Bessa L Question

[GeneW]

I'm starting to give some preliminary thought to that beautiful CV 75. When I looked it up on CameraQuest, I noticed Stephen Gandy is making this offer:

"Bessa L $85 or $69 with any new Voigtlander Lens! "

I know the L is a bit of an oddball, but wondered if any of you think it's worth the additional $$ ? I suspect there must be some Bessa L users here who could comment ...

Gene

[RML]

The Bessa L is a wonderful and cheap camera BUT it will be most useful with wide angle lenses, not with long lenses, because of the inability to focus the longer lenses accurately (as you probably know).

Stick the CV 25/4 on the L and you have a wonderful street shooting device. And at $69 it's hard to beat.

[rover]

Ditto... The Bessa T would be a better match for the CV 75.

[Scarpia]

I have two Bessa L's and I love them. In addition to the CV 25 f4 I have used them with a 50mm and 58mm Helios44 with an adapter. Much like using a viewfinder camera without a rangefinder. If you are a good judge of distance and don't use the lenses wide open you should'nt have a problem and you can't beat the price. Of course you need an auxilliary viewfinder.
Kurt M.

[GeneW]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was thinking that, for the price, it might be a useful thing to have for my CV 21/4 and finder. Not convinced though that I want to carry around two bodies at the same time. I like to keep my photoshoot sequences on the same roll of film.

Gene

[That Guy]

I just got back from a 5-day backpacking trip on which I took the L. Folks are always talking about the "ideal" travel camera. For me the L and 25/4 make a great combination of light weight and top quality glass, perfect for backcountry travel. The perspective on the lens is good for most shots I take. And the lens gives very little distortion. I'd say I use the L about as much as my Bessa R, and for me, that's saying something.

It's an oddity, yes. But a fine casual shooter.

[GeneW]

Thanks Chris. In the end I passed on the Bessa L when I ordered my CV 75/2.5 -- Cameraquest only had silver bodies left and I prefer black.

Gene

[Doug]

Hmm, an L for $69 is awfully hard to pass up. I do already have a black L though, that at the time was $100 when bought with the 25mm lens. That sure is a great combination, too. Could I use a silver one too, the different color helping to distinguish one from the other? Maybe along with one of those sweet 21mm Skopars...

[michael]

Just in case you're interested: Robert White here in the UK is offering a Bessa R2 for GBP 336 and throws in a Bessa L for free.

The L works wonderfully with the 21 mm CV lens + viewfinder.

yrs

Michael

[rogerchristian]

I have had an R with several lenses for several years.

I think the L with a 25/4 is a GREAT idea. Light, simple and it seems a perfect combo for all around photos.

The R w/35/1.7 is my camera of choice, but there are times when traveling that the L/25/4 would be wonderful. Now if I can only get my friend to part with his outfit at a reasonable price.....

[kxl]

Originally Posted by GeneW

When I looked it up on CameraQuest, I noticed Stephen Gandy is making this offer:

"Bessa L $85 or $69 with any new Voigtlander Lens! "

Gene

Do you have the specific page for that offer? I couldn't find it on Stephen's site. I may be interested in that offer.

Thanks.

[dan denmark]

i have the L with the CV 15 and no VF and it is rarely taken as a camera when i'm out there with it on the streets. definitely an essential for the toolbox. i have some shots of this combo on flickr and just generally "pointing" the camera carefully at my subjects and i always get good results. a bit of scanning and cropping in PSCS3 maybe but not essential.

-dd

[oscroft]

Do you have the specific page for that offer?

Check the date of GeneW's post - it was four years ago

[dan denmark]

hey, that's funny. i guess i was more interested in commenting re the "question" than looking at dates. but good call. still like my 15/L combo.

-dd

[kxl]

Originally Posted by oscroft

Check the date of GeneW's post - it was four years ago

Arrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh

[HeywoodIndustries]

"Arrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh"

your best bet is photovillage.com. new L bodies for $129 or something like that.