Bessa Recommendations

[pcfranchina]

I am looking to make a purchase..... Which model do you recommend? And what is a goos starter lens? Im not on a tight budget but Id like to stay in the $500 or so range. Is the R2 worth the extra? or go as low as the L?
Mostly be doin street and city type photography. Thanks in advance!

It depends on how much you want to spend. It also depends on which type of lens or lenses you want. If it's only a "normal" lens, go with an older 70's rangefinder with a fixed lens.

[pcfranchina]

I already have a Canonet 28 and a QL17 GIII. Love my GIII.

[Bryan Lee]

Check out the sponser links and check the Bessa Forum here at this website. There is loads of info on every model to get you started on choosing. I like the old R2 with a 35/1.7 or the R3a with the 40/1.4 , good luck.

Well, the cat's _ss is the Bessa R2A/R3A, but just the body is a tad over $500 from Cameraquest. Also the Rollei 35RF (a bessa R2-like version) is selling for pretty cheap right now at B&H. Let me see..., yes, $499.95 USD.

[Bill K.]

You wont go wrong with the Bessa R & CV 35/2.8 deal from Cameraquest.

It has a classic feel, is a well built modern camera, fully manual with a great meter.

I got mine in the spring of 2005 and really like it.

Regards,

Bill K.

[pvdhaar]

If you're cheap like me, you could go for a T model. No, not the Ford, the Bessa-T! Rangefinder with 1.5x magnification that allows the use of the fastest M-mount lenses out there if you're interested in low light street photography. But alas, no built in viewfinder, you'd need external ones just like on the L. Great starter, and currently at close-out prices.

[Jonathan_100]

I've been thinking about this for a while as well. I've narrowed it down to the R or R2a. The aperture priority function of the latter is very appealing. And those fast 35s only sweeten the deal.

However, Frank has a good point on the old 70s fixed lens. I've been shooting a Yashica GSN for five years. It's my go-to camera for low light streets and back room bars. The thing is i distructable and the meter is spot on. The only draw back with the GSN is that there's no shutter control.

If it were me (and it will be eventually), I'd get a Bessa rig with a fast 35.

Jonathan

[cbass]

Given the fact that you already own and use a Canonet GIII, I'd stick with that for street work and save my $$$. But that's just me, I'm what they call "frugal". Others make good points about the 70's-era fixed lens RFs.

That said, the fully mechanical Bessa R kit at $399 from CameraQuest is a good bargain if you're itching to try interchangeable lenses. You'll also have a hunderd bucks left over for film, processing and a wrist strap. I've owned the R since last spring and it's become my all-around film camera.

Good luck with your decision.

[Jonathan_100]

Chris,

Are you shooting a 35 pancake? I'm curious as to how different it is from the 35C.

Jonathan

[cbass]

Jonathan -- I use the 35 Classic. I've never used the 35P but I thought I read somewhere that the optical formula was the same for each lens. And from what I've seen the 35P isn't too much smaller than the 35C. The 35C is pretty darn small but the focus lever makes it easy to use. It's a nice travel lens.

[pcfranchina]

Anyone know if its just the silver one thats $399 with the lens?

[mongo141]

Yes its just the silver/chrome? one witha 35C lens.. Nice camera, I just got a black one in mint- w/ the 35C lens and I love it. First RF that I owned that isn't at least 50 years old. Dave

[pcfranchina]

Still a cool lookin camera. Are they plasticy?

[mongo141]

No not at all, I thought it would be, but it has the same feel as my wifes EOS 7, feels solid to me and handles nicely. I can use all my FSU lenses except the 35mm and while the FED 50 collapsable will mount if you are Very carefull I won't use it, The Industar 22 is too long. The Chrome version "looks" kind plastic but feels the same. Its going to take me some time to get used to seeing meter info in the viewfinder but it is sure big and Bright compaired to the FSU stuff . Dave

[dostacos]

Originally Posted by pcfranchina

I am looking to make a purchase..... Which model do you recommend? And what is a goos starter lens? Im not on a tight budget but Id like to stay in the $500 or so range. Is the R2 worth the extra? or go as low as the L?
Mostly be doin street and city type photography. Thanks in advance!

I love my Bessa R. You can get one for $399 from either CAMERQUEST or PHOTOVILLAGE including the 35/2.5 lens [ I really like this combination, for my current shooting needs]

or the Bessa R with the non-coupled 25/4 lens for $449.

I like the all manual type camera so I am partial to the R.

both will fit your current price range,

Dan

[Gerry M]

If you can handle the extra $$$, the R2a/R3a are really great cameras. The AE is really nice when sudden opportunities pop up. I'm very happy with my R2a. Good hunting. Regards, Gerry

[Huck Finn]

Pcfranchina, since you already have 2 Canonets, why are you looking to add another camera? The Canonets have the best features of rangefinders. They are compact, well built, & quiet. They also have lenses that are good enough for almost anything you want to do - including low light photography with the QL17 GIII. Mine was stolen last summer & I still miss it.

[ClaremontPhoto]

I'm very happy with my R3A and 40mm f1.4, but still find that it's a lot slower than my Leica Minilux for street and urban landscape.

[Bertram2]

Originally Posted by Bill K.

You wont go wrong with the Bessa R & CV 35/2.8 deal from Cameraquest.
Bill K.

I'd second this suggestion for the best starter kit.

bertram

[wrenhunter]

I just got the silver R kit from CQ and like it. Grain of salt: this is my first RF camera, and I've only shot two rolls thus far. But it does feel solid -- more solid than I thought it would after reading the "well, it's not a Leica" reviews. CQ has pretty fast shipping, too, if you're hoping to have it before Xmas.

[dostacos]

Originally Posted by pcfranchina

I am looking to make a purchase..... Which model do you recommend? And what is a goos starter lens? Im not on a tight budget but Id like to stay in the $500 or so range. Is the R2 worth the extra? or go as low as the L?
Mostly be doin street and city type photography. Thanks in advance!

I am struggling with this too. only I am looking for a second body

my pro/con on the various bodies your milage may vary, anybody else want to add to my pro con, knock yourselves out

Bessa L
Pro:
1. Inexpensive, $99 for the body or $314 including a 25/4 wide angle
2. TTL metering
3. Good second body
4. Uses all the screw mount lenses
5. small package

Con:
1. No viewfinder/needs aux viewfinders
2. Cannot use bayonet mount lenses
3. limited lenses [past a 35mm is probably pushing useable size]

Bessa T
Pro:
1. Pro inexpensive [$185] bayonet mount camera body
2. TTL metering
3. good second body, ok for prime body
4. trigger winder available
5. can use all Voightlander lenses with adaptors
Con:
1. Needs aux viewfinders
2. separate viewfinder and rangefinder make a slower camera
3. Discontinued
4. hmm, things are looking good for a second body….

Bessa R
Pro:
1. Inexpensive $249 or $ 399 including a 35/2.5 lenses
2. uses all screw mount lenses [well not all the Russian ones  ]
3. adjustable frame lines 35mm 50mm 75mm 90mm
4. TTL metering
5. all mechanical camera

Con:
1. cannot use bayonet lenses, screw mount make for slow lens changes
2. all mechanical camera [if you want more expensive controls go to a R2A or R3A]
3. ok that covers my complaints about the R

Bessa R2
Pro:
1. Bayonet mount version of the R [but said to be more robust]
2. trigger winder available
3. all mechanical
4. metal instead of plastic body parts
5. olive color available, strong “splatter” paint finish
Con:
1. At $599 the most expensive Bessa available
2. discontinued
3. silver never available

Bessa R2A
Pro:
1. uses all Voightlander lenses with a adaptors as necessary
2. AE exposure with plus/minus two stops exposure compensation $539 black $579 grey is less than the R2
3. splatter finish
4. Excellent prime body choice
Con:
1. AE exposure control, IF you don’t want it then it is not worth it
2. .7 mag viewfinder [gotta put something]
3. Price, Get an R with the 35mm and almost have enough left for a 25/4
4. expensive as a back up body

Bessa R3A
Pro:
1. uses all Voightlander lenses with a adaptors as necessary
2. AE exposure with plus/minus two stops exposure compensation
3. $539 black $579 grey is less than the R2
4. splatter finish
5. same price as the 2A
6. 1:1 viewfinder. The R3A has the best finder ever for 50, 75, and 90 framelines amongst film cameras [per cameraquest]
Con:
1. AE exposure control
2. viewfinder lines are 40/50/75/90 instead of 35/50/75/90
3. again price IF you do not want the AE exposure control
4. expensive as backup body


So, as a first camera I personally would rate them as:

1st Bessa R2
2nd Bessa R
3rd Bessa T
4th Bessa L

R2A R3A are not in the running do to the AE control

the last two presume that they will go from prime to back up body at some point

OR if you prefer AE control
1st Bessa R3A
2nd Bessa R2A
3rd Bessa R2 or R tie, depending on desire for bayonet mount V. screw mount and depth of pockets
4th Bessa T
5th Bessa L

All info and prBices come from Cameraquest

heavy sigh.... I am having a GAS attack for a back up body

[Theo-Prof]

I own the Bessa-R with 35/2.5 and 15/4.5. I have been wanting to get the CV 25/4 for a few months. I also want to get a second body so I could shoot B&W and Color, or have fast and slow film loaded at the same time. So, for me, the L at $69 with the purchase of a lens (in my case a 25/4) is very tempting, especially since I mostly use wides.

Kevin

[pvdhaar]

Dan/Dostacos made a very fine overview of the PROs and CONs for the various Bessa models, but forgot to mention the IMHO single most thrilling aspect of the T, and that's the 1.5x RF magnification. Makes focusing a breeze.. accurate enough for the longest and fastest lenses available..

[taffer]

Kudos for that review Dostacos ! The only one I own is the T, and I admit I'm very happy with it as I realized that when using wide angles I didn't even use the finder many times, so it's a pretty robust and low profiled thing, yet affordable enough.

Yet, as Peter says, that 1.5x RF is a sweet thing to have when you're trying to focus a 50/1.2 or a tele lens wide open, this camera has given a new dimension to my 85/2 as well.