Hi everyone,

I am actually becoming a lot more appreciative of the Voigtlander Bessa-R lately, considering that I'm saving up for both a Leica M6 and M7 for the future. I do admit that the plastic top and bottom plates are a problem but the lightweight nature of the camera makes it nice for carrying around which I feel has a better feel and control than a point and shoot such as a Minilux or Contax T3. I like to admit that Voigtlander did well with the use of a screw mount which was innovative for its time. (I just happen to be lucky to get a later model of the Bessa-R without rangefinder problem ;)...)

I do admit that as the Leica M6 moves to the M7 and the Bessa-R moves to the Bessa-R2, that the older models will become more classic and better appreciate in due time.

Any one who wishes to share their good experiences with the Bessa-R, Bessa-T (which I love its snap-in focusing, no questions 1.25X magnification), or Bessa-L?

From my personal standpoint, I just find it easier to put my Leitz and Voigtlander screw mount lenses on the Bessa-R (built-in metering too) rather than using the adapter for use on the Leica M3 (which I prefer to use just straight bayonet lenses).

Hope to hear some wonderful Voigtlander/Leitz stories! :)

-- Alfie Wang (leica_phile@hotmail.com), April 15, 2002

Answers

Alfie, put the adapter on the lens and leave it--forget it's there. Then it's a bayonet lens. Then dump the R. Switching back and forth is definitely not the way to do it.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), April 15, 2002.

From what I've read, the Bessa R2 has a metal top and bottom plate. Step in the right direction for CV. Still, even if the bodies are not up to Leica standards, it's good to see a company coming out with so many differnet rangefinder options. Not everyone can afford a Leica. I have the 15,21,and 25mm CV lenses, and all are very good lenses. I myself wouldn't buy a CV body(I'm a Leicaholic), but they have opened many new doors for RF users.

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), April 15, 2002.

I beat the prunes outta my BessaR every day on golf course construction sites. Its finish has worn thru the black paint, the silver paint, the silver "foil" and is down to the milky white plastic in places. Its never failed to work. I use the 35/1.7 and 25/4.0 lenses. Great lenses, great camera... but I also consider it a short term camera. I cannot see anyone doing complete overhauls on BessaR's in 30 years. Heck, I can't see anyone doing a complete overhaul on a BessaR TODAY.

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), April 15, 2002.

Alfie- Great camera for taking out of focus pictures of dishracks...

-- Marco Grande (hektor73@yahoo.com), April 16, 2002.

Dear Charles, not being a Leica, your R2 might not actually need an overhaul or CLA or TLC every 5 years or so !! You might get to enjot it longer than you think. I don't own one, but cuddled one in a store and feels very nice for the money.

-- sait (akkirman@clear.net.nz), April 16, 2002.

Well, lets not forget, if we take off the RF mechanism, and add a mirrorbox and pentaprism, the camera sold for $169 as a Vivitar or just slightly more as a Olympus.

So we have creative marketing - reaching the niche - to get the most value out of what is essentially bottom grade camera, albeit a highly profitable one.

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), April 16, 2002.

Well the Bessa R is not a great camera, but Heliar 15mm is a very good lens in certain respects more suitable than the Hologon. I mean in dark interiors, just the light fall off should be balanced. The Ultron 35 1.7 is not as good, I desagree with the fellow. It is not better than my 20 years old Canon FD 35 2,8 in spite of its Aspheraical, etc. It is quite prone to reflexes at full apperture unusable and has high distorsion.

Rudolf

-- Rudolf KLEIN (ruklein@attglobal.net), April 18, 2002.

I bought a Bessa R2 about a month ago. I love the body and am undecided on the lens but seems OK (35/1.7 Ultron). I have always wanted an M6 but could never afford one--especialy when they went for about $2500.00 about 5 years ago or so. HHHuuumm. . .come to think of it that was before the Bessa. Coincedence? I think not. I will one day have an m6 (now that they have come down about $900) but for now I'm enjoying the intro to rangefinders. It was especialy scary to think of shelling out all that cash for a rangefinder having never really using one before. Ok that said, let the bashing begin!

-- Kevin Bonds (kwbonds@hotmail.com), June 16, 2002.