A "Should I buy this Bessa" thread

[Chris101]

I already have a Leica, but it works best with a 35mm (M4-P) which I have. But I've always wanted another RF for a 50mm. So I saw in my local camera store's used camera case, a Bessa R2 with a collapsable Leitz Summitar f/2. First off, does this combination of camera and lens work. I looked through it, and the 50mm lines looked fine - plenty big, and the finder was bright, the RF seemed to work (a guy I estimated as 12 feet away looked to be between 3 and 4 meters on the lens) and nothing looked obviously broken. I didn't try it, but does this lens collapse into the body ok? What else should I look out for?

The price on it was $450, but they said it was consignment, so I can negotiate. The full price will mean that I am broke for the next month - I won't be able to visit my girlfriend in California or eat much more than cheap lunchmeat and chicarones. What's a reasonable offer?

 

[nzeeman]

it is pretty good deal - but what is not good is that you wouldn't see your gf if you buy it. i dont like to give advices about relationships - but something probably is not good with relationship if new camera is more important. dont be mad at me for saying this - i said it with only good things in mind...

if you are buying it - check out all speeds first and bring a meter to check close distance...

 

[denmark.yuzon]

leave the camera, go visit your girlfriend for some quality time first, and wait for another camera that is worth getting broke.

 

[Larky]

If it was a Leica for a steal, I'd say get it! But a Bessa over your girl, go see you girl. And then make sure she doesn't see this thread. 🙂

 

[umboody]

Yeh, I'd agree with the others, if you're not convinced by the deal, it's a lot of money to pay for something you're not 100% sure about. I'm sure there are better deals out there...

 

[thomasw_]

chris, wait and snag a user M3 for about the same amount. way better with a 50. i'm with the others, go see your girl.

 

[elshaneo]

Not really a good deal, go see the Girlfriend and spend some quality time instead ;-)

 

[historicist]

Yeah, I'm going to add to the see our girlfriend vote. When I used to visit my ex, I would use the opportunity to take pictures or visit her local camera shops, and now I really, really regret it.

 

[kuzano]

I am a true geek.... I know that for a fact

I am a true geek.... I know that for a fact

I've worked on computers long enough to earn that title. However, one who would place a camera purchase before a visit with a "girlfriend", would be advised to:

Honestly evaluate the relationship with the GF

AND, don and proudly wear the crown of "Prince of Geekdom".

Furthermore, in the unlikely event that you ever visit this lady in the future, do not take the camera along and crow about the wonderful deal, and how it got in the way of your last proposed visit.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

If you have to make that choice.....get a girlfriend that lives local - preferably with plenty of dough! - then you can have the best of both! 😉

 

[P. Lynn Miller]

Chris,

The Bessa R2 is a great little camera with a bright and capable viewfinder with tendencies to be rattly and noisy compared to Leica. I had a real struggle with my R2 when I first got, you should remember from my postings over at Nikon Cafe a year or so ago. With all its failings, it is an endearing little lump that works and works well after you work the bugs out of them.

I had a lot of trouble with the rangefinder going out of alignment until I took it apart and 'fixed' myself. Has not gone out since and has spent a lot of time riding around in the handle-bar bag of my bike and getting bumped and banged in my bag.

I sold mine, re-bought from the buyer... but probably will sell it again, as I need to raise capital for a rather large acquisition in the near future.

The R2 and a 50mm work well, never used the Summitar, but I have and used the Color-Skopar 50mm f2.5 extensively. The contact sheets that I published to your New Concept Gallery were all shot with the R2 and 50/2.5 from memory.

The R2 is not a Leica, but is a very good, fun-to-use camera.

As for the price you quoted, was that for the camera body only or for the R2 and Summitar?

 

[le vrai rdu]

I would love to have this little 50 2,5 a beautiful family with my 35 2,5 🙂

 

[capitalK]

I've had my R2A for almost a year now as my main camera, and I was the second owner (though it was as-new when I bought it).

It has stood up very well for me... it's not a Leica and never will be but it has performed nicely. It has fallen from waist-high on to concrete without even a hiccup. There is some wear from when I had a strap attached without watching where the metal will rub, but that's my fault.

I want to buy a second M mount body and I am up in the air as to what to buy... I keep flipping from M2/M3/M4 meterless bodies to an M5 or CL. Sometimes I think I want a CLE or a Hexar or buying a second Bessa. No matter what I end up buying I think I'll keep the R2A... it's been really good to me.

 

[-doomed-]

I love my R2A , but i paid $260 for it in like new condition with the box and it didnt leave me broke . If I were you id pass on it , visit your lady and eat decent for the rest of the month.

 

[Chris101]

Thank you all for your caring responses. I've known my "California girlfriend" for 20 years now, and missing one trip (I go there as often as time and money allow) won't doom the relationship - even if I fess up the reason why!

Lynn, yes the lens is included for the 450. And that is the reason I was interested. I've been wanting to get a 50mm classic 50mm lens, and everything I've read on the Summitar says that it's as classic as it gets.

So I will go back to that store (Dan, I'll say which one as soon as I've made my final decision) and make them an offer. Just to be clear, I am ambivalent about the camera, but I want the lens. But I need to do the flashlight test, and check the mechanics, and be sure it collapses without hitting anything inside the camera.

Does anyone have a recommendation for what a fair price would be? I can't find any of these lenses for sale anywhere for comparison.

 

[charjohncarter]

I already have a Leica, but it works best with a 35mm (M4-P) which I have. But I've always wanted another RF for a 50mm. So I saw in my local camera store's used camera case, a Bessa R2 with a collapsable Leitz Summitar f/2. First off, does this combination of camera and lens work. I looked through it, and the 50mm lines looked fine - plenty big, and the finder was bright, the RF seemed to work (a guy I estimated as 12 feet away looked to be between 3 and 4 meters on the lens) and nothing looked obviously broken. I didn't try it, but does this lens collapse into the body ok? What else should I look out for?

The price on it was $450, but they said it was consignment, so I can negotiate. The full price will mean that I am broke for the next month - I won't be able to visit my girlfriend in California or eat much more than cheap lunchmeat and chicarones. What's a reasonable offer?

Buy it: have your girlfriend come to your place, and serve her (and yourself) Top Ramen (sp?).

 

[Chris101]

Ya know Carter, since she moved to the beach, I can't convince her to come back to the desert at all, especially in the summer. Fine with me though, cause I get to go there whenever Phoenix gets to be too much!

 

[charjohncarter]

Well, I guess it is chicarones alone then, but at least you can look at the new Bessa.

 

[clicker]

Borrow the money from your girlfriend and buy the camera ( then go visit her), girlfriends are forgiving where a wife might be a different story.

 

[Chris101]

I like the way you think clicker!

Thanks to everybody that offered camera, and/or relationship advice! I have decided not to buy the camera. Dan, it's at Photomark, on McDowell and 23rd Street.