Windwalker57
Established
I just received a Bessa L in black that I won on *bay, to match the VC 15mm Heliar lens that I purchased at a great price, thanks to a HU posted an RFF member. Many Thanks, Guys!
First impression: The post office roughed up the box some, but the camera was well packed. When I finally got all the bubble wrap off, I was, well, shocked. The Bessa L is tinier than I expected. Then I had a bigger shock - the camera is MINT!
Not a mark on it, save the fingerprints I put on it. A fresh battery was installed by the seller. The camera also included a premium strap, a Domke gripper. I unpacked and mounted my new ultrawide lens and finder. The lens threads on silky smooth, better than my very old Pentax did and the finder slid into the shoe smoothly, just snug enough. Nice feel to the hand, everything can be operated without hunting for the right controls. Try that with a DSLR!
Test loaded an out-dated roll because I haven't loaded film in a LOOOONG time. No problems loading, after 30+ years, I can do it without thinking about it. Loaded the camera with a fresh roll, Kodak High Definition 400 and headed out the door to shoot!
I wear reading glasses, so I was worried I would have to constantly switch my glasses off and on when shooting. As it happens, I left them inside on the counter! Outdoors, I can read the focus scale enough that I can set it, the F-Stop and Shutter Speed Dials were easier to see. After a couple of shots, I could see I was just going to leave the focus set at a hyper-focal distance and just shoot, as the exposures were at f11 to f16. Shutter speeds averaged 1/125 to 1/500 during my shoot.
I can't believe the big bright viewfinder, so water clear that I forgot it existed. Even though I am left eyed, the camera fitted me well with nothing jabbing me in the eye or face. I can see the LEDs with the camera at my eye, making it real easy to shoot with. All the controls on the camera and lens are smooth and silky. (not as buttery as an M3, though)
This is a hard lens to wrap your head around because of the gigantic angle of view. Lately, my widest angle lens I have available to me on my D70 is a 28mm equivalent, so the perspective differences and the empty foreground were things taht required the most attention. I've used 20mm lenses before, I loved it on my film Nikons, but this 15mm is seriously wider. One shot may have my shoes in it!
I am very pleased that I purchased this camera and lens combination, I can't wait to get out and shoot more film. I would like to thank the wonderful people of RFF for all their help in locating such a fine lens and camera and suggestions on how to shoot it. RFF is a wonderful place to learn things, even for a lurker like myself.
I will try to upload a pic later, maybe a scan or two.
First impression: The post office roughed up the box some, but the camera was well packed. When I finally got all the bubble wrap off, I was, well, shocked. The Bessa L is tinier than I expected. Then I had a bigger shock - the camera is MINT!
Not a mark on it, save the fingerprints I put on it. A fresh battery was installed by the seller. The camera also included a premium strap, a Domke gripper. I unpacked and mounted my new ultrawide lens and finder. The lens threads on silky smooth, better than my very old Pentax did and the finder slid into the shoe smoothly, just snug enough. Nice feel to the hand, everything can be operated without hunting for the right controls. Try that with a DSLR!
Test loaded an out-dated roll because I haven't loaded film in a LOOOONG time. No problems loading, after 30+ years, I can do it without thinking about it. Loaded the camera with a fresh roll, Kodak High Definition 400 and headed out the door to shoot!
I wear reading glasses, so I was worried I would have to constantly switch my glasses off and on when shooting. As it happens, I left them inside on the counter! Outdoors, I can read the focus scale enough that I can set it, the F-Stop and Shutter Speed Dials were easier to see. After a couple of shots, I could see I was just going to leave the focus set at a hyper-focal distance and just shoot, as the exposures were at f11 to f16. Shutter speeds averaged 1/125 to 1/500 during my shoot.
I can't believe the big bright viewfinder, so water clear that I forgot it existed. Even though I am left eyed, the camera fitted me well with nothing jabbing me in the eye or face. I can see the LEDs with the camera at my eye, making it real easy to shoot with. All the controls on the camera and lens are smooth and silky. (not as buttery as an M3, though)
This is a hard lens to wrap your head around because of the gigantic angle of view. Lately, my widest angle lens I have available to me on my D70 is a 28mm equivalent, so the perspective differences and the empty foreground were things taht required the most attention. I've used 20mm lenses before, I loved it on my film Nikons, but this 15mm is seriously wider. One shot may have my shoes in it!
I am very pleased that I purchased this camera and lens combination, I can't wait to get out and shoot more film. I would like to thank the wonderful people of RFF for all their help in locating such a fine lens and camera and suggestions on how to shoot it. RFF is a wonderful place to learn things, even for a lurker like myself.
I will try to upload a pic later, maybe a scan or two.
