Difference between Bessa R2 & R2M?

[Kenny Lam]

Hi, I've been reading the Forum for a while now but this is my first post. I was wondering if there is a significant difference between a Bessa R2 and a Bessa R2M aside from a quieter shutter?

Would you prefer one over another taking into consideration cost?

 

[pau3]

The R2 rangefinder only works from .9m, while the R2M works from 0.7m. There may be
other differences.

Pau

 

[bennyng]

Both models should focus from 0.9m to infinity.

One of the most important difference is that the Bessa R only accepts LTM lenses. So the M mount lenses are not usable as there are no M to LTM adaptors. The Bessa R2 has an M mount interface that also accepts the LTM lenses via a LTM to M adaptor that is commonly available. The self timer is absent on the Bessa R2. The Bessa R is not compatible with the trigger winder.

Bessa R is lighter at 395 grams versus the Bessa R2 at 425 grams, probably due to the Bessa R2 using magnesium top and bottom covers instead of polycarbonate on the Bessa R.

Hope this information helps.

Cheers,

 

[Jason Sprenger]

The R2 has the old style rewind crank similar to the Bessa R which I find fiddly in use. The rewind of the R2a and R2M are easier to use.

The R2 has the older arrow-dot-arrow [ -> (0) <+ ] meter display whereas the R2M displays readings as -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 +0.5 +1 +1.5 +2. I'm actually very comfortable with the older display as it's very quick and kind of miss it when I use my newer Bessa or ZI.

And the R2 was available in Olive Green which is kind of cool.

 

[Kenny Lam]

Thanks a lot for the help guys!

 

[Rogrund]

Both models should focus from 0.9m to infinity.

One of the most important difference is that the Bessa R only accepts LTM lenses. So the M mount lenses are not usable as there are no M to LTM adaptors. The Bessa R2 has an M mount interface that also accepts the LTM lenses via a LTM to M adaptor that is commonly available. The self timer is absent on the Bessa R2. The Bessa R is not compatible with the trigger winder.

Bessa R is lighter at 395 grams versus the Bessa R2 at 425 grams, probably due to the Bessa R2 using magnesium top and bottom covers instead of polycarbonate on the Bessa R.

Hope this information helps.

Cheers,

The question was about the difference between the R2 and R2M, not the R and R2...

 

[bennyng]

The question was about the difference between the R2 and R2M, not the R and R2...

Oops!! Thanks for pointing that out! 😀

Cheers,