Bessa-R vs Leica M6

[oscroft]

Ok, so it's not a fair comparison - the M6 that I've just acquired is a heavy metal marvel of precision mechanical engineering (other, possibly mechanically better, Leica Ms notwithstanding), while the modest Bessa-R that has been my no 1 rangefinder to date is a mostly-plastic camera built to a budget and was partly just testing the market. And, of course, the feel of the two cameras doesn't compare.

But that viewfinder! I've read about it, but it still came as a surprise to see that the Bessa viewfinder really is brighter than the M6 viewfinder, and that you can see the edges of the viewfinder area better on the Bessa (so it would be better for specs-wearers, I presume). And the rangefinder spot also beats the M6 in one aspect - it doesn't flare in some conditions the way the M6 one does.

When I got the M6 I was thinking I'd maybe not use the Bessa-R much now. But I will - my respect for it has increased and it's staying in my bag 😀

 

[nrb]

I've got an M2 but most of the time I use my R and R2.

 

[rover]

I am not ready to put my M6 away yet.....but I have been shooting with my R4a and really really liking it. It is a very well made camera, Bessas are no slouches. If the R2a had a longer EBL I may be considering it more.

 

[thafred]

hi oscroft,

i also went from BessaR to the M6 (with a little love affair with a M3)
I agree on the VF, that the Bessa´s finder is really a little brighter is awesome!
..on the plus side for the M6 Is the bigger RF-spot and the 28 framelines. offcourse and the baselenght as you will discover is a realy the biggest plus point! The Flare in my M6 is just a matter of eye position IMho ...with the bessa the spot dissappears when the eye is shifted and the m6 flares..no biggie, also I think the positioning of the VF-eyepiece is just better with the m

i have only praise for the M6 but no matter how much I love to use it I still think the Bessa R is one hell of a camera (and she comes out from time to time)! Mine looks soo worn out now but still keeps on rocking...also as you pointed out the weight sometimes is a big bonus! esp. when mounted with a Jupiter8 the camera weights nothing and is small! much lighter than my IIIa with elmar....I never regretted buying the Bessa! sadly I neverhave handled the newer models but I´m sure they are even better than the R!

the only thing bugging me is when I have both camera´s with me I have to juggle the M-mount adapters with the cameras (had I only bought the R2 back then ..well) ...I mostly take only one lens per cam now when I take both..

have fun with your M6!
fred

 

[rxmd]

I went from a Bessa R to a Leica M5. In comparison, the R's viewfinder is brighter and a little larger, while the M5 has a far better rangefinder and a much more informative meter readout (metering area, selected shutter speed, analog matchneedle metering).

One thing this has made clear for me is that the newer Ms probably aren't worth the trouble, since so much hasn't really changed since the M5. If I get any other M-mount camera within the next two or three years or so, it will be a ZI.

Philipp

 

[Fred]

I use both the Bessa R and the M7, VF wise the R is a tad brighter but for me the RF patch on the M7 'seems' to have better contrast making focus quicker.

 

[Avotius]

you know I didnt believe it until I had them side by side either, my bessa r2a is brighter then the m6's veiwfinder hands down, that said I still prefer the m6's for the 35mm frame lines as the r2a's bottom line is kind of a guessing afair

 

[peter_n]

I use two M7s and recently got a Bessa R4. I had never even seen a Bessa before I bought this camera and I was pleasantly surprised with the quality, fit and finish of the CV body. The VF on the R4 is also excellent and the parallax correction on the camera is unique in the the RF world. What a great product!

 

[FrankS]

Bessas are good value.
Used Leica is better value, IMO.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Bessas are good value.
Used Leica is better value, IMO.

Well, Frank,
Please tell me where I can find a metered Leica in good working condition for $249.

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[FrankS]

Hi Uwe,
Value is not the same thing as price. Bessas are definitely cheaper. Please don't think that I'm criticising Bessa - that's far from the truth.

BTW, I think CV lenses are even better value than CV bodies.

 

[oscroft]

Hi Fred,

..on the plus side for the M6 Is the bigger RF-spot and the 28 framelines. offcourse and the baselenght as you will discover is a realy the biggest plus point!

Yes indeed, the 28mm frame is a great thing to have (especially as my next planned lens purchase is a CV 28/3.5). And as soon as I get round to using longer and faster lenses I'll start to appreciate the longer baselength. (My current fastest lens is a J-9, but I also have my eye on a CV 40/1.4 eventually)

The Flare in my M6 is just a matter of eye position IMho ...with the bessa the spot dissappears when the eye is shifted and the m6 flares..no biggie, also I think the positioning of the VF-eyepiece is just better with the m

I think you're probably right that in actual shooting the flare won't be a practical issue, though idly sitting in the house looking at everything through the M6 VF I did find an occasion when I couldn't get rid of the VF flare - it seemed to be a particular angle of the light.

i have only praise for the M6 but no matter how much I love to use it I still think the Bessa R is one hell of a camera (and she comes out from time to time)! Mine looks soo worn out now but still keeps on rocking...also as you pointed out the weight sometimes is a big bonus! esp. when mounted with a Jupiter8 the camera weights nothing and is small! much lighter than my IIIa with elmar....I never regretted buying the Bessa!

After starting this thread, I went out shooting with the M6 for the first time, and my feeling now is that it will always be my first choice when I'm specifically going out to shoot, but the Bessa may be the one I toss in a bag "just in case" when I'm not specifically out to shoot (and being so much less expensive too, I'll be less worried about security). Being so much lighter makes it more convenient for casually carrying around (and I agree, with a J-8 it's a nice combination).

sadly I never have handled the newer models but I´m sure they are even better than the R!

I haven't either, but after my day out with the M6 has made it clear that there is still an important place for my Bessa-R I can't help thinking that an R4 (on which I can use my CV 25 and 21) might make an ideal companion to the M6 - it's just a shame they don't make them in silver chrome (I've always preferred silver-coloured cameras). They are a bit expensive though, and it will take a while to recover from the cost of the M6 😉

the only thing bugging me is when I have both camera´s with me I have to juggle the M-mount adapters with the cameras (had I only bought the R2 back then ..well) ...I mostly take only one lens per cam now when I take both..

Yeah, I generally tend to do that anyway, whether I have two rangefinders or my two OM SLR bodies (or a combination). I tend to decide in advance what lenses I want to use and then stick with them - I'm not quite sure why that approach suits me, but I think it helps me to "see" shots when I know what lens I'm supposed to be seeing them with.

have fun with your M6!

Thanks 😀 My first day out with it was really great - I think I'll write about it over on the Leica M forum.

Cheers,

 

[roundg]

Hi Uwe,

BTW, I think CV lenses are even better value than CV bodies.

Agree, I sold my CV21,25,90 as I don't like their cheap feel. I still keep 50/1.5 because I can't afford a Leica 50/1.4.

IMO, Bessa is designed to be an usable camera. That's all. I used to have L, T and R2. I would like to praise T.

 

[yoyo22]

you know I didnt believe it until I had them side by side either, my bessa r2a is brighter then the m6's veiwfinder hands down, that said I still prefer the m6's for the 35mm frame lines as the r2a's bottom line is kind of a guessing afair

For me it's the other way round: the R2M for the 35, since I cannot see the 35 framelines in the M6. In addition I use an external viewfinder on the R2M for quick shooting.

 

[Axel]

... a metered Leica in good working condition for $249...

Hi Uwe,

if that were the question I would rather have a look at a FED5 or so for around $ 50,- in best condition with a well usable Industar-lens on top.

😉

Otherwise a used Leica CL is metered too, very light and small and goes for around such a price else.

Regards, Axel

 

[rover]

What I miss most about the R is that it is so light. You have it in hand and feel you can shoot all day. A heavier camera is great, but is more of a burden to carry over time.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Hi Uwe,

if that were the question I would rather have a look at a FED5 or so for around $ 50,- in best condition with a well usable Industar-lens on top.

😉

Otherwise a used Leica CL is metered too, very light and small and goes for around such a price else.

Regards, Axel

Axel,
The question was about best (or rather better value) and in my opinion, the Bessa R is the best value for money (FrankS: i.e. price 😉), in particular @ the current rate from the well known source.

The I-61 that comes with the FED5 is the best reason to get one of these arguably most ugly FSU-RFs. I bought one in Prague, not knowing anything about RFs at that time and I was positively surprised when I got the first roll back.

However, the Bessa R is lighter, has framelines for several focal lengths and comes with warranty - and it takes the I-61, J-8 and J-3.🙂

The Leica CL would also be an option, but is also only available used. And if you buy one with warranty, I don't think you will get it for the price of a new Bessa.

Best regards from around the corner,
Uwe

 

[peter_n]

What I miss most about the R is that it is so light. You have it in hand and feel you can shoot all day. A heavier camera is great, but is more of a burden to carry over time.

Maybe you should try a ZI Ralph. If I wanted to buy a regular body now I'd certainly give the ZI a try. Unfortunately they weren't around when I was buying.

 

[Axel]

...The question was about best (or rather better value) and in my opinion, the Bessa R is the best value for money (FrankS: i.e. price 😉), in particular @ the current rate from the well known source...

Hi Uwe,

I think that a Bessa always is a great value for money, anyway. And for $ 249,- (where?) there is nothing to discuss.
Value - for me - is a wider aspect. If we only took it from the economically side we wouldn't hit the full target of the question I think.
Otherwise I had to sell my M6 immediately to finance the next lens and a Bessa consequently.
Of course I do not. Must be something else I think. 😉

Regards, Axel

 

[besk]

I had a M6 for over 7 years. For traveling in eastern Europe I always left it at home. One or more P&S cameras plus a 120 folder weighed much less so they went instead.

The R I have now with a J8 and VC 28/3.5 is a joy to carry all day in a Domke 803 along with a 120 folder or a Rolleiflex or my 9X12 plate camera.