Buying a Bessa R

jonasv · 02-20-2006

So, I've decided to take the plunge and buy a Bessa R. I've been toying with all kinds of fixed-lens rangefinders and an fsu camera up till now, but for various reasons I want an interchangeable-lens rangefinder and decided on a Bessa R with 35mm Skopar.

I've found (what I think is) an amazing deal. Over here in Europe, Bessa R's usually go for about € 200, and the 35mm f/2.5 classics for about the same price. I found someone offering me a black Bessa R, a black 35mm f/2.5 classic and a black Jupiter-8 50mm f/2, all nearly mint, for €260. He bought it in 2004 and shot only one roll with it (why, I don't know - perhaps he went digital). Since he lives in Holland, I'm going over by train coming Friday, and I will try out the camera in the railway station for just a couple of minutes before buying.

Now, since I have so little time to check the camera out completely (and of course no warranty buying secondhand), I'd like to be well-prepared and so I was wondering if you guys (and girls) could offer me some advice.

What are common problems with Bessa R's? What to look for? I've heard of the focus being misaligned, I won't have time to do extensive tests but I can check infinity focus by just pointing the camera at something really far away. If it turns out to be incorrectly aligned, how much would this cost to repair? I could try to lower the price a bit and have it repaired - I guess it would still be a good deal.

Any other specific problems that are common for the Bessa R or 35mm Skopar? (I won't bother checking the Jupiter-8, it may or may not be a good sample but it's basically free looking at the price of the whole package - I'm not much of a 50mm shooter so I'll probably test the lens and sell it afterwards).

Could anyone point me to an online Bessa R manual, so that I could get somewhat familiarised with it's controls and functions?

Thanks a bunch in advance. I'm really looking forward to owning this camera and lens combo!

jonasv · 02-20-2006

Perhaps some additional info - I plan on purchasing the side grip and the minisoftrelease from cameraquest, plus perhaps lens cap and shade if they are not included. I didn't want to purchase body and lens there because it's still a bit more expensive, especially because I didn't want the silver ones, plus taxes, shipping etc is quite a hassle.

I plan on sticking with just this 35mm Skopar for a long time. Contrary to my SLR system (two cameras, about ten lenses), I want a simple, small and unobtrusive one-camera-one-lens-combination that I can easily take with me and will deliver great results. I like the contrasty sharp look of the modern lenses, and 35mm is my favorite focal length, so I figure that Skopar will suit me well. In the future I might add a 75/2.5, or perhaps a lens for really low-light work - the 28/1.9 or the 40/1.4 (or is that only M-mount?), as to not double the focal lengths by buying the Ultron 35/1.7. I chose the 35mm Skopar over the 35mm Ultron because I prefer the added sharpness and contrast. Perhaps a 21/4 Skopar in the long run as well. But I plan to shoot the 35/2.5 for a long, long time before buying anything else!

Cheers!

rover · 02-20-2006

It sounds like the camera will be in excellent condition, so other than the alignment of the RF you should be good to go. You may want to test the meter vs another camera, though I expect that you will find a difference as the Bessa's meter pattern is heavily weighted to the lower portion of the center of the frame. You will learn how meter correctly with it.

Good luck.

jonasv · 02-20-2006

Thanks - you are right, it does sound as if it will be in excellent condition. But that's exactly what made me slightly nervous - why buy a Bessa and sell it after only one roll of film? I can't help but wonder if there is something wrong with the camera. Ah well, I'll check the obvious and hope for the best!

ClaremontPhoto · 02-20-2006

Leica technicians test the rangefinder at 1m, 10m and 1000m.

1m is when you pay, 10m is 2 seconds after you pay, and 1000m is when he's running into his bank with your money!

Kidding. Good luck and enjoy. Nice camera and lens.

Just to add: the extra bits and pieces you may want are readily available in Europe from Robert White.

ZeissFan · 02-20-2006

Aside from the rangefinder, the Bessa-R shouldn't have any other problems. The mechanics of the camera aren't that complex. It uses a mechanical Copal metal-bladed shutter -- very reliable and accurate.

Check the camera for the usual signs of being dropped. However, the seller sounds like an honest person, and if the camera has been used just once, it should be in excellent condition.

You'll have a great time with this combo. That's what I used for quite some time.

lubitel · 02-20-2006

Wow, what a deal!

about checking the infinity-focus: I read somewhere that the object has to be really far away like 2 km or so. if its just 100 m away the patch is not going to align exactly.

good luck

jonasv · 02-20-2006

Thanks for the responses! I feel comforted knowing that there aren't any common issues with the Bessas - the seller sounds like a good guy, and I'm pretty sure there won't be anything wrong with this Bessa specifically. I'm really looking forward to friday!

Jon, thanks for the heads-up on Robert White. I wasn't aware he had Voightländer accessories in stock as well - and at fair prices! Cameraquest accepts PayPal, which is a plus, but then again shipping inside Europe will be a bit cheaper - I'll see to that later.

BJ Bignell · 02-20-2006

If the viewfinder is misaligned, it's not a big deal to fix. I've had to adjust each Bessa twice in the last six months (and they're waiting for a third adjustment), because I'm a little rough and constant travelling can be especially hard.

If you're handy with a small screwdriver, and have a little patience, it can be done quite easily. There are instructions in the archive here, and elsewhere online. You'll find two conflicting sets of info, but don't worry; CV seems to have changed the design part way through early production, which isn't a big deal. If you don't want to try it yourself, I'd be glad to help you out.

Have fun,
BJ

jonasv · 02-20-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ Bignell

If the viewfinder is misaligned, it's not a big deal to fix. I've had to adjust each Bessa twice in the last six months (and they're waiting for a third adjustment), because I'm a little rough and constant travelling can be especially hard.

If you're handy with a small screwdriver, and have a little patience, it can be done quite easily. There are instructions in the archive here, and elsewhere online. You'll find two conflicting sets of info, but don't worry; CV seems to have changed the design part way through early production, which isn't a big deal. If you don't want to try it yourself, I'd be glad to help you out.

Have fun,
BJ

Thanks! I was a bit worried about doing it myself after reading some user comments, but I feel reassured now - I figure I can do it myself if it needs to be done.

I was looking for one for a long time, but still had some doubts - I hadn't yet seen one, only read about it - all of these quickly dissappeared when I held a Bessa R at the Antwerp RFF meet (it might've been yours even). It was heavier and sturdier than I exspected, the viewfinder was even brighter and more clear than I thought it would be, and it was slightly smaller than I exspected - yet still felt very comfortable in my hands.

I'm quite excited now, it feels a bit like christmas!

a.black · 02-20-2006

the deal is really awesome. have fun with it. I repeat myself, but the R is a very, very nice piece of a camera, the VC lenses are top-notch, too. The R+35/2.5 give you a small, lightweight package that screams to be taken everywhere you go. ;-)

jonasv · 02-20-2006

my XA ain't likin' it...

BJ Bignell · 02-20-2006

If the XA starts to feel neglected, just mail it to me! I promise I'll take good care of it...

RML · 02-20-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ Bignell

If the XA starts to feel neglected, just mail it to me! I promise I'll take good care of it...

I was thinking the same thing.

That XA looked pretty cool, Jonas.

dostacos · 02-20-2006

you will not CARE what your XA thinks or feels after you get the first roll back using the 35/2.5 and the Bessa.....

jonasv · 02-25-2006

Whew, I travelled to Holland yesterday and I got the camera and the two lenses - everything as new in box. Very nice gentleman, the seller, we had a drink and talked a bit about photography before I had to catch the train back home. Turns out that when he moved he didn't have place for a darkroom anymore in his new house and decided to go completely digital instead of working hybrid, which explains why he only ever shot one roll through the Bessa. I'm still stunned about the condition everything is in. It's as new - € 260 is an amazing price for this kit!

Nearsighted · 02-25-2006

Sounds like you scored big. I think you'll really like the R. Now you can become a LTM lens collector like me. I just received my CV 50/1.5. I'm always jazzed about new glass to try. I should look for a job as a lens tester. Or maybe a beer tester would be better.

PS: Don't forget to start a gallery. I want to see your J-8 shots. My J-8 isn't quite right. I've gotten better pics from my Industar 61 LD.

tetrisattack · 02-25-2006

Don't panic if you're playing with the camera in low light and the meter seems to go abruptly inoperative. It's very counter-intuitive, but if you set the camera to an ISO/shutter that would be out of the EV range of the meter, the meter just naïvely indicates underexposure. There's a chart of the meter's working range here:

http://www.usfca.edu/~fraley/r2meter.html

Another more lucid thread here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ead.php?t=8227

Kim Coxon · 02-25-2006

A bit OT but it sounds as though the collimation is out on the J8. P{robably the shims. Fairly easy to adjust if you have a loup or an SLR.

Kim

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nearsighted

PS: Don't forget to start a gallery. I want to see your J-8 shots. My J-8 isn't quite right. I've gotten better pics from my Industar 61 LD.

jonasv · 02-25-2006

Thanks Tetris!

I'll certainly post photos. The J-8 looks amazing - I've never seen a mint, boxed FSU lens before

Original box, both original caps, and it looks pristine. As if nobody ever used it before (come to think of it, he said he bought it new and never used it - makes sense then - hah). I think it's a rather recent one.. certainly looks like it. s/n 0919148

maxxum · 02-28-2006

Congratulations jvx. Great deal...
I got my R with 35mm f/2.5 classic yesterday - $325 for used in mint condition.
Can't wait to play with it.

Did you manage to get the manual for R online anywhere?