mike goldberg
The Peaceful Pacific
Bessa T, Impressions I
Introduced in 2001, the T is the 1st Bessa M-mount, with a long RF base, a diopter adjustment at the RF window, exposure readout at the top deck and no VF window. “What,” you may ask?!? No VF window. That’s right. Upon examining my new T yesterday, I can see they’d have nowhere to put it. Remember, the profile of the T is lower than that of other Bessa RF’s.
When I served in the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and learned about small arms, we were taught to first check that there is no bullet in the breech… and examine the piece from all sides. Only then, did we dismantle it. By the way, with a little practice, I could dismantle an Uzi and reassemble it in 15-20 seconds.
The Bessa T is very well made, and mine has a 4 digit S/N. Two of those form a number that is familiar and dear to me, ’36.’ No, the T is not an M2, and yes, Mr. Kobayashi and crew at Cosina have done a quite a good job. I suspect the T was discontinued in 2004 to make way for newer designs. Perhaps in marketing terms, users preferred range finders with VF’s. My CV 25/4 Skopar has its own viewer, and I also have two of those small, universal Helios type viewers with wide and tele frame lines. One adjusts very quickly, to bringing the camera to eye level and getting a meter readout on the way!
I opted for a $1- case with the CQ purchase. Though I do like leather, I’m delighted that no animals were harmed in the making of my T’s ‘skin,’ case or strap. The strap is of black nylon with a wider central part for the shoulder, and I invested some 40 minutes in getting the strap on, just the way I like it. The inside of the strap at shoulder level, is lined with a material to keep it from slipping. Further, I just may use the half case, and this will be the first time in 35 years that I have used any case in picture taking.
With a Summaron 35mm mounted, I practiced focusing while sipping Cappuccino at English Cake. Clicking the shutter several times, I found it to be much quieter than expected. The box, a lovely pastel green, was shipped well-packed, from Thousand Oaks, CA to Jerusalem, Israel in 6 days.
NOTE: I have copy-pasted pvdhaar's comment from the Thread, Bessa T and plastic cartridges:
I have the impression that the percentage of T-users (including myself) that ran across broken shutter/advance mechanisms is remarkably high. Therefore my advice is to only use film and cartridges that move easily, and avoid undue stress on sprocket wheels/spindles..
__________________
NOTE: mike's Leica M2 [mine] has sustained tens of thousands of rapid & hard thumb winds, whereby the mechanasim at the end of the stroke, stops the advance abruptly.
In getting familiar wity the T, I have already noted that you can feel the end of the stroke coming just before its end... with wheels, gears and stop... slipping into place. Note again: I would NOT ram the thumb wind home as I do with the Leica M2... even with a smoothly advancing, original metal film casette.
Impressions II follows next week.
Feedback welcome. mike
Introduced in 2001, the T is the 1st Bessa M-mount, with a long RF base, a diopter adjustment at the RF window, exposure readout at the top deck and no VF window. “What,” you may ask?!? No VF window. That’s right. Upon examining my new T yesterday, I can see they’d have nowhere to put it. Remember, the profile of the T is lower than that of other Bessa RF’s.
When I served in the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and learned about small arms, we were taught to first check that there is no bullet in the breech… and examine the piece from all sides. Only then, did we dismantle it. By the way, with a little practice, I could dismantle an Uzi and reassemble it in 15-20 seconds.
The Bessa T is very well made, and mine has a 4 digit S/N. Two of those form a number that is familiar and dear to me, ’36.’ No, the T is not an M2, and yes, Mr. Kobayashi and crew at Cosina have done a quite a good job. I suspect the T was discontinued in 2004 to make way for newer designs. Perhaps in marketing terms, users preferred range finders with VF’s. My CV 25/4 Skopar has its own viewer, and I also have two of those small, universal Helios type viewers with wide and tele frame lines. One adjusts very quickly, to bringing the camera to eye level and getting a meter readout on the way!
I opted for a $1- case with the CQ purchase. Though I do like leather, I’m delighted that no animals were harmed in the making of my T’s ‘skin,’ case or strap. The strap is of black nylon with a wider central part for the shoulder, and I invested some 40 minutes in getting the strap on, just the way I like it. The inside of the strap at shoulder level, is lined with a material to keep it from slipping. Further, I just may use the half case, and this will be the first time in 35 years that I have used any case in picture taking.
With a Summaron 35mm mounted, I practiced focusing while sipping Cappuccino at English Cake. Clicking the shutter several times, I found it to be much quieter than expected. The box, a lovely pastel green, was shipped well-packed, from Thousand Oaks, CA to Jerusalem, Israel in 6 days.
NOTE: I have copy-pasted pvdhaar's comment from the Thread, Bessa T and plastic cartridges:
I have the impression that the percentage of T-users (including myself) that ran across broken shutter/advance mechanisms is remarkably high. Therefore my advice is to only use film and cartridges that move easily, and avoid undue stress on sprocket wheels/spindles..
__________________
NOTE: mike's Leica M2 [mine] has sustained tens of thousands of rapid & hard thumb winds, whereby the mechanasim at the end of the stroke, stops the advance abruptly.
In getting familiar wity the T, I have already noted that you can feel the end of the stroke coming just before its end... with wheels, gears and stop... slipping into place. Note again: I would NOT ram the thumb wind home as I do with the Leica M2... even with a smoothly advancing, original metal film casette.
Impressions II follows next week.
Feedback welcome. mike
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Diggin99
Established
Good to see another person exploring the Bessa T, I'l be looking forward to part two! I Also decided to try the Mini Soft release, I expect to have it shiped to me next week!
Nancy
Nancy
mike goldberg
The Peaceful Pacific
Hi Nancy... The Tom Abrahamsson soft release does help, especially with low
shutter speeds. Here's a minor problem. Occasionaly, in moving about or
returning the camera to the compact and padded camera bag I carry, I trip
the shutter
I think the T is going to be great as a 2nd M-mount body. Just like I learned a different grip for the Kiev... my right hand will learn NOT to ram the thumb wind hard against the stop mechanism at the end of the advance stroke.
Our bodies learn. New York Psychiatrist Gerald Epstein, teaches his patients healing via meditative visualizations.
He says it takes 21 days to really learn a new habit. Hope it works out ok for you.
Ciao, mike
shutter speeds. Here's a minor problem. Occasionaly, in moving about or
returning the camera to the compact and padded camera bag I carry, I trip
the shutter
I think the T is going to be great as a 2nd M-mount body. Just like I learned a different grip for the Kiev... my right hand will learn NOT to ram the thumb wind hard against the stop mechanism at the end of the advance stroke.
Our bodies learn. New York Psychiatrist Gerald Epstein, teaches his patients healing via meditative visualizations.
He says it takes 21 days to really learn a new habit. Hope it works out ok for you.
Ciao, mike
Diggin99
Established
Thanks! I also have had the trip the shutter problem, but it seems to be much better now. I decided to leave the viewfinder on the camera, with the every ready case over it, in my bag. The height of the VF stop me from those blank snaps.
Nancy
Nancy