pcfranchina
Well-known
Currently I have a QL-17 GIII and a New 28 but am gettin a itch to make a purchase. How do you feel about the Bessa R? Anything else in the price range worth it?
Kim Coxon
Moderator
I know the feeling. I went down this route and 9 months ago got an R. I was almost delighted with it. It is nice to use etc but it wasn't quite there. I now have aCanon VI-L and am truely delighted. Nothing wrong with the R but the Canon is so much better. So much so, I am almost at the stage of getiing rid of the R and getting another Canon but it is too near Xmas to decide
Kim
Kim
pcfranchina
Well-known
But I do love the idea of buying a rangefinder that is new and not spending a fortune. I do hear some mixed reviews on the Bessa R.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
I'm another Bessa R user that found it to be competent, but not my cup of tea, so to speak.
It handles a 35mm Skopar or fairly light weight 50mm very well. It gets a bit dicier when shooting longer focal length lenses wide open. Hefty lenses feel a bit unbalanced on a light weight body. I shoot indoors a lot and the camera's shutter is a bit distracting for shooting stealthily in a large college classroom.
Classic rangefinders hit their heyday about 45 years ago. The Bessa does have a built in TTL meter and extra shutter speed going for it. The LTM Canons of the 1950's and early 60's were much better built, handle heavier lenses better than the Bessa and have a wider effective RF base.
Just figure in a CLA on any classic rangefinder and go from there.
It handles a 35mm Skopar or fairly light weight 50mm very well. It gets a bit dicier when shooting longer focal length lenses wide open. Hefty lenses feel a bit unbalanced on a light weight body. I shoot indoors a lot and the camera's shutter is a bit distracting for shooting stealthily in a large college classroom.
Classic rangefinders hit their heyday about 45 years ago. The Bessa does have a built in TTL meter and extra shutter speed going for it. The LTM Canons of the 1950's and early 60's were much better built, handle heavier lenses better than the Bessa and have a wider effective RF base.
Just figure in a CLA on any classic rangefinder and go from there.
pcfranchina
Well-known
As much as I would like a Canon P the price is high.
Besides for the Bessa is there any other new rangefinders out there that wont cost me my kid's college fund?
Besides for the Bessa is there any other new rangefinders out there that wont cost me my kid's college fund?
lubitel
Well-known
When you decide to get rid of that R, let me know. I held one in a store for a few minutes, and was really amazed, but then I never held a Canon VI-L or a Leica, or any other rangefinder other than the Russians.
The Canon 7 is a good choice if you want a vintage camera, the prices are about the same or less than the Bessa R. It has a wide-base RF and is fine for lenses out to 135mm. It has projected framelines (like the R) w lines for 35 - 50 - 85/100 - 135, metal shutter, and a built in selenium meter. Its two weak points are lack of an accessory shoe for use with wider-than-35mm lenses and the selenium meter. The latter may still work, and be accurate, but fails on many. Mine work and are accurate.
Expect a good operating Canon 7 to go for $300~$400 with an F1.8 lens, depending on condition. Under $250 without lens.
Expect a good operating Canon 7 to go for $300~$400 with an F1.8 lens, depending on condition. Under $250 without lens.
pcfranchina
Well-known
If I was going to stay vintage I am just going to stay with my GIII and my older SLRs. Anything out there new that compares to the Bessa?
Solinar
Analog Preferred
If you ever decide to cross the Rubicon and get a vintage camera, the Canon 7 series offers the best of both worlds. By this I mean modern design and old school workmanship.
Brian Sweeney said: