I thought we may as well build some information on this, because if it's any good at all I'll try and buy one.

B&H has the Bessa L for $250, and a 15/4.6 for a whopping $450. $700 for a new rangefinder kit (Leica screw mount?) with a superwide doesn't sound bad. Any tests? Other users?

-- John O'Connell (oconnell@siam.org), August 08, 1999

Answers

I played with one in a shop. I didn't fall in love with the camera, but then I am used to the real thing (ie Leica screw thread cameras).

If I had the cash, I would get the lenses now. Unfortunately, I'll probably have to see if Father Christmas can help.

See here for some info, including some more lenses. From the samples, it looks as if the 15mm has very little barrel or pincushion distortion.

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), August 09, 1999.

I think I will too John! I've seen the tests by camquest also and have been quite impressed....not bad for the money! a little falloff in the corners so I hope they include a center filter! but not so bad that you can't fix it in the printing....the distortion isn't near what I had expected and the price and availability means I can stop looking for the 7.5mm and 16mm rokkors. I'll have to save to get one but if you get one sooner.. post your findings here I'd love to know what you think.

-- trib (linhof6@hotmail.com), August 09, 1999.

This is an unsettling trend for Cosina: the only three people interested in this camera so far have to save up to buy one (including me).

I've asked my cousin to try to find out about the Japanese prices on thes items while he's over there this week. I'll report back on that, and if I manage to acquire one I'll report back on that, too.

-- John O'Connell (oconnell@siam.org), August 09, 1999.

Here are the prices I've seen in Japan: Bessa-L 29,700Yen, 35/1.7 Aspherical 61,200Y, 25/4 Skopar 40,500Y, 15/4.5 Heliar 58,500Yen; you might get 10% rebate with point cards, add 5% sales tax depending on your visa status and what shop. With a strong yen ($1=Yen 115, though you will get an even less favorable rate due to service charges etc.), I don't see any savings over the good B&H prices, not to speak on warrenty issues. In the case that you want to buy it in Japan, it would be regarded as very polite to ask for the "Voigtlander" Bessa-L; the sales person will happily tell you the "secret" that it is actually made by Cosina. They are very proud on the german names (see also "Contax").

-- Konrad Beck (beckko@umdnj.edu), August 14, 1999.

Popular Photography had a very favorable review in the Oct. issue. I've done some research and only found one negative review. They claimed you shouldn't be fooled by the Voigtlander name because it's really made by Cosina and all they make is low end junk. My understanding was that Cosina makes fine products for all the big camera companies, is this true? What does linhof6 mean by a center filter and should I be overly concerned by light falloff if I don't do my own printing. I saw a product that may work well for using a filter. Leefilters gelsnap it was called. It uses a piece of elastic to secure the gel filter holder to the lens, any comments or alternatives? I've also heard conflicting stories on whether or not you can use screw in filters with the 25mm lens, cameraquest says you can. Any comments on being able to use a lens of greater focal length and speed, Popular Photography said this would be impractical without a rangefinder. Any good articles or sites for info? Thanks.

-- Anthony Manti (livedistortion@aol.com), February 23, 2000.

Just when I had my heart set on getting the 15mm, I find out that Cosina is comming out with a 12mm/5.6!!! - http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtbl.htm. The widest 35mm lens ever!

-- sheldon hambrick (sheldon_hambrick@homtail.com), April 05, 2000.