1000 to 1250 USD to spend on ...

[jfserejo]

Hi all,

This post answers will be a helping guide to choose some gear to offer as present and a challenge at same time. So here we go …

If I have 1000 to 1250 USD to spend on a RF camera body and two lens – a wide angle 21mm to 35mm and a regular 40mm to 50mm – new or mint what will be your choice?

Thanks all very much,
Joao

 

[Stephanie Brim]

If it was me, I'd skip the wider angle lens and go for an M2 or an M4-P in user shape with a good user Summicron. Cosmetics mean nothing to me and never really have...as long as something is in good mechanical shape or, in the case of lenses, has good glass, I'm perfectly happy.

 

[Frank Granovski]

I'd go with a Bessa R2A or R3A from Cameraquest, depending on the lenses you want---and the lenses would be either Voigtlander or Zeiss (or a combination of) from Cameraquest. 😉

 

[ch1]

I'd go with a Bessa R2A or R3A from Cameraquest, depending on the lenses you want---and the lenses would be either Voigtlander or Zeiss (or a combination of) from Cameraquest. 😉

Frank speaks the truth.

You cannot go wrong spending your budget as he suggests!

And I think you'll have enough change left over for a case and some lens filters (if, you're into such things like I am).

 

[Kyle]

Do you want new or used? Do you need an in-camera meter? How "fast" do you need the lenses to be? There are so many suggestions that can be made, but if you can narrow down your requirements, we could make better suggestions.

 

[dostacos]

Bessa R2 $599.00
28/3.5 Color-Skopar $285.00
50/1.5 Nokton $339.00
$1,223.00

I prefer all mechanical cameras so I can still shoot if a battery takes a dump so I would choose the R2 it is a little more than the R2A & R3A, but not much.
wide angle with the 28 [or go with the 35/2.5 [$209 silver $229 black ] I love mine.
the 50/1.5 for low light or for a few $$$ less the 50/2.5 all prices are off Cameraquest's site.

 

[wlewisiii]

I like Dan's package, though in my own warped way I'd be just slightly different:
Bessa R2 $599.00
35/2.5 (Classic Silver temporarily at reduced price) $209
50/2.5 Color Skopar $289
75/2.5 Color-Heliar $295
Total is $1392. That's a bit higher than your requested budget, however I'd argue that the additional flexability is worth far more than the extra $142.

All lenses are the same speed which means you only have to vary your film speed to get the same effect with all of your lenses. In additon all are LTM rather than M mount so you have additional flexability down the road. 43mm filters are used on the 35, 39mm on the 50, & 43 again on the 75mm. Not bad, but I'd be happier if all three were 43mm (or better yet an normal size... ).

I'm not bleeping likely to be able to play with the money this way anytime soon, so it's a heck of a lot of fun to "window shop" in the guise of giving advice. Thanks!

William

 

[dostacos]

I like Dan's package, though in my own warped way I'd be just slightly different:
Bessa R2 $599.00
35/2.5 (Classic Silver temporarily at reduced price) $209
50/2.5 Color Skopar $289
75/2.5 Color-Heliar $295
Total is $1392. That's a bit higher than your requested budget, however I'd argue that the additional flexability is worth far more than the extra $142.

All lenses are the same speed which means you only have to vary your film speed to get the same effect with all of your lenses. In additon all are LTM rather than M mount so you have additional flexability down the road. 43mm filters are used on the 35, 39mm on the 50, & 43 again on the 75mm. Not bad, but I'd be happier if all three were 43mm (or better yet an normal size... ).

I'm not bleeping likely to be able to play with the money this way anytime soon, so it's a heck of a lot of fun to "window shop" in the guise of giving advice. Thanks!

William

😱 of course we both forgot the adapters to make all those nice thread mount lenses fit on that bayonet mount body :bang: but I like your idea and go for a low light lens later when he is better able to decide what lens for low light IF that is wanted later.

 

[thmk]

Does it have to be M mount and black?
If not you could start buying from Cameraquest:
- the silver Bessa R and the CV 2.5/35 (399 USD)
- the CV 1.5/50 (339 USD)
- the CV 4/25 (245 USD) in case you need it a bit wider
- the square hood for the 35 (45 USD)
- the square hood for the 25 (45 USD)

That makes 1073 USD (783 USD without the 25mm stuff) for a really nice kit. And you have some bucks left for a case and some film. Just my two Euro cent 🙂

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I concur with all of the above. Bessa is the best route in this case!

 

[Abbazz]

My answer would be a Fuji G690 + 100mm (43mm equiv.) and 65mm (28mm equiv.) lenses. Great rangefinder camera, gorgeous 6x9 negs and this kit should cost you less than $1000 if you shop carefully...

There is one for sale right now on the Bay.
(I have no links with the seller).

 

[aizan]

all of the kits i was going to recommend add up to $1300-1450. save a little more and it'll be easier to settle on a kit!

 

[rover]

Do you want new or used? Do you need an in-camera meter? How "fast" do you need the lenses to be? There are so many suggestions that can be made, but if you can narrow down your requirements, we could make better suggestions.

I am with Kyle, do you need a meter? What is your favorite focal length? What types of photography will you be doing? How do you envision yourself using this kit?

 

[jfserejo]

Do you want new or used? Do you need an in-camera meter? How "fast" do you need the lenses to be? There are so many suggestions that can be made, but if you can narrow down your requirements, we could make better suggestions.

1. New or Used in good operation order (good cosmetichs because is a gift)
2. In-Camera meter would be fine but not essencial.
3. Lens fasteness is not a priority. Sharpness is more important.

I'm thinking on a mechanichal (that stell shoots when batteries gone) camera, robust body and good hand feel for everyday use.

sincerely,
Joao

 

[wlewisiii]

Given your preferences stated here, the only thing I'd say different is an R instead of the R2 (since you can still get it new) plus it's cheaper. The lenses are all scapels, so you should be quite happy.

William

 

[Kyle]

Given your preferences stated here, the only thing I'd say different is an R instead of the R2 (since you can still get it new) plus it's cheaper. The lenses are all scapels, so you should be quite happy.

William

Can't go wrong with the Bessas! If you go with the R you can get the R + 35/2.5 for $399, then get a 50 for $300, then a 75 for $300 and you still are under budget. That's a complete camera kit for a great price. You can add extra's like a side grip ($45), or an ever-ready case, hoods, filters, etc.

However, can the R's body be considered "robust"?

 

[dgray]

If you have any aspirations at all of expanding your kit later, I'd really try to stay with an M mount instead of the screwmount for greater flexibility in lens choices. You can get a Hexar RF body and the excellent Konica 50/2 lens for about $800-900 if you can shop around. This way you get a body for everyday use that is a step above the build quality of the Bessas. It is not all mechanical as you requested, but a couple of extra batteries in the camera bag are a tiny price to pay for 1/4000 and motor wind. They are very reliable cameras if you get a rangefinder that is dialed in and secured in place. You would have to buy a cheaper wide angle lens with this kit, maybe the CV 28/3.5 used, or the 25/4 (which is great on the Hexar because you don't need to use the external finder). If you can find the body alone for sale, maybe get the 40/1.4 instead of the 50/2 for a real fast lens. A nice CLE with 40/2 in good condition is also a good option with an M mount. If I were you I'd look hard for a while to find one of these two bodies used, recently serviced and in great shape, and go for one of the Bessas only if you can't find one like this or your patience runs out!

 

[back alley]

if flexibility is key then ltm offers the most.

 

[sf]

I'll second the advice for the R3A and two CV lenses. Best value in the 35mm market. Just make sure you check the R3A's framelines intensely before throwing away the receipt.

 

[Kyle]

I'll second the advice for the R3A and two CV lenses. Best value in the 35mm market. Just make sure you check the R3A's framelines intensely before throwing away the receipt.

I'm sorry, I'm not seeing why there are so many suggestions for the R3a and two CV lenses, especially when most CV lenses need an M adaptor. Why not just go for the R, plus three or maybe even four lenses, if budgeted correctly?