Bessa R Review

Bessa R Review

  • *

    Votes: 5 1.5%

  • **

    Votes: 6 1.8%

  • ***

    Votes: 60 17.8%

  • ****

    Votes: 155 45.9%

  • *****

    Votes: 112 33.1%
  • Total voters
    338
I fell in love with the R and went out and bought a second one. My only complaint, albeit a small complaint, is the limited range of the light meter. I still have to carry a handheld meter for low light shoots.
 
Different lenses: J8, Canon 50/1.8, 35/2.5 cv. I can't compare these lenses from a technical standpoint, but from a purely subjective take, the J8 has a sweet old-timey look with a nice gray scale, the Canon is sharp, and the Color Skopar is painfully sharp
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I don't have a Canon 50/1.8, but my take on the other two is exactly the same - I've got a J-8 that gives me beautiful b&w tones with an old fashioned feel, and a CV 35/2.5 that I almost cut myself on. I've been buying far too many lenses (I just took delivery of a CV 25/4 that I haven't tried yet 😀) but there are two more that I can't help feeling I'd like to get for the R, one of which is probably mythical - I'll probably eventually get a CV 50/2.5 to give me a super-sharp 50 for colour slide work, but I'd also really like a 35 that gives similar b&w results to the J-8, though sadly I have no idea of the identity of such a beast.
 
I bought a used Bessa R w/ 35/2.5 Skopar from a member of this forum last week.

My initial reactions are that I love the compact size. Most of my 35mm stuff is with a Canon A2E with the 50/1.4, so this kit seems tiny in comparison. The shutter is a bit louder than I'd like, but I can't really afford an M6 right now. I'm impressed with the contrast of the rf patch, though I do wish it was a little larger. My friend's R2A seems to have a slightly larger patch iirc.

Just got back the first roll of XP2, some samples attached. I'm happy with the performance by this pint sized lens. Though I'm already itching for a fast 50mm.
 

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Burlap Jacket:

Love the two shots of the women. What wonderful expressions...

Clearly there's nothing wrong with that lens.

ALAN:

I'm not sure yet, the the Canon seems pretty good on the gray scale. As I don't have a neg scanner, I have to make a 5X7 or an 8X10 in the darkroom and then scan it with my Epson 4990. Takes a bit of time.

You might ask Frank S. about the Canon. I bought it from him and I'm sure he can comment more usefully about the lens than I in terms of gray scale.

Ted
 
this humble user likes it a lot. It has performed in cold, damp environents without failure in the last three years, but this humble user always keeps it in a pelicase while kayaking with a dessicant pack. It gets splash from spray on it when used while paddling. It gets dried carefully after each trip. The camera finish is not very resistant to scuffing or marring.
so maximum marks on funtionality
not so great on the durability of the finish, but its plastic, wuddya expect?
 
Quick Question:
Has anyone tried fixing scuff marks in the paint of a black R? I thought of using tape to cover the marks and protect them a bit but wondered if anyone had tried something differrent? I know it doesn't affect perfomance but I like a tidy camera?
 
I haven't got scuff marks that worry me, but I did use a slim strip of black electrician's tape to cover "Bessa R" on the camera's front and the tape is virtually invisible (see my avatar). I also use it to cover most of the back door to keep nose oil off the door (I'm left-eyed). Residual tape stickum will probably come off with something like Goof-Off. I hope. But it doesn't really matter as I don't plan to sell this camera. I plan to wear it out.

Ted
 
pesphoto:

Best investment - other than an Ultron or Nokton - that you could make, and a hell of a lot cheaper. Better grip, saves bottom plate scratching, and has a strap lug that allows the camera to hang vertically rather than sag upwards.

Ted
 
Simon:

Do it. May have been done before. Check first.

Never mattered, I guess, with an SLR, which was the strong eye.
 
Hi Ted and all,
I'm also left eye dominant.

For the first time in 35 years I'm using any kind of case with a camera.
I opted for Gandy's $1- case with my new Bessa T, and am using the
camera with the half case.
QUESTION:
Without a doubt, the Bessa R is the most popular of the Bessa's in RFF.
Given that it's m39 screw mount, it's 2-1/3 turns to change a lens, and,
some guys have complained about a sensitive RF and plasticky feel...
please, please explain your love affair with this Bessa ?
No-no-no, I'm not in any way knocking the Bessa R...
just trying to understand ;-)
Ciao, mike
 
My friend compared an M6 and a Bessa R. He said they are both basic RF cameras with a meter. The comparison ends there in terms of build quality. You get what you pay for.

However, the Bessa R is the best RF camera buy for the money on the market today. You can fit Leica lenses to it, Canon lenses, Russian lenses, and of course Voigtlander lenses. The viewfinder is brilliant, the patch is easy to see, and the controls are intuitive.

True, some folks manage to knock the RF out of line. I have no idea what they did to cause that. I don't baby my camera and have run maybe 40 rolls through it. No problems, except one. As I bulk load my film, I'm never sure at which point I should stop shooting and rewind. If I go too far, the film advance lever jams in midstroke, and even though I push in the rewind button , it takes a bit of strength to operate the rewind lever. If I stop a few frames before I run out of film, no problem, but it still doesn't have that silky, effortless rewind of a Leica or a pentax spotmatic.

Again, you get what you've paid for, but in the case of the Bessa R, you get an awful lot. Get one, it's money well-spent.

Ted
 
The Bessa R bug has bitten ;-)
I'm looking for a Bessa R Exc, used, and this will probably
be a 'dedicated' body+Jupiter 50/2 combination.

The recently acquired T may end up as a 'dediated' CV 25/4
combo, with the 25mm viewer that came with the 25/4.
Ciao, mike

Ciao
 
Alan:

Thanks for that bit of information. I was beginning to worry. To solve the problem before your post I was loading 30 frames of TriX and stopping at 21 so I wouldn't jam in midstroke.

Thanks again,

Ted
 
Hi Ted, Alan & all...
A few hours ago, I bought a Bessa R+J8+side grip for a good price.

I've noted Alan's comment:

When that happens to me and the wind lever is jammed in midstroke I just push the rewind button and finish the wind stroke, and then the film rewinds easily.

Thanks & ciao,
mike
 
Hi Mike,enjoy the R.I used a Fed2 for a long while,there is a world of diff..The R I have has no light leaks!A nice camera all around,good basic rangefinder.Good luck with yours...........Robin
 
i'm eagerly awaiting my bessa r from mr gandy!
lightweight, built in metering, no light leaks, fear of burning a hole in the shutter, etc... woo hoo!
 
atelier7 said:
i'm eagerly awaiting my bessa r from mr gandy!
lightweight, built in metering, no light leaks, fear of burning a hole in the shutter, etc... woo hoo!
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ME TOO!!! I am on the same boat. I just bought a few rolls and It's not even in the mail yet!
 
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