How is the R2M?

Kawika

Kawika

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I'm new to rangefinder photography and I was looking to get into it. I actually really want an M6 since I've gotten to play around with a couple and I like the sturdy feeling weigh, but it's a little out of my price range. So I was wondering how the R2M is because I checked out Voigtlander's website and it seems like a pretty comparable camera. My main concern is how reliable the camera is and how long it'll be in good condition because it's gonna be travelling all over NYC, when I go back to school in the fall, so it needs to be able to stand up to being bumped around and deal with the cold, dry weather there and the humid weather when I'm at home.
 
I had an R3M for a good while. I punished it but good and it held up like a champ. I'd still have it if not for the Zeiss bug.
 
I have an M6 and a R2a. I used the R2a a lot and traveled around China and the US with it, never missed a beat. Now the rangefinder is so ever slightly out vertically which you have to look hard to see, that is the only "problem" that has developed which can just as easily happen on an M6. If I were you I would get a bessa, the R2a has served me well, if you want the mechanical, the R2m will work great too. The bessa's really are great cameras and amazing bang for buck.
 
I like mine but I don't really use it too much. Compared to the M6, which has a minimum of 5 (0.58, 0.85) or in some cases, 6 (0.72) framelines, I do fine the 4 (35,50,75,90) framelines on the R2M a bit restrictive when I travel with a few lenses (especially the 28mm). However, on shoots where I carry only the 35 or 50, this is a great camera.

I do find that adding a half leather case pads the camera a bit from the bumps that'll knock the viewfinder out of alignment.

Cheers,
 
thanks guys. i've been looking around and researching for a while and i couldn't get good, unbiased information until now. i'm probably gonna get the r2m until i can save up for an m6. i'm just curious about a couple more things.
what is the body material made of?
how is the weight compared to the m6?
 
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i see. that's pretty good because the m6 feels like it weighs a ton.
how about the lens that comes in that kit, the heliar 50mm f/2 collapsible lens? so far i've only heard good things.
 
The Voitlander body material seems to be some sort of composite which is then painted.

The only R2M sets that seem to be available new are the silver painted ones.

I too have only good things about the 50mm f2 lens, and am very tempted.

[Edit added later: I understand the chassis is metal, and the outer panels are composite; like many other Cosina products. Anything you can see and touch is high grade plastics, and the inside bits are often metal.]
 
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Hallo, I'm sure you'll love the R2m. The body shell is magnesium alloy.

The 50/2 is a lovely lens, but I would also consider the Nokton 50/1.5 - I had both and kept the Nokton for the extra speed and crispyness at large apertures. Don't get me wrong, the Heliar has a nice character wide open, it's just different to the Nokton.
 
Kawika said:
i see. that's pretty good because the m6 feels like it weighs a ton.
how about the lens that comes in that kit, the heliar 50mm f/2 collapsible lens? so far i've only heard good things.
Click to expand...

Yes you are right, the M6 does feel heavier than the R2M. But you'll be quite suprise how substantial the 50mm f/2 Heliar feels in your hands. Quite a good lens although it doesn't collapse much to be really compact. Images are crispy and the contrast is quite good.

If you are not getting the 250 years anniversary set, you don't have to take this lens. There are many other options as well. Both the 50mm Nokton and the Color Skopar are excellent for their price.

Cheers,
 
R2M is a good camera. I have a R2M/Heliar 50 set (heliar for sale in classifieds now - i'm too partial to hexanon). Both are well built. Heliar is a great lens - very nice for portraits. both work great. I used to have m6 and the only thing m6 is better for me over the bessa is - it's quiter shutter. not that bessa is loud. but bessa has metal shutter - no sun-burnt holes to worry about. great VF. All in all - Bessa is a great camera and cheaper too.
Heliar Pic:
2624235487_c7f7d2f4f0.jpg
 
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Voigtlander Bessa Body Panels

Voigtlander Bessa Body Panels

ClaremontPhoto said:
The Voitlander body material seems to be some sort of composite which is then painted.

The only R2M sets that seem to be available new are the silver painted ones.

I too have only good things about the 50mm f2 lens, and am very tempted.

[Edit added later: I understand the chassis is metal, and the outer panels are composite; like many other Cosina products. Anything you can see and touch is high grade plastics, and the inside bits are often metal.]
Click to expand...

All the Voigtlander Cosina bodies are built on a cast body metal chassis. The earlier and now discontinued Bessa L, T, and R had plastic top / bottom plates.

All later Bessas: the R2, R2S, R2C, R2A, R2M, R3A, R3M, R4A, R4M all have metal diecast top / bottom plates.

this chart might be useful http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtchart2.htm

Stephen
 
From me you will hear no good things about the heliar 50 f2, I flat out dont like it, for me the rendering is too flat and lifeless. For my money I would pick up some vintage leica glass or find a decent price on a zeiss offering.

The R2a is significantly smaller (thinner) and lighter then an M6. Its really a surprise really after shooting the M6 to go back to the bessa, its a lot lighter and easier to keep in the bag unnoticed. But the M6 has its own merits which I wont bother with.

Bottom line, get the bessa, take a bunch of photos and dont look back.
 
Hi Kawika -

I picked up an R3M to back up my Leica MP, which needs to go into the shop. Except for the finder, which 1:1 (100%), the R3M is identical to the R2M (.7). I think you'll really like it; I've been impressed with how good a camera it is for the price and am really pleasantly surprised how much I like shooting w/ it. I like it so much I ended up getting another one!

It feels sturdy, though not quite as heavy as a Leica M - which is rather nice since you're carrying less weight. I also like the small grip in the back, which makes hand holding very comfortble.

Sure, it does not have some of the refinements of the Leica M, such as the rubberized "cloth" shutter, which is quieter, and the silky smooth M advance lever; but in many ways I actually PREFER it to the M - which I know for some is blasphemy.

I use it w/ the Heliar 50mm F2 "collapsible" lens, which I really like as well, though I know for some it's an acquired taste. I have the latest Leica 50mm Summicron and again, I'm a bit shocked that I find I prefer the Heliar - it's less contrasty and less brutally sharp.

Feel free to contact me off line if you want more info on my experience with the R3M.

Regards,
-Mark
 
I am very happy with my R2M, and the Heliar that comes with it. There is not much else to wish for in terms of body. The viewfinder is one of the best, to say the least. But then, I am not spoiled by Leica.

I say, if your budget is limited, put as much as possible into the lens. The R2M body cost is a fraction of M6, it does the job and your pictures will not suffer from the difference. If I wanted to spend extra $3000, I would by a Zeiss Sonnar, a Summicron or a Hexanon 50/1.2 and perhaps the CV 35mm/f1.2 beast.

As it is, I am content with the Heliar and a Nokton 40mm/1.4

By the way, if you do not wear glasses, I would look at R3M and compare the viewfinders.
 
If you want to keep costs down, the Color Skopar 50/2.5 is a real gem for the price - I have one and it's with me nearly all the time.
 
Realistically, if you want an M6, look for a used M6 & good used lens. An excellent M6 and just as good collapsible 50/2 Summicron can be found for what is, for Leica, silly cheap. The R2M is good, don't get me wrong, but if you want something specific like the M6, you'll never be really happy till that is what you own.

If you seriously want to simply get a camera to work with until you can afford an M6, then I'd suggest a Bessa R2A & either the 35/2.5 Color Skopar or 50/2.5 Color Skopar depending on how you see the world. The R2M kit is nice & the 50/2 lens is even nicer, but in the long run you'll be happier to put the extra money aside towards your M6 & Summicron.

I'm a Contax nut. I've made due with Kiev's & sold them off and bought into the LTM world (Canon & Bessa pretty heavily) but more recently sold all that LTM gear to buy what I really wanted all along - a Contax camera & Zeiss glass. To me, the best of all worlds is a Contax II & a 50/2 collapsible Sonnar. For you, it will be something different...

Good luck & good light.

William
 
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