.

[chug]

I just got my Bessa R yesterday and it is working wonders. Ive yet to finish my first propper roll of film tho. But I might run another one over the weekend and see what I get from both. The camera is lighter than the R2 than thought it would. Weight is not much of a problem as I have the side grip which adds a little bit. When the film is in propperly it winds smoothly and the light meter works a charm :) They are on special down here in Australia, so I got mine for A$875 (lense and body). I dont like the chrome colours, so I got it in black. Very nice :)

[rover]

Love at first sight. The Bessa R is a nice machine.

Speaking of love, how about the dancing screaming arm waving brown thing up there. I kinda like that. Where do you guys find all those interesting things?

Welcome to the group chug.

[back alley]

welcome oh great brown moving one!

seems our compliment from oz grows weekly.

i too have an r with a couple of lenses. small, light easy to use...what's not to like?

joe

[chug]

The brown moving thing is a Domokun. Some sort of Japanse TV thing I think, found it on some avatar webpages :)

Cheers for the welcome!

[tedwhite]

A comment about plastic bodied cameras and their durability. I don't like them either. Having said that, the two Maxxum 7000 AF bodies I bought new in 1985 were working as good as new last month when I sold the system. Gave one body w/50/1.8 to my daughter in Chicago, who says it works just fine. There was something about AF I never liked. Too quick, too easy. Somehow - at least in my case - it circumvented the thoughtful, creative, composition process.

That's probably an illogical statement vulnerable to attack, but that's how I felt.

Ted

[Richard Black]

Ted,
I haven't had any trouble with plastic bodied cameras either. I find them to be a modern version of the all metal ones I still have. I like the light weight and the fact they don't ding so easily. However, they don't have the same feel the all metal ones do. OT, I find I use my af Minolta most frequently when I shoot pictures of my young grandsons. They move too fast for me to try to focus and adjust the lens correctly. I've been taking pictures since the 50's and this might account for my slowing down a bit with age. For the more static photos I use these wonderful rangefinders and other "slower" focusing cameras. No flames here. ;)

[Fedzilla_Bob]

You know.. I handed my bessa to my wife followed by the FED 2. She said she felt the FED 2 was too heavy.

I love them both. They both feel solid compared to my Canon G2 digital thingie, which gets scarred easily.

The Bessa is just plain fun to carry around with a J8 or Industar 61 attached. I put it in the sling bag I had for the G2 and it goes where I do. I have yet to go downtown with it. It is very inconspicuos compared to all my cameras. Even the FED.

I am very happy with the R and how well it mates with my Russian lenses. See below.

[kiev4a]

Ted,
I haven't had any trouble with plastic bodied cameras either. I find them to be a modern version of the all metal ones I still have. I like the light weight and the fact they don't ding so easily. However, they don't have the same feel the all metal ones do. OT, I find I use my af Minolta most frequently when I shoot pictures of my young grandsons. They move too fast for me to try to focus and adjust the lens correctly. I've been taking pictures since the 50's and this might account for my slowing down a bit with age. For the more static photos I use these wonderful rangefinders and other "slower" focusing cameras. No flames here. ;)


Like you I started shooting in the fifties. The older I get, the harder it is to shoot at slow shutter speeds with the modern, lightweight cameras. Then there's the focus. I still prefer manual focus......but I have a two-year-old granddaughter. By the time I get her tuned in with a manual focus camera, she's off to another point of the compass. That's the primary reason my collection includes Nikon F100. It has enough weight for me to hold it steady at slower speeds while the AF gets things sharp.

I've got nothing against the plastic cameras. They just don't suit my tastes. Besides, a whack violent enough to make a noticible dent in a 1950s or '60s rf quite likekly give the electronic brains in modern plastic rangefinders a concussion--even if things look fine on the exterior.

[Solinar]

This is a really an old thread. Thank you Lars, where ever you are.

The C/V Bessa line up is definitely not a mass market succcess and never was supposed to be. They do fill a void in a photo market that has become an electronic wonderland. I'm sure at some future point of time, budding amateaur photographers will be wishing that more were made.

I have a black Bessa R. With regards to the build quality, it's 1980's heritage really shows through. I personally don't mind the plastic top and bottom covers, but the twisty rear door is not a confidence booster. It makes me wonder what other second and third tier compromises were made.

Still the Bessa R has made its mark in a niche that more or less disappeared decades ago. If nothing else, the Bessa R and to a lesser degree the Bessa T paved the way for the R2, R2a, R3a and RD-1. Let's hope that sales stay up so that Cosina is able to keep building them.

[tedwhite]

San Diego Bob:

I am pleased that you are pleased with those Russian lenses. I just got on attaboy a Jupiter 8 from ruscamera. Should be here in another week. It was described as "mint." I figured it was cheaper than a Nokton. Now I've got the cs35/2.5, cs25/4 (bought an "L" to go with it) and a russian 50/2.0. If I like the J-8 I might take a chance on a longer russian lens, but I don't know, at this point, which are the good ones.

Ted

[Fedzilla_Bob]

In 2 weeks or so I will have a Jupiter 9. Already ordered a lens hood for it this morning I have been following another thread under the bessa forums about the 9 with a Bessa. The combo seems to have a few adherants at RFF.

I hope to go downtown with it and capture the faces of everyday people and street performers. It won't be quite as inconspicuous as the current J8 Bessa combo. But I will be able to get a close in and personal feel from a shot with the medium length tele.

[tedwhite]

Andrew: I know this thread is old, but for some reason I was perusing it just now and noticed your comment about the twisty rear door. As I happened to be between rolls, I checked the door. Mine seems not at all twisty. Maybe I'm not "doing the twist" right?

Ted

[cbass]

My Bessa R arrived from CameraQuest yesterday. Delivery from California to Boston took only three business days. Mr. Gandy is serious about shipping quickly...many thanks to him!

I have not had time to shoot my test roll yet so what follows are my initial "out of the box" impressions. Please bear in mind that this is the first new camera I have ever bought and my other RFs are well-used FSU cams, an Argus C-3 and a Japanese fixed-lens.

The Bessa is heavier than I thought it would be. Weight with lens compares with my FED-2. The two cameras are also similar in size, with the Bessa being a bit taller and the FED being a bit wider (see photos). The Bessa does NOT give the impression that it is flimsy or built from sub-standard materials. The plastic top and bottom plates seem plenty sturdy, as does the plastic film door. The Bessa is much better built than the Minolta HTsi SLR I once owned but probably not as robust as my 1979 Minolta XG-9 SLR. Still, the build quality of the Bessa does not give me pause.

The Bessa controls all work fluidly. Film advance is very nice and the shutter has a discernible two-stage release (meter, release). Frame selector switch is also very well done and fits nicely in the shadow of the hot shoe. The rewind lever is easy to manipulate once it is extracted from its nesting groove (easier to do if you hold the camera uspide down). One thing I have not seen mentioned anywhere is that the rewind axle has a tiny red dot on its end cap. This dot will rotate to show you if the film is properly tensioned. Nice touch. My only complaints in the controls area are that the self-timer lever feels a bit cheesy and the shutter speed dial is tough to turn using only a fingertip. I'm sure I'll adapt to the latter. Overall, the camera fits the hand well and is easy to hold one-handed thanks the little thumb grip on the film door.

To my ears the shutter is fairly quiet compared to my other cameras. Louder than my Hi-Matic RF but much quieter than my SLR. I guess it's about the same as the FED-2, meaning it's fairly quiet. I would not hesitate to use the Bessa in an environment such as a museum or church. My 6 month-old nephew is coming for a visit next month; I will see if the shutter sound is capable of waking him.

Oh, that viewfinder...HOLY SMOKES! The Bessa RF/VF window is by far the brightest I've ever seen. I cannot stress this enough. It absolutely blows away any other RF/VF I've used. It's very, very easy to focus quickly. I wear glasses and the 35mm framelines are about 95% visible to me. The 50mm framelines are a full-on revelation and I can't wait to put my J-8 on the Bessa. The meter indicators are very bright and easily visible, too. The VF/RF alone is probably worth the price of the camera!

I also bought the 35/2.5 Classic and the lens is really well done. It has a very quality "feel" to it and the fit & finish are excellent. Very short throw (45 degrees?) from close-focus to infinity. The focus lever is easy to use. Half-stops from 2.5 to 22 and a 10-blade (?) aperture. This lens gives me every reason to expect good results. Also, the metal lens cap is really well executed and is a nice touch. I hope I don't lose it!

So far, I'm very pleased with my decision to buy the Bessa. Of course, the proof is in the pictures so I'll be back with an update after I've finished the test roll. If you are hesitating about buying a Bessa because of build-quality doubts, rest assured that you are worrying for nothing.

Enclosed a couple of pics showing the Bessa and the FED-2 for general size comparison.

[BJ Bignell]

I voted on this poll some time ago, back after I had received my R but before I had really used it. It's been five months now, so maybe I can make some comments...

Likes: Size and weight; quiet shutter (not as quiet as a new MP, but quiet enough); excellent metering; the viewfinder is so bright; and it's a durable camera (see ** below). I also like that it has strap lugs. Most cameras made today do have lugs, but because I've got so many oldies that don't have strap lugs, it seems like a luxury.

Dislikes: Plastic back door*, and plastic top**; VF baselength is too short to effectively focus a 13.5cm lens past 50ft; shutter speed dial is a little stiff for one-finger action.

* Plastic door: I have no problems with it currently, but I'm afraid that one day I'll drop the camera with the door open, and that it will break clean in half... Just an irrational fear, funtionally the door is excellent.

** Plastic top: I had no problems with it until I wiped out on my skateboard with the R around my neck (see Road Rash (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5432)). I went down fast and hard, and the R went for a bit of a flight, followed by a good tumble. Best I can figure, she hit the concrete on one side, broke the neck strap, and went flying in the opposite direction, coming to rest on a nice section of grass. In the process, of course there was some scratching and denting. Underneath the black paint is a brassy/silver paint, and underneath that is that ugly 'white-ish plastic' colour. Ech! I suppose I could paint over it...

One reason I bought the R was that I wanted a compact travel kit with interchangeable lenses, something that was smaller and lighter than my Yashica SLRs (and zoom lenses) were. It was a good decision; it goes everywhere with me now, and it's going to be seeing a lot of the world with me soon...

[RML]

** Plastic top: I had no problems with it until I wiped out on my skateboard with the R around my neck (see Road Rash (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5432)). I went down fast and hard, and the R went for a bit of a flight, followed by a good tumble. Best I can figure, she hit the concrete on one side, broke the neck strap, and went flying in the opposite direction, coming to rest on a nice section of grass. In the process, of course there was some scratching and denting. Underneath the black paint is a brassy/silver paint, and underneath that is that ugly 'white-ish plastic' colour. Ech! I suppose I could paint over it...

I don't think Mr Kobayashi intended the R to be wipe-out proof. :p

As it is,most cameras won't stand well up to a wipe-out on concrete. I would be saddened if my R came to land like that but I would be seriously bummed (financially) if it happened to my Eos 300D, which was a lot more expensive than my R and J8 together.

I don't know how my M2 would hold out, though. Probably it would take a little less damage but the resulting CLA would cost me dearly. In the end a new R might be cheaper.

[cbass]

Put the first roll of Kodak C-41 B&W through the Bessa R on on Saturday -- a windy, raw day in Plymouth, MA. The camera is an enjoyable user. Here are my quick impressions.

The Bessa is very easy to focus. The bright RF/VF make it easy to focus quickly and the short throw on the CV 35/2.5 make the camera a fast performer. I didn't "miss the focus" at all in my test roll.

The 35mm framelines may be a bit wider than 35mm. I got a couple of things in my prints that I meant to exclude. The framelines are really easy to see, though. I wear glasses so this is a big plus. YMMV.

The camera back gets slippery if it gets wet. Bear this in mind if you shoot in the rain like I did.

The meter is accurate. You can fool it if you try but it generally nails the exposure.

It's easy to shoot vertically with the Bessa. The RF patch stays visible as do the framelines.

I've atatched a couple of images below. Love the camera so far. I'll shoot some color film next and see how that goes. I'm looking forward to using the Bessa for a long, long time!

[Doug]

Your results are looking very very good, Chris! It's great that you're so pleased with the gear.

[Richard Black]

cbass,
Your shots are clear and sharp. Did you use a filter on the 35mm? It appears that the leaves are white.

[nwcanonman]

I've used the Bessa R for two weeks now and am highly impressed. Using it with the J-8, Industar-50, J-9 and the 35mm Skopar C, is awesome!
I own more expensive SLR's and lenses, but the R and the CV 35mm blow me away. :D

[cbass]

Richard - I did not use a filter on my test roll. The chromogenic B&W film was not a good choice for that particular scene. It was shady and the trees were thick and heavy with new leaves which were a very light, bright green. It was an overcast day and the lighting did not lend itself to creating contrast. I have to give the Bessa meter credit for doing a good job in a semi-challenging situation.

The pic below shows some of the same trees, shot from a different angle, unshaded, in color. Taken with my FED-2 & J8 at about f/8 & 1/100.

Canonman - how is that I-50? I've heard that lens is a good performer. Does the slow-ish speed cause you to miss any shots in available light? I'd like to try an I-50 alongside my I-26M and J8.

[nwcanonman]

Chris,
It's the Industar-50 I have is amazing for it's size and price. Here's a shot taken on an overcast day at the Deshutz River, Tumwater, WA.
;)

[Richard Black]

cbass,
I too have an I-50 and am favorably impressed by it. I could not find a photo taken with it this morning but I will look later. The oof area is quite nice and stopped down it is almost Jupiter 8 like. I just wish that it would collapse into the Bessa R I have. Now that would be a small package!

[tedwhite]

Hmmm. What about the Helios 103? I borrowed a Kiev once (before I bought one) and that was the lens attached. I thought it was a pretty good lens. Any others with one?

Ted

[wlewisiii]

It is an interesting lens, but AFAIK, it's a Kiev mount only. Gotta admit that I like the Jupiter/Sonnar 50/2 a bit more. I just wish the Industars had been made in Kiev as well.

William

[tedwhite]

William: Didn't know that it was Kiev mount only What I've got on my Kiev 4AM at present is a Jupiter 8, which seems to do a good job.

Just affixed a Gordy's wrist strap that came in the mail today to my Bessa R. Small, non-SLR digital cameras usually come with only a wrist strap, so maybe I can be clandestine. At middle distance the Bessa R looks like any other black point & shoot. However, when one gets closer...

[cbass]

I finally had a chance to shoot some color film in my new Bessa R during a Memorial Day trip to Chatham, MA. Chatham is a nice town for picture-taking, if only I could find the "right" focal length :confused: . 35 seems to wide and 50 seems to narrow. I just gotta keep shooting and I'll find my happy place one day.

I've attached two samples below and I'll try to put a few more in my gallery in case anyone is interested in seeing the results. Aside from the boring subjects the photos were accurately exposed and the color reproduction was good. I used Fuji Superia 200 film for these. Overall I am happy. The CV 35/2.5 is plenty sharp but the contrast seems lower and the colors lack "pop" when compared to the Ukranian LTM lenses that I'm more familiar with. Still, I'm not complaining...I can spin my FSU lenses on the Bessa R body any old time!

After a few weeks of use I am still very pleased with the Bessa R. It's fun and easy to use and has a great RF/VF. It is quickly becoming one of my "go-to" cameras, along with my Minolta XG-9 and my Oly XA2.

Bessa R likes: super VF/RF, light weight & small size, fast in use, switchable framelines, accurate meter.

Bessa R gripes: strap lug placement (seems to be a common complaint), back door is slippery, self-timer feels very cheap.

I can heartily reccommend the Bessa R. It's fun to use and has pumped new life into my shooting. If you have a large collection of LTM lenses, buy an R body and you won't regret it. If you're like me and have only a few LTM lenses, the R kit with the 35/2.5 makes sense.

[tedwhite]

Chris, if the 35mm feels too wide and the 50mm seems to constricting, well, the obvious solution is the 40mm f:1.4 CV Nokton! At $349 it's not exactly a steal, but you might find that, if it's "just right" for you, you could sell the other two and not be out a dime. Plus it's way fast, you could almost take pictures at night without a tripod. My Super Takumar 50/1.4 has surprised me more than once in that regard.

My dos centavos

[simonankor]

The lovely R gets a 5 from me. It was cheap when I got it, and it's light enough that it goes everywhere with me. I've settled into the 35mm length nicely so I haven't felt the need to buy any new lenses.

The only thing tempting me away from it is a Zorki... but that's another story!

[dostacos]

I give the Bessa R a 2 ;)

that is to say, I bought 2 of them :D the only thing I would change is the lens mount BUT I did not realize the R2 was the one I REALLY wanted. I could not justify the R2 as the second body since I would spend more time removing the adapters to switch back and forth :(

Next week I plan on doing a film comparison same shot same lens different B&W film

Kodak C41 B&W V. Arista EDU ULTRA B&W

Arista EDU ULTRA B&W V. Arista II

[Richard Black]

I, 2, have a similar problem. I lust after the gray R2a, but that again is another different lens systems and/or adaptors, and let me see how many different systems do I need: ltm, 42mm, MD, FD, P6, ? so do I really need another lens system. Besides, I am happy with the R.

[Bill K.]

I have had my black Bessa R since late spring 2005 and I truly like it. In fact, it's the only camera that I have used since I got it.

I did have some concerns about the "plastic issues" but find that this camera is well built, very "handsome looking" in a classical way and just plain 'feels right" in my hands.

I love the CV 35/2.5 lens, but I did get a black J8 that I have used very little.

The only minor issue is film re-wind. I find you have to do it slowly to prevent the handle from slipping out of the groove on the rewind mechanism.

I gave this camera a solid 5 on the poll.

Regards to all,

Bill K.

[einolu]

Great camera, though I have had some problems with the framelines.

[Gabriel M.A.]

The Bessa-R is a-ok. It's no slouch, great film loading. There's just...something...missing. For the price, it's worth every penny. It's a mechanical camera with a top speed of 1/2000 sec., and that is a super great deal for me. Too noisy for my taste, so it's full of compromises for me. But I like it, otherwise I wouldn't have one.

When a light lens is mounted on it, it's fine. I do need a little bit more heft on it, though. I should either get a case or a grip for it. I do wish it had an on/off button/switch for the light meter, but since that's not anybody's complaint, I suppose that'd be very ill-received (I guess that would depend on how they'd design the button/switch).

The Bessa-R is very good value for the money.

[rover]

This review was written in January of 2004 and has to be one of the most informative pieces of information about the Bessa R available. It just keeps coming up and offering more for all who look.

[wlewisiii]

I have not had any chance to actually use a Bessa R, but I did have, at the April 8 gathering in Madison, the chance to "fondle" Gabriel's R. This was a much more substantial camera than I had been lead to believe and the VF was a delight. Combining this with my real experiance with the 35/2.5 Skopar in SC mount, I am confident that I can buy any C-V product and be very satisfied with the cost/benifit ratio.

William

[danwilly]

I sold my Leica IIIf and bought a second Bessa R body. With money left over. When I realized I hadn't shot a photo with the Leica for the past six months I knew it was time to put her up for adoption. With the Bessa body and the Leica lenses I have the best of both worlds. Plus, Gandy was running a special.

[tedwhite]

Gabriel: Get the side mount, makes a huge difference.

Ted

[Richard Black]

My wife and I retuned from a trip to Mesa Verde, the cliff dwellings in S.W. Colorado. I took 4 cameras, including the Bessa R and Color Skopar and J8. I use a Gordy wrist strap so the way it hangs is not a problem. Here is a couple of shots of the ruins.

p.s. when you click on the photos place your cursor on the lower right and click again to enlarge to get the details.

[eddie con]

what happens if the foam on the slit view window in the film compartment disintegrates? will light get in and ruin film? i use my bessa r for relatively rugged and risky conditions and it performs excellently. but i do worry about that foam. is it easy to have it replaced ifever? i live in the philippines where access to good aftersales is hard and it can be very inconvenient when you have to wait for months when the camera undergoes just a minor repair abroad. i do hope somebody can still pick up this thread. last post has been more than a month.

[tedwhite]

Eddie:

I think it's quite unlikely that the foam around the window would disintegrate in a camera of such recent vintage.

For example, the first cameras I bought with a film window were Minolta Maxxum 7000's. I bought these the year they were introduced - 1984 - and when I sold these cameras in 2005 - 21 years later - the window foam was still perfectly OK.

In the unlikely event the foam does disintegrate and you begin to have light leaks, simply place black electricians tape over the window. All you have to do is remember what kind of film you've got in the camera, and as long as you set the ISO speed when you load the camera you can keep right on using the camera. N

None of the Pentax Spotmatic cameras I use daily (along with my Bessa R) have a film window. However, they have a cute little dial around the rewind lever that you can set for "empty," "panchromatic" (black and white), and "color."

I almost always forget to set it.

Ted

[fraley]

Hobby shops also sell sticky-backed felt that could be cut to shape and substituted for the foam.

[eddie con]

okay. bessa r is worth keeping then. thanks, michael and ted, for the assurance and the possible remedial measures i can resort to just in case. i thought i could have a good reason to move up to a zeiss ikon or an MP and create a gaping hole in my wallet.:D

[tedwhite]

Do keep it, sir. It's a great camera and the v/c lenses are superb. If you ruined yourself financially and bought a Zeiss Ikon I doubt its acquisition would make you a better photographer than what you already are, nor would I expect to see any noticeable improvement in image quality.

Ted

[nrb]

what happens if the foam on the slit view window in the film compartment disintegrates? will light get in and ruin film? i use my bessa r for relatively rugged and risky conditions and it performs excellently. but i do worry about that foam. is it easy to have it replaced ifever? i live in the philippines where access to good aftersales is hard and it can be very inconvenient when you have to wait for months when the camera undergoes just a minor repair abroad. i do hope somebody can still pick up this thread. last post has been more than a month.
Recently I've replaced leaking foam from my R4 with new foam bought from a japanese site on the bay. It comes in 2 sheets around 10x15 cm each and has to be cut to fit. Instructions came with the sheets. Name of the japanese site is Aki-Asahi if memory doesn't fail me.
nuno

[tedwhite]

you can also get it from www.yashica_guy.com. He sells lots of neat stuff (like battery spacers for the GSN).

Ted

[eddie con]

ted,
the pictures i get from the bessa r are truly terrific. i am just worried about its durability and resale value. but its the most worryfree camera i have ever had and though i have added a toy (contax G2 is too heavy for kids though) i am not parting with the bessa r. our friends in the group assured me that it is going to be fun using the G2. well, right now i am assured of one thing -- reading the manual and understanding how it works is good brain exercise. thanks again.

[eddie con]

Recently I've replaced leaking foam from my R4 with new foam bought from a japanese site on the bay. It comes in 2 sheets around 10x15 cm each and has to be cut to fit. Instructions came with the sheets. Name of the japanese site is Aki-Asahi if memory doesn't fail me.
nuno

thanks nuno. i am taking note.

[rxmd]

I could not justify the R2 as the second body since I would spend more time removing the adapters to switch back and forthYou can leave the adapter in and screw the lens in and out.

Philipp

[Kragmeister]

I've been using an R for over a year now. Love it to death :) However I finally discovered a negative issue with regards to durability.

The printed on viewfinder magnification markings on the top are starting to get rubbed. I've almost lost the "90" and the "75" is missing part of the "5". I think I'm going to cut out a piece of clear tape to cover it over.

Heat stamped or moulded numbers would have been more durable, but less elegant out of the box I think. Oh well.

Mechanically it is still great and is my user camera.

Later,
Greg

[WCOCHRAN]

The R is my first rangefinder too. I have not warmed up to digital (other than for my job) cameras. They are like coffee without caffeine or a boat without water. I could go on like this forever. I went on vacation, but was too chicken to use the Bessa. I had just gotten it the week before and I wasn't quite ready to use it yet. There is just something so COOL about a rangefinder camera too. As for the Bessa R, I can't wait to hit the megamillions to buy an R3 from Cameraquest.

[tedwhite]

Well, I've had mine for some time. It's a real workhorse. I use it quite often. The grip helps enormously and eliminates the backward tilt, plus makes it a bit heavier and more stable. That's a plus.

The ONLY minus is - at least in my camera - when I try to advance beyond the last frame, which frequently happens when I'm doing fast street shooting and not paying attention to the frame counter, the camera jams. I press in the little button on the bottom to release the gear on the take-up spool and begin rewinding. Nothing happens. Inevitably I have to stick the camera into a change bag, open it, unstick things, and then wind the film back into its cassette.

For a time I carried the change bag wadded up in a pocket. Finally I came up with a plan: If it's a 24 exposure roll, stop at 21 or 22. Then it rewinds just fine. As I bulk load, what's a frame or two anyway.

Outside of that single quirk, the camera is a gem, as is the 35/2.5 Skopar.

Ted

[haagen_dazs]

I have a Bessa R for sale. hehehe =) pm if interested!

[CanDocGuy]

I just ordered a Bessa R with the Skopar 35 2.5.

I have wanted a rangefinder for years, but never wanted to pony up the money needed for a Leica. It's not that I dont like them. But it is kind of like owing a Rolex, man I would hate to loose it, or drop it in the drink.

When I first heard about the Bessa, I was very skeptical. When I am shooting for the newspaper, I use a DSLR, you pretty much have to these days.

But I really wanted to use film again for my documentary work. A friend of mine let me try his, and I was hooked.

I swear my BIG GEAR must weigh about 7-8lbs each, by the time you have fast glass and flashs on both.

I just loved the feel of the Bessa, the ability to really use zone focusing, and the quality of the pictures is great.

And while I hope no harm ever comes to my new toy, if it does, I dont have to break the bank to get a new one.

Cheers.
Mark.

[rover]

Welcome Mark, I know you will enjoy that new kit.

[tedwhite]

Hi, Mark:

My Bessa R seems fairly rugged. I schlepp it around most every day, sometimes on a motorcycle, and it seems just as solid as when it was new. Like you, my commercial work is all DSLR (Pentax ist DS) because of the right-now demands of clients, but when nobody's looking I pull out the Bessa and snap away.

Ted

[timothychanzl]

Build quality is plastic, light weight but definately not flimsy.

Rangefinder spot is a tad small. I had a better experience with the Canonet's yellow rangefinder spot.

Excellent, affoardable rangefinder.

[tedwhite]

Sorry, Timothy. The Body is die-cast metal. Only the top and bottom plates are composite material.

Ted

[robin a]

11-21 Reading these posts did me in,I just put the check in the mail.Bessa R,35/2.5,silver,with case.I think what sold me was the double shutter,no more light leaks,and the meter.Hope it's here soon.........Robin

[rover]

You will love it Robin. Don't feel "done in," feel READY!!!

[cricketer]

Hi everyone, first post :)

I ordered an R3 yesterday with the 40m 1.4 and I can't wait to receive it. My other camera is a D70 with a bunch of lenses and to be honest I am fed up with lugging everything around.

I haven't used a rangefinder for years (never used a 'serious' one before) so I'll be looking for some help ;).....................

:)

Alan

[ClaremontPhoto]

A good choice cricketer, the camera and the lens. Don't even think about a bag for it: just sling it over your shoulder and take it everywhere.

[cme4brain]

I currently have a Bessa R, having previously an R2 and R3a, both which I sold when I got my Leica M6. I then bought a Bessa R for backup, and to take if I am in a high crime area/flying where the loss of the camera would not be as great as my M6. It works well, has an accurate meter, and it got me re-introduced into rangefinder photograpy.

[fishtek]

I've had my "R" for a few weeks, and haven't used my other cameras (Canon 300D, Canon 10s) since I got this one. I'm still getting used to the camera, the 35/2.5 and 75/2.5, and am trying out various films. There are a few pictures posted in my gallery, so you might get an idea of how I'm doing...

Regards!
Don

[David Murphy]

I paid $200 for mine, new, on eBay 2 or 3 years ago. Someone was liquidating a camera store. The only LTM rangefinders I find equally practical are the Canon rapid wind models from the late 50's and early 60's. While I am not a big fan of meters on cameras, the one on the Bessa-R is damn good. The whole thing works well, and the viewfinder is fabulous. It's a bargain in an arena of photography with few bargains.

[sinetsin]

Great reveiw Lars!
if i has some doubts about bessa-r you review help me to find the way!hahaha
i'll buy a bessa-r as soon as possible!

take care

[tedwhite]

In my 09-25-2006 post I complained about the camera when you tried to wind past the last frame, and I described the fix.

Well, the camera seems to have gotten over that quirk and works now just as it should.

Or, could it be that, because of the grip that attaches to the bottom plate, I wasn't pushing in the rewind release pin far enough? Duh.

Sinestin, you're gonna love the camera.

Ted

[BJ Bignell]

One of the strap lugs on my silver Bessa is starting to get loose; it wiggles a fair amount, so I no longer trust it. The lug seems to be anchored in place, but I just don't want to take a chance. This probably happened because I use wrist straps, but I use them heavily, not just as a backup measure.

When I have the strap around my wrist, and decide that I need my hand free - perhaps to get something from my bag or pocket - I simply open my hand and drop the camera. Likewise, when I'm tired of holding the camera but don't want to put it away, I'll just stick my hands in my pockets and let it dangle for a while. This behaviour probably constitues heavier-than-normal use, if not reckless endagerment!

I stand by my four-star rating. The Bessa R is an excellent camera.

[januaryman]

Ran my first roll of film through my "new" Bessa R that I got from a member, came with Industar 61 and it is a gem, I agree. Nice bright viewfinder, got compromise between material and heft/weight that makes it easy to take anywhere. I like the sound of the shutter, where other find it too loud, but I don't do a lot of street photography.

Yes, the lugs could have been better placed, and the meter could be a little less picky, but overall, I think it's a 5 or a 4 1/2 in term of affordability and quality. A lot of bang for the buck. Now if my CV 35/2.5 would just arrive.....

[cjm]

januaryman, I'm glad to hear your liking the Bessa R. I'm actually having a little seller's remorse, it was such a nice camera. However, I think that will be cured when I receive some more OM lenses this week. Enjoy the Bessa!

[hon910]

Hi, I just got hold of an used Bessa R and wonder where I could download a manual.
The reason is I would like to double check on the ASA Guide on the shutter dial. As it only indicate the main ASA like 100,200, 400 & so on, I wante to know what the others "dots" indicate.
Is all these "dot" indicator are standard through all brand of camera?

Please advise, thank you

[kully]

The dots indicate 1/3 ISO steps in between the numbered.. numebers.

For example there are two dots between 200 and 400 - the dot after 200 is 250 and the dot before 400 is 320.

[hon910]

The dots indicate 1/3 ISO steps in between the numbered.. numebers.

For example there are two dots between 200 and 400 - the dot after 200 is 250 and the dot before 400 is 320.


Thanks buddy

[rover]

80.5% of the responders have given the Bessa R a 4 or 5 star rating. I really think the R is a great camera, the Cosina Voigtlander homerun.

[Richard Black]

I've had my R for over a year, shot about 25 rolls (too many other cameras) and can report only the following problem. I have a soft release and an everready case. They don't mix. The top of the case pressed down on the release and drained the battery. Since using it as a half-case only, no problem. As with every one, I would prefer a different location of the eyes where the carrying strap mounts, but since I use Gordy's wrist strap, no problems.:D

[tedwhite]

Best way to solve the strap mount problem is to get the Voigtlander grip accessory. It has its own strap lug and this eliminates the camera tilt when using a neck strap. Also, with Gordy's wrist strap, the camera is hanging from the grip lug rather than the camera lug.

Ted

[Seele]

Old thread indeed, but it goes on to show how the original R carries on gaining friends.

I have both the R and the R2, and grab the R more often. Thinking about it, I suppose I have found why it appeals, even compared to the R2: the point is its "purity" as a picture-taking machine.

Sure enough the R2 has a lot of very appealing refinements and improvements: the splatter-finish black paint on magnesium body, the grippier covering, the steel back... all add up to a camera which appeals more to the senses. But the "purity" of the R is not only about the lack of these: it is also about the inherent ways the photographer interacts with subject through the camera.

Case in point: the exposure meters on the R and R2 work very differently. On the R, you press down the shutter release button and it goes on, and when you let go, it switches itself off after ten seconds, regardless of whether the shutter is tensioned or not. On the R2, the meter can only be switched on when the shutter is tensioned and switches itself off as soon as the shutter runs down.

For most people the revised meter system is a good thing, indicating if the shutter is tensioned or not, but sometimes I prefer to leave the shutter ran down and still use the meter, and more than often the shutter is tensioned anyway. The way I work, I personally favour the R's simplier approach, where I, the user, is in charge always.

By the way it looks, it will take a long long time before my R2 catches up with the amount of use I get out of the R.

[tedwhite]

I agree, Seele. For example, of all te cameras I've got and use, the three rolls I developed in my darkroom yesterday were all shot with a Bessa R. Different lenses: J8, Canon 50/1.8, 35/2.5 cv. I can't compare these lenses from a technical standpoint, but from a purely subjective take, the J8 has a sweet old-timey look with a nice gray scale, the Canon is sharp, and the Color Skopar is painfully sharp.

Ted

[robin a]

I like this thread and I love my Bessa R,I'm so glad you guys sold me on it.It's a keeper ............Robin

[danwilly]

I fell in love with the R and went out and bought a second one. My only complaint, albeit a small complaint, is the limited range of the light meter. I still have to carry a handheld meter for low light shoots.

[oscroft]

Different lenses: J8, Canon 50/1.8, 35/2.5 cv. I can't compare these lenses from a technical standpoint, but from a purely subjective take, the J8 has a sweet old-timey look with a nice gray scale, the Canon is sharp, and the Color Skopar is painfully sharp
I don't have a Canon 50/1.8, but my take on the other two is exactly the same - I've got a J-8 that gives me beautiful b&w tones with an old fashioned feel, and a CV 35/2.5 that I almost cut myself on. I've been buying far too many lenses (I just took delivery of a CV 25/4 that I haven't tried yet :D) but there are two more that I can't help feeling I'd like to get for the R, one of which is probably mythical - I'll probably eventually get a CV 50/2.5 to give me a super-sharp 50 for colour slide work, but I'd also really like a 35 that gives similar b&w results to the J-8, though sadly I have no idea of the identity of such a beast.

[Burlap Jacket]

I bought a used Bessa R w/ 35/2.5 Skopar from a member of this forum last week.

My initial reactions are that I love the compact size. Most of my 35mm stuff is with a Canon A2E with the 50/1.4, so this kit seems tiny in comparison. The shutter is a bit louder than I'd like, but I can't really afford an M6 right now. I'm impressed with the contrast of the rf patch, though I do wish it was a little larger. My friend's R2A seems to have a slightly larger patch iirc.

Just got back the first roll of XP2, some samples attached. I'm happy with the performance by this pint sized lens. Though I'm already itching for a fast 50mm.

[tedwhite]

Burlap Jacket:

Love the two shots of the women. What wonderful expressions...

Clearly there's nothing wrong with that lens.

ALAN:

I'm not sure yet, the the Canon seems pretty good on the gray scale. As I don't have a neg scanner, I have to make a 5X7 or an 8X10 in the darkroom and then scan it with my Epson 4990. Takes a bit of time.

You might ask Frank S. about the Canon. I bought it from him and I'm sure he can comment more usefully about the lens than I in terms of gray scale.

Ted

[JohnH]

this humble user likes it a lot. It has performed in cold, damp environents without failure in the last three years, but this humble user always keeps it in a pelicase while kayaking with a dessicant pack. It gets splash from spray on it when used while paddling. It gets dried carefully after each trip. The camera finish is not very resistant to scuffing or marring.
so maximum marks on funtionality
not so great on the durability of the finish, but its plastic, wuddya expect?

[surlysimon]

Quick Question:
Has anyone tried fixing scuff marks in the paint of a black R? I thought of using tape to cover the marks and protect them a bit but wondered if anyone had tried something differrent? I know it doesn't affect perfomance but I like a tidy camera?

[tedwhite]

I haven't got scuff marks that worry me, but I did use a slim strip of black electrician's tape to cover "Bessa R" on the camera's front and the tape is virtually invisible (see my avatar). I also use it to cover most of the back door to keep nose oil off the door (I'm left-eyed). Residual tape stickum will probably come off with something like Goof-Off. I hope. But it doesn't really matter as I don't plan to sell this camera. I plan to wear it out.

Ted

[pesphoto]

Ted,
I see in your avatar your Bessa R has a verticle grip. Worth buying?

[surlysimon]

Ted
I am left-eyed too and that back door is anoying. I am tempted to cover the logos too.

maybe we should run a Poll on how many RFFs are left-eyed?

simon

[tedwhite]

pesphoto:

Best investment - other than an Ultron or Nokton - that you could make, and a hell of a lot cheaper. Better grip, saves bottom plate scratching, and has a strap lug that allows the camera to hang vertically rather than sag upwards.

Ted

[tedwhite]

Simon:

Do it. May have been done before. Check first.

Never mattered, I guess, with an SLR, which was the strong eye.

[mike goldberg]

Hi Ted and all,
I'm also left eye dominant.

For the first time in 35 years I'm using any kind of case with a camera.
I opted for Gandy's $1- case with my new Bessa T, and am using the
camera with the half case.
QUESTION:
Without a doubt, the Bessa R is the most popular of the Bessa's in RFF.
Given that it's m39 screw mount, it's 2-1/3 turns to change a lens, and,
some guys have complained about a sensitive RF and plasticky feel...
please, please explain your love affair with this Bessa ?
No-no-no, I'm not in any way knocking the Bessa R...
just trying to understand ;-)
Ciao, mike

[tedwhite]

My friend compared an M6 and a Bessa R. He said they are both basic RF cameras with a meter. The comparison ends there in terms of build quality. You get what you pay for.

However, the Bessa R is the best RF camera buy for the money on the market today. You can fit Leica lenses to it, Canon lenses, Russian lenses, and of course Voigtlander lenses. The viewfinder is brilliant, the patch is easy to see, and the controls are intuitive.

True, some folks manage to knock the RF out of line. I have no idea what they did to cause that. I don't baby my camera and have run maybe 40 rolls through it. No problems, except one. As I bulk load my film, I'm never sure at which point I should stop shooting and rewind. If I go too far, the film advance lever jams in midstroke, and even though I push in the rewind button , it takes a bit of strength to operate the rewind lever. If I stop a few frames before I run out of film, no problem, but it still doesn't have that silky, effortless rewind of a Leica or a pentax spotmatic.

Again, you get what you've paid for, but in the case of the Bessa R, you get an awful lot. Get one, it's money well-spent.

Ted

[oscroft]

If I go too far, the film advance lever jams in midstroke, and even though I push in the rewind button , it takes a bit of strength to operate the rewind lever.
When that happens to me and the wind lever is jammed in midstroke I just push the rewind button and finish the wind stroke, and then the film rewinds easily.

[mike goldberg]

The Bessa R bug has bitten ;-)
I'm looking for a Bessa R Exc, used, and this will probably
be a 'dedicated' body+Jupiter 50/2 combination.

The recently acquired T may end up as a 'dediated' CV 25/4
combo, with the 25mm viewer that came with the 25/4.
Ciao, mike

Ciao

[tedwhite]

Alan:

Thanks for that bit of information. I was beginning to worry. To solve the problem before your post I was loading 30 frames of TriX and stopping at 21 so I wouldn't jam in midstroke.

Thanks again,

Ted

[mike goldberg]

Hi Ted, Alan & all...
A few hours ago, I bought a Bessa R+J8+side grip for a good price.

I've noted Alan's comment:

When that happens to me and the wind lever is jammed in midstroke I just push the rewind button and finish the wind stroke, and then the film rewinds easily.

Thanks & ciao,
mike

[robin a]

Hi Mike,enjoy the R.I used a Fed2 for a long while,there is a world of diff..The R I have has no light leaks!A nice camera all around,good basic rangefinder.Good luck with yours...........Robin

[atelier7]

i'm eagerly awaiting my bessa r from mr gandy!
lightweight, built in metering, no light leaks, fear of burning a hole in the shutter, etc... woo hoo!

[ibcrewin]

i'm eagerly awaiting my bessa r from mr gandy!
lightweight, built in metering, no light leaks, fear of burning a hole in the shutter, etc... woo hoo!
ME TOO!!! I am on the same boat. I just bought a few rolls and It's not even in the mail yet!

[mike goldberg]

My beautiful Bessa R+side grip is here :D

I'm going to be really careful about stopping film advance at frame number 33 or 34, so as NOT to get that "mid stroke freeze-up" at the end of the roll [usually released via the rewind button].

As for the flash shoe, I would not put anything in there heavier than a small, dedicated finder if need be. The word seems to be: Be gentle in sliding accessories in and out of the flash shoe. The screws for the RF alignment adjustment are right underneath the shoe.

Cheers, mike

[Epimetheus]

I have been shooting 37 exposures on a 36 exposure roll on my bessa-r without any problems. I'm just careful advansing the film on those last two frames.

Only improvement I can think of is that the light meter could shut off when set to bulb(or some other sign on meter). I usually adjust shutter speed without looking the adjust knob and it has couple of times ended up on bulb accidentally.

[mike goldberg]

One week later, and the word is "love." After running a few rolls through the R,
I can add.. all the good things said in over 120 posts above are true.

The side grip is a great accessory for this camera; it just belongs there. It's well made, fits perfectly with one screw into the tripod thread, and the camera's rear door can be opened without removing the side grip.

The variety of lenses available for the screwmount R is mind blowing. Mine [used] came with an ancient J8 which is quite good. Another modified J8 is
on the way. The CV 75/2.5 just arrived. And, I bought an extra M Adapter for use of screwmount lenses with the Bessa T or Leica M2.

Further, the R's finder window is bright and clear, and the RF patch is great.

There are a few quirks, and one is: The meter tends to slight overexposure. This is easily compensated for, by going slightly higher on the ISO setting. In summary, I love the R [and the T as well]. I think it was Ted White who said, the R is one of the best buys in RF cameras today. And it is... even if newer models have more bells & whistles... even if Cosina's current and new models are mostly M-mount.

The Bessa R, introduced only 7 years ago, is already a classic.
Cheers,
mike :)

[tedwhite]

Mike:

Great news about your camera. Bit of advice: Instead of going higher on the ISO setting, simply point the camera down slightly, get that meter reading, set the camera accordingly, then shoot away. The TTL meter apparently is pointed slightly higher than your subject (As in: sky).

I hope I got that right.

Ted

[ibcrewin]

Okay here's my take on this Camera..

I was going to take it to Mexico but I didn't get it in time. That was my bad.

Nomenclature: The camera feels pretty good in my hands. People say it's plasticy but compared to most cameras this still feels like a tank. I can only imagine how heavy some other RFs are. The camera does hang funny on the neck strap but it doesn't bother me too much. The Brown leather case from Stephen is nicer than I thought it was going be.

Picture making: This is technically my second rangefinder, but compared to the Canonet 28, I'd like to say this is my first real one. (not knocking you canonet users). The viewfinder is nice and bright, and the shutter has a nice snap to it.
When I got it I stuffed what ever film I had and took some really crappy pictures. Here's a couple shot with bw400cn from a couple days ago. (note: I am really bad at scanning with the 8600f).

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/437552972_2d7e8e2f12.jpg?v=0
and
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/437552974_ca768c807d.jpg?v=0

[tedwhite]

Yeah, you can tell it's bw400cn from the slight color cast. I don't know what lens you've got, but don't sell it. Very good tonal range. Enjoy...

[ibcrewin]

Thanks Ted. It's the 35mm color skopar classic.

I don't think the scans do it justice either. The prints came out better imho. I have a roll of e6 in there now. I put more thought into that roll hopefully i'll get something better to share there.

[BJ Bignell]

A question for some of you: Why are you so careful about avoiding the mid-stroke jam when arriving at the end of a roll?

I have two Rs, and have never had a problem with this. Yes, the lever jams mid-stroke, but this doesn't prevent me from rewinding the film, nor does it make rewinding any more difficult as far as I can tell. I get 38 shots from a 36 every time, and have never had any problems with film or with the camera.

I suppose if you're a rapid winder or if you have a strong thumb, maybe you could do some damage, but I've never seen this "feature" as something to avoid. Is there something I'm missing?

[tedwhite]

What I've learned from others:

If it jams in mid-stroke, push in the rewind button, then complete the stroke, and it will rewind easily.

[thefsb]

at $450 with 25mm lens and 25mm viewfinder new with warantee the camera is a steal. it's super easy to use, great looking and gives me pride of ownership. is there a better value new camera out there?

[robin a]

at $450 with 25mm lens and 25mm viewfinder new with warantee the camera is a steal. it's super easy to use, great looking and gives me pride of ownership. is there a better value new camera out there?
NO !!!!!.........Robin

[Richard Black]

BJ,
I agree with you and I don't have the problems mentioned earlier. If the advance stops mid-stroke, I hit the release button and begin to rewind. After that I complete the advance and trip the shutter. I have shot 40 or so rolls and have had this happen on occasion and suffered no issues. I'm not fast on the advance though and that might help.

[Ming The Merciless]

I just got the results back from my Bessa R w/ the Jupiter 8 lens and was very delighted. I wasn't sure I was focussing properly since I'd never used a rangefinder befor but everything was in focuss.

[CanDocGuy]

I have had mine for about three months now. It is the first rangefinder I have ever owned, and am loving shooting and processing film again, although it took some practice to get used to the metal film reels again!

In addition to freelance work I do for papers, (all digital) I have three long term doc projects on the go, and I am only using the Bessa on those projects. It is great coming home after a day of shooting with 3-4 rolls of film, that have "good" shots on them, as apposed to downloading 200-300 images from my digital SLRS that I was doing before.

As far as value, I dont thing anything can come close to touching it. I bought mine second hand, and spent $350 CDN for the camera and the skopar 35. I will keep this thing for ever, and it will be the first camera my kids will use if they ever show an interest.

IMO a rangefinder is documentary photographer's tool. I love the feel, the sound. and the pure simplicity of them.

Someone in this thread mentioned using the brown half case, I do too. It reduces the sound of the shutter a little bit, plus I like the feel of it.

I have always wanted a Leica, but I just dont think I can justify the cost. If this thing goes in the drink, it's not the end of the world. I wouldnt be happy, but at least the fishee's wont be looking at a $3000 camera and lens!

I am also impressed with the quality out of that lens! The contrast and sharpness is incredible.

Without a doubt, one of the best little camera's to come along in a long time, and it is great to see the interest in film and RF's again, dare I say film is becoming in-vogue again?

RF's rule!

[tedwhite]

I have been recently privy to a Leica M6. With the Skopar 35/2.5 on it and also on the Bessa R, there is absolutely no difference in image quality. To be expected, of course. As for the cameras, both seem to have equally bright and easy to use viewfinders. The M6 is heavier and feels somewhat more solid, and the shutter release sound is, as some have described it, a relligious experience.

Aside from that, I'll take the Bessa R. I like the meter read out better and the film loading is so much easier. And, as others have said, the price is right. So the shutter release is louder, no question. But all RF cameras make less noise than SLR cameras. If you want noise, try Bronicas, Hasselblads, and the Kowa 6. You fire those things, birds bolt from trees a block away, babies wake crying from the house across the street, someone calls the police reporting gunshots, etc.

I could beat this Bessa into the ground, literally wear it out, and buy two more without coming close to the price of a new M7 body.

I guess you could say that I like my Bessa R.

[robin a]

Go Ted Go ! I love mine also.........Robin

[Spyderman]

It's almost a year now since I bought my first Bessa R. I bought it used, and it served me well.

But IMO the R is just too plastic. I was afraid I might break it. Esecially the film loading door. I also didn't like that the paint (black) wears off pretty easily - especially around the eyepiece where the camera touches your head. Other than that it's a great camera. As capable as any other. And the VF is just perfect - bright and big. Though the RF patch can disappear if you don't position your eye in the centre of the eyepiece.

Now I have Bessa R2. Basically the same camera, but with magnesium body (also the back door!) and M-mount. The VF is the same. M mount permits use of either LTM or M mount lenses and quick lens changing - so this is a big plus. The metering is also slightly different - similar to all later Bessas: it's weighted towards bottom left part of the frame - thus is gives more importance to the ground and less to the sky even when you photograph a portrait orientation picture...
And overall I like the R2 more because I'm less afraid of breaking it...

[tedwhite]

The RF patch disappears for the same reason on Leicas also.

[Uwe_Nds]

Last year, I bought my Hexar RF and the 50 and 90 mm M-Hexanons, which I am most satisfied with. But I always missed some wide-angle lenses. So, some weeks ago, I ordered from the head bartender the 25/4.0 and the 35/2.5 with M-adapter. In order to cut shipping cost per item, I went for the Bessa R kit with the intention to sell the body on the bay. While the parcel was on it's way across the Atlantic, I found both the 28/2.8 and 35/2.0 M-Hexanons @ good rates and obviously couldn't resist - that's just my luck...

When the kit arrived, I was positively surprised about the built quality of the Bessa R. From what I was reading, I expected a flimsy, plasticky camera. The Bessa R is lightweight, but does in no way feel flimsy; actually, it is a pleasure to carry around all day. The viewfinder is as good as my Hexar's and certainly much better than on any compact rangefinder or FSU camera I looked through. And yes, I cleaned the finders of my Revue 400 SE and my Moskva 5.

When I got the test film back, I was very pleased with the results of both the 35/2.5 and 25/4.0. Wide open or stopped down, both lenses are sharp. Period.
The 25/4.0 is very prone to flare, if the sun is just outside the frame. As long as the sun is within the frame, it's quite ok - sample pics to follow.

Well, I decided to not put the Bessa R on the bay, but keep it as a nice, lightweight travel kit for the times and areas when and where I do not want to carry the Hexar RF.
My advice is: Get the Bessa R as long as it's still available. You shouldn't be disappointed.

Best regards,
Uwe


Bessa R with Skopar 35/2.5 stopped down:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45821&stc=1&d=1180879431

Bessa R with Skopar 35/2.5 wide open:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45820&stc=1&d=1180879431

[Uwe_Nds]

Here's some pictures taken with the 25/4.0 checking for flare:

The 25/4.0 in my opinion deals quite well with lightsources inside the frame:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45928&stc=1&d=1181108158

However, with the sun slightly outside the frame, there's a lot of flare; also mind your finger so that it does not appear in the bottom of the frame :bang:. That's something I still have to get used to when using wideangles:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=45927&stc=1&d=1181108158

[tedwhite]

That's a classy pub. I wish we had places like it in the US. (Maybe we do - I just don't know where they are).

[atelier7]

anyone else feel the need to buy a backup bessa r for your current one?
i have this nagging thought that one day, current discontinued stock is going to be sold out and i won't be able to replace the humble camera that could!

[tedwhite]

Apropos of your question, atelier7, there's a guy selling an M4-2 in Classifieds because, according to what he wrote, since he got a Bessa R he hasn't been using the Leica much, and is selling it so he can buy another Bessa R before they go out of production.

I'm looking to buy another, myself. I'm also coveting my friend's R3A, but of course then we're talking relatively serious money.

[zuikologist]

I have had mine for about three months now. It is the first rangefinder I have ever owned, and am loving shooting and processing film again, although it took some practice to get used to the metal film reels again!

In addition to freelance work I do for papers, (all digital) I have three long term doc projects on the go, and I am only using the Bessa on those projects. It is great coming home after a day of shooting with 3-4 rolls of film, that have "good" shots on them, as apposed to downloading 200-300 images from my digital SLRS that I was doing before.

As far as value, I dont thing anything can come close to touching it. I bought mine second hand, and spent $350 CDN for the camera and the skopar 35. I will keep this thing for ever, and it will be the first camera my kids will use if they ever show an interest.

IMO a rangefinder is documentary photographer's tool. I love the feel, the sound. and the pure simplicity of them.

Someone in this thread mentioned using the brown half case, I do too. It reduces the sound of the shutter a little bit, plus I like the feel of it.

I have always wanted a Leica, but I just dont think I can justify the cost. If this thing goes in the drink, it's not the end of the world. I wouldnt be happy, but at least the fishee's wont be looking at a $3000 camera and lens!

I am also impressed with the quality out of that lens! The contrast and sharpness is incredible.

Without a doubt, one of the best little camera's to come along in a long time, and it is great to see the interest in film and RF's again, dare I say film is becoming in-vogue again?

RF's rule!

I lke the way this thread keeps coming back for more!

Mark - nice work on your website, especially the family farming and native day series.

[Nokton48]

anyone else feel the need to buy a backup bessa r for your current one?
i have this nagging thought that one day, current discontinued stock is going to be sold out and i won't be able to replace the humble camera that could!


-Yes, I felt that way, so I bought a second one.

[brachal]

anyone else feel the need to buy a backup bessa r for your current one?
i have this nagging thought that one day, current discontinued stock is going to be sold out and i won't be able to replace the humble camera that could!


-Yes, I felt that way, so I bought a second one.

I did the same thing.

[Spider67]

Very comforting words especially if you have a Bessa R coming and you browse through your M39 (=FSU)lenses anxiously!
Makes me really eager to try it out as soon as it comes!

[pesphoto]

When my Bessa R went in for repair recently I felt kinda lost for the week and a half it took to get it back. Luckily I found a local repair guy in Providence.

[Morca007]

I just received my R today, and used to it to document a friend's birthday, my initial impressions:
-Size, technically, it is longer, and taller than my Nikon FG, and almost the same depth (including lens), but it just seems smaller.
-Weight, It is heavier than I expected it to be, from people's comments, but, seriously, how heavy are your cameras if this seems too light? This is just about the perfect heft for me.
-Ergonomics/build, I can grip it very well with my Brown leather half-case. It feels very nice, and when brought up to my eye, the viewfinder is huge, with nice, bright framelines. The frameline selector on top is very smart, and easy to use, and the right side controls are also nice, though the shutter speed dial is a tad stiff. The only thing I would change would be to make a larger rangefinder patch.
-Noise, definately quiter than the mirror slap on my FG, but not really quiter than my N80, just a different sound, not loud.

So far, I love it!

[patrickhh]

Hi, I also joined the Bessa-R fanclub recently. Got it at a good price, used, but almost as new, bundled with a Ultron 35/1.7.
The same day, I got a Jupiter-8 from a local collector, in almost excellent condition.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1086/888213676_eacf9947e5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrickhh/888213676/)

I got into rangefinder world a few months ago, as I bought a FED-2 with Industar-26M just out of curiosity. I didn't really expect to get one single decent picture out of it, but found the pictures that came out of this camera, especially the bokeh, simply amazing! I have several decent prime lenses for my Pentax SLRs but never seen a bokeh like that! So I decided I need a more modern and smooth running camera body, with TTL metering and without the FED-2 quirks, for those nice russian lenses.

I shot one test roll yet and I think that I like the Bessa-R a lot. The film advance and rewind is not quite as smooth as on my mechanical Pentax SLRs from the 70's. But I think I can live with that. Can't wait to scan the first negatives! :-D

[tedwhite]

Patrick: Hard to beat those Pentax Spotmatics for smooth advance and rewind.

I have three bodies and they all are equal in the smooth department. I was looking at your website. What camera and lens are you using for the wide angle photographs? (Very nice, by the way).

[patrickhh]

Patrick: Hard to beat those Pentax Spotmatics for smooth advance and rewind.

I have three bodies and they all are equal in the smooth department. I was looking at your website. What camera and lens are you using for the wide angle photographs? (Very nice, by the way).
Thank you Ted,
I used a KX and a smc-M 28/2.8 for the most recent wide angle pix. I have no Spotmatic but I heard that KX and MX are essentially Spotmatics with a bayonet mount.

[tedwhite]

"...essentially Spotmatics with a bayonet mount."

Yes, that's right. The sole drawback to these cameras is the lack of lens variety that the M42 screwmount bodies have.

[Seele]

"...essentially Spotmatics with a bayonet mount."

Yes, that's right. The sole drawback to these cameras is the lack of lens variety that the M42 screwmount bodies have.

Ted,

Not quite...

When the K-series came out there were three models: K2, KX and KM; the K2 was with aperture-priority exposure automation, the KM was really a Spotmatic F in K mount, and the KX is more or less like the KM but with full-information viewfinder. The KX and KM were killed off early, and the K2 was joined by the K2 DMD, as the M-series came out. The K1000 was meant to be a stop-gap model but surprised everyone by outlasting them all.

Pentax was well aware of the problem with establishing the K-mount so it was designed to take an adapter to accept M42 lenses, provided that the lenses can be switched to manual diaphragm. The adapter sits inside the body's bayonet mount so cannot be taken out by pressing the lens release button, which is unlike that for the Praktica B-series, and for that matter, the adapter issued by Leica when they switched from screw mount to bayonet.

[tedwhite]

Thanks for the information. As for the adapter, is it like the one I have for my istDS that comes with a little tool?

[patrickhh]

Thanks for the information. As for the adapter, is it like the one I have for my istDS that comes with a little tool? Should be the same one. There are different types of M42/PK adapters, BTW, one that completely "hides" inside the camera bayonet, and the cheaper ones with a "collar" that alter the registration depth, preventing the lens from focusing to infinity.

[tedwhite]

I have the actual Pentax-made adapter, and it "hides," so I can use all my Super Takumar M42 glass. My favorite, using the adapter, is the 300/4.0 as it becomes a 450 on my DSLR. Great for bird photography.

Ted

[italocam]

I started using the Voigtlander system with the Bessa L, went on to the T and now own a R4A.The journey began with the L as a second body to my Leica lenses. I then purchased the Bessa T because of the focusing and the exterior meter. I found that feature very useful for off the hip shooting with my 21 mm.I then sold my 21mm finder , T body and bought the R4A because of the interior 21mm frame lines. I truly like and enjoy using my Voigtlander but the one peeve I do have is the loud shutter, other than that it FANTASTICO.Italo C.

[tedwhite]

Italo C.

I agree. We could all do without the voz alto shutter.

Ted

[robert blu]

main reason I bought a Bessa R was the curiosity for a very wide angle lens, which was the VC 15 mm. Later I changed it for the 12mm. Meantime I realized it is a camera not too big, not to heavy, I could bring with me almost always. For this reason I bought the 35 mm (1,7) VC and took camera with me during business trips (withou having my boss thinking I was on holidays!)
next step was to buy a closer lens and bought the 75mm/2,5 VC (i think now it had been better to buy a 50mm, more versatile). To finish the story, now a few years later the Bessa R is the most used of my cameras (and now I do not travel so much for business!). For me only one complain: changing lens, sometimes take too much time ! for sure an M mount would be quicker. May be in futur an R2 M, with a 50mm, maybe...
I like the bessa ...
rob

[Morca007]

Just a comment, I haven't had it long enough (I feel) for a full review:
Those darn strap lugs really are a pain. You don't realize how much so until you actually try carrying it around on your chest or around your shoulder!

[tedwhite]

Matt, you must get the side grip at once. it has its own strap lug and will straighten out the way the camera hangs immediately. (See my avatar).

Hope you like your purchase otherwise. Oh, almost forgot. While waiting for the side grip, I took off the neck strap and fitted instead a Gordy's wrist strap. Worked fine for the interim.

The only problem with the wrist strap is that you can't let go of the camera, as you can with a camera on a neck strap. It's always fastened to your wrist!

Ted

[Morca007]

I just hold my camera and wrap the neck strap around my wrist.
Where can I get a hold of the side grip?

EDIT: Oh, and I do love my bessa other than that.

[pesphoto]

Cameraquest sells 'em. I got mine from there and it works like a charm.

[yojuan]

Hi—

I have a Voightlander Bessar-R that I purchased new a little over a year ago. I’ve been very happy w/ it, but the other day I noticed that the red light inside the camera that displays when aperture and shutter speed line up doesn’t work. I tried replacing the batteries w/ new ones and that has not fixed the problem. I’m not a very mechanical person, and I was wondering if there’s something else I can try before taking my camera to a repair shop that doesn’t require me dismantling the camera. Perhaps there’s something simple that I’m not thinking of?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
jon

[dan denmark]

i have the R2A, the R4M and the T amongst an assortment of CV lenses and am never without one in the car. easy to use, rugged and the glass is fantastic. smooth and quiet, people don't think it is a real camera so great for street work. i've had an M3 before and can't see the difference in the production of what i do, mainly art photography and raw work.

[tedwhite]

Yojuan: E-mail Stephen Gandy and describe the problem. He may be able to point you to an easy fix.

Or he may say, "Well, that's the death knoll for that camera. Would you like to buy an R4M?"

Ted ;--)

[newspaperguy]

Hey Ted (older than me by 3)

Maybe the old 'smack-on-the-bottom' cure that
works so well with jammed winders on the R?

Oh yeah... I'm back.

[tedwhite]

Welcome back, Rick. Rick is the guy that loaned me my first RF camera years ago (a Kiev 4AM) and got me into this whole RF mess!

[Big Hairy Bee]

I went down to Collectible Camera today. They had a Bessa R silver that seemed like new in the box with the warranty card even. It did not seem plasticky at all the the viewfinder was excellent. At $250 I took it home. With that finder it may compete with my IIIf for use, especially if speed is an issue. I was saving for an M body--but not any more!

[tedwhite]

Congratulations. And yes, the viewfinder is simply amazing. The IIIf is a jewel of a camera (I had one but couldn't see through well enough - but since then I've had cataract surgery and maybe I should look through one again) but the Bessa R is so much more user-friendly: multiple framelines, window in the door so you can see what sort of film is inside, great meter, not a bottom loader, etc.

Plus, in LTM, you've got access to a huge range of top-notch older lenses.

[tedwhite]

Just bought an L for $95 shipped. When it arrives I'll put the 21/4 on it (along with the viewfinder) and just leave it on. That'll free up my R for other lenses.

Still saving for an R4A.

[Bingley]

And I just bought my first R (thanks, bobkonos!)! I shot w/ this particular camera last month, and saw what all the fuss w/ the bright viewfinder was about. I got it w/ my "new" Ultron 35 in mind (thanks, photobizz), but last night put a Canon 50/1.8 on it, and I have to say that looks like a terrific kit.

My Canon P and 7 are already sulking...

[rogerchristian]

Yojuan:

Is there any chance you installed the new battery upside down?

[hugivza]

I bought my first R about a month ago complete with a 3.5/2.4 Color Skopar, just prior to going on a business trip to the wilds of Borneo (don't ask!). The camera was fantastic to lug around, and easy to shoot in less than ideal conditions such as photographing process plant in the wet. I am looking for another, particularly as my IIa's appear to be slow movers up Henry's list. It so nice not to have to worry about another TOC viewfinder for the 35.

[Robin P]

I had a Bessa R for a few months and really regret selling it, unfortunately the ups & downs of my finances mean that cameras come & go....
Very nice viewfinder, not too big, just sufficient build quality, not too loud, excellent meter good enough for slides.
Just for fun here are some sample shots taken with the CV 75mm and 35mm f2.5 "Classic".

Cheers, Robin

[tedwhite]

Haven't used mine for a couple of months, or thereabouts. Been busy working, and, yeah, what's a guy my age doing working anyway.

So I encountered this thread today and immediately exhumed my Bessa R from my soft briefcase and shot off a few frames. Still a delight, especially the top-notch rangefinder.

I've now got also a Bessa L that I use exclusively with my 21/4, and the 35/2.5 spends most of its time on the R, though sometimes I change it out for the Canon 50/1.8. In all, the two bodies and three lenses make a nice kit.

[ZeissFan]

The Bessas are an excellent route into rangefinder photography, especially for those who don't have a boatload of cash to spend.

I no longer have my Bessa-R, although I still have a Rollei 35 RF, a near-clone of the Bessa-R2.

By the way, the new URL is http://elekm.net/bessa-r/.

[chris00nj]

I love my Bessa R. Perhaps it's because I've only had a couple other cameras, but it's great. I like the look, the feel, and the usability.

I like the simple built in TTL. That way I can get a read off of something, make a quick adjustment. My other cameras with Av, or Tv, if you want to take a reading off something other than what the lens is pointed at, it gets difficult.

[tennis-joe]

I used my Bessa R while traveling in Italy. I used it with a Canon 35f1.8 and was very pleased with the results. If I don't use it for a while the light meter doesn't work until I clean the battery connections. If I just look for the meter reading then it doesn't come up for a while. I don't know if this is battery drain or what the problem. Continous use in Italy the problem did not come up, only from nouse at times.
Any ideas from anyone?
Joe

[tedwhite]

It could be due to the humidity in Houston. Years ago, when I was photographing in Vera Cruz, Mexico I had similar problems with the usually bullet-proof Pentax Spotmatics, and I was always cleaning the meter contacts. After I returned to the dry southwest the problem disappeared and never returned.

[tennis-joe]

Thanks for the advice on the batteries and I will keep it in mind.
Joe

[tedwhite]

Well, I still have my Bessa R, and use it frequently. The ONLY problem I've had with it occurs at the end of a roll, when I wind on and the film advance lever stops half-way through its cycle. I find I must push in the rewind release pin on the bottom plate and then continue to follow through with the film advance lever. If I don't do that, the release doesn't seem to fully release, and twice I've torn the film loose from the spool inside the cassette. This means fiddling inside a change bag.

Despite the comments about plastic, I find the Bessa R to be a well-built, durable and reliable camera. I have considered selling it and upgrading to an R4M, as the longest lens I have is a 50/1.8, but until I have the money, I'm quie happy with my Bessa R.

[filmfan]

I am currently saving $ for an M3 + 50mm summicron as 50mm is my go to focal length for the most part (and I have a Hexar AF for 35mm). However, as the lens is more important to me than the camera, and seeing that I wont have enough money for BOTH M3 + 'cron right away, I was thinking of picking up one of these Bessa R bodies to tide me over until I can afford an M3. I have previously owned a Bessa R2 and liked it until it broke (but the breakage was clearly my own fault and has nothing to do with camera durability). Who knows, I may just end up keeping the Bessa R.

How much do they run these days used anyways?

[Bingley]

A Bessa R in good condition goes for $200-$250 USD these days; an R3A in good condition will run you around $400-$450 USD.

[newspaperguy]

Like Ted, I'm still working (Hi Ted)... and still using my Bessa R, usually with the Canon 50/1.8, sometimes with the CV 35/2.5 Skopar, and occasionally with some FSU glass. Always does what I want it to. Can't ask for much more than that.

[raid]

The Bessa R is an excellent camera for LTM lenses. The price is still low, and what you get is quality. If you want extra ruggedness, get a Leica.

[Sonnar2]

The Bessa-R IS a rugged camera. I have a small LOWE bag where I take it, with a couple of lenses, for hiking, biking, riding... few people will treat valuable LEICAs this way (REAL photog.'s of course will...)
I made about as much pictures with my Bessa R as with my other 50-70 cameras in total!
It has one of the most accurate meters, or/and shutters. The shutter is a masterpiece (although it's noise). With such a shutter the whole camera can't be bad. But the Bessa R has a gret FINDER too. It focusses lenses far beyond their precision limits (i.e. my Canon 85/1.8)
The only thing about the Bessa R is, when temp. is below 0°C always take a pair of spare batteries. on the other hand: if you missed to have them, you just lose the meter --- as opposed to a OM-4 which eats the batteries off every few months even when sitting in a dark bag and DON'T WORK AT ALL without them..!
I personally LOVE screwmount lenses: I still prefer to change them in winter, hands in gloves, to any bayonet mount. And caps are smaller. Good when storage is limited. ALL the later Bessa's are M-mount. So what? You need a Bessa R (or a Canon RF which is heavier and misses the TTL meter).
The polycarbonate body itself don't make the camera inferior to the new Bessa R3M. The metal outer shelf just adds more weight, and the newer rewind crank is ridicoulus (and obstruct stuffing the camera into a slim bag). So MY vote of all CV cameras is for the Bessa R, leave alone their historical evidence (RF renaissance etc.).
A strong BUY for a user. It's a user camera, so they all will fade away someday. And there is nothing to replace them.

[watchyourbackgrounds]

I agree with SONAR-from-Germany. I have two Rs (and a Zeikon, and a Leica M4-P), and I've got to say it's---well, I got the others later because I believed all the anti-plastic/not made for a lifetime noise I heard. And it may be true, but like Sonnar, I treat mine hard---drops, bounces, rain---and they keep going. I like the self-timer, too. Family pictures come easy with it, and it's nice to be in front of the lens now and then, at least for posterity.
Screw-mounts are easy. The camera handles wonderfully. It's light in the hand AND WHAT'S WRONG WIDDAT? and I'm so, so comfortable with it. I doubt many owners will sell their Rs. Why would they? Great camera. It got me into RF, and a Zeikon and Leica later, it's still my go-to. Never a problem, always a comfort.

[selloutboy]

I was fortunate enough to get to feel and tinker with one during Chinese New Year and I was very impressed with the build and the frame-lines!

It made my FED 5V look really bad (although I still love it :)
and all the positive feedback on this thread convinced me to start saving up my allowance for that Bessa R :D

Good luck to me :D

[Sonnar2]

We already have the same situation that we had 1999, before the advent of the BESSA R: NO screwmount cameras newly available.
These are USERS cameras, they doing the work when the expensive cameras sitting on the shelf, one day most of them may be worn out.
So I bought a spare. Yet they are cheap.

[filmfan]

I just bought a silver Bessa R w/ Ultron 35mm f/1.7 together for around $300 USD. I am very excited. I am going to grab a side-grip and softie-release as well. Why not?

[remegius]

I just bought a silver Bessa R w/ Ultron 35mm f/1.7 together for around $300 USD. I am very excited. I am going to grab a side-grip and softie-release as well. Why not?

I don't blame you for being excited, it's a great camera...you're going to love it. I've had mine for about a year now (got it from an RFF member) and have a 50mm 1.5 Nokton permanently ensconced on the front end. Have fun, and give us your impressions when it arrives.

Cheers...

Rem

[paulfish4570]

strill much enjoying mine. a canon 50/1.8 usually is at home on the front. what a nifty, compact, lightweight rig ...

[tedwhite]

The ONLY problem I've ever had with my Bessa R is the rewind process. After tearing factory film loose from the cassette a few times, I finally learned (from folks here at RFF) about pushing in the rewind button, then finishing the cycle of the film-advance lever.

However, even after doing that, it's still a relatively stiff rewind in comparison to my other 35mm cameras. But it always works so I guess I should just shut up and learn to live with it, right?

An easier solution has been to rewind at frame 23 rather than continue until the advance lever freezes midway through its stroke.

I have three lenses for my Bessa R: Canon 50/1.8; Color Skopar 35/2.5; and Ultron 28/1.9. The easiest lens to use - in terms of finding the focus and f-stop ring without looking - is the Color Skopar, and that's probably because of the tab. It's the lens most used. If I had the Bessa 4A I'd no doubt use the Ultron more as then I could see real framelines instead of having to take a leap of faith.

[P. Lynn Miller]

I got my first Bessa R... a beautiful silver edition to complement my Bessa T... what a great little camera...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1035/4600089109_31d2644923.jpg

The Bessa R was bought to be the permanent rear lens cap for my Rigid Heliar 50mm f2.0... while I own a Leica... there is something really wonderful about the cheap and cheerful Bessa R... combined with the wonderful LTM offerings from Voigtländer... they make wonderful, capable photographic tools... shame that LTM bodies and lens seem on the way out again...

I am surely not opposed to adding a few more Bessa R's to my arsenal... maybe a black version...

[pepper]

I'm very lucky in that I inherited my Fathers Bessa R along with an awful lot of other cameras including many Leicas. When I received it, he had been using a Canon 50mm f1.8 and I wasn't that happy with the rangefinder coupling so threw a Jupiter 8 on and took another test film and was amazed at the way the pictures came out, since then this has become my favourite lens and stays on this camera 90% of the time.

I also had a fair amount of M mount lenses and decided to purchase a Bessa R2a to enable me to use the 35mm f2.0 Summicron which was among the collection and since then I've built up a little set of camera and lens including a lovely Jupiter 9 and a 50mm Summicron collapsible Leica lens, I manage to squeeze all this into a Leica Cl case so as its so easy to grab, this set tends to be with me 90% of the time. I have the CL M2 and other Leica cameras but these Bessas make everything so simple with their bright rangefinders and simple ttl light metering.

[le vrai rdu]

Spend a few days on a trawler in North Sea with a Bessa R

even it some plates are made of plastic, it is solid and reliable, the brightness of the finder is very usefull and the little camera turned to be a great one.

So don't worry about people telling you it is crap while with there leica they don't dare to portrait a pot of flower even hipshot, this camera is worth being used :)

The only trouble I had was with the LTM mount wich is not as easy as a M mount when you have to change a lens