Another happy Bessa R owner

[Rogrund]

OK, now I'm in the RF business too. Like many of you, I ordered a Bessa R from Mr. Gandy! Since I couldn't decide which lens to go for (35 or 50 mm Color-Skopar or 50/1.5 Nokton) I bought a second hand Industar 61L/D as a temporary solution. BTW, I've seen this lens has been described as "a pig's snout", which actually fits quite well. However, the "pig's snout" look is history when it comes to my lens,
since I also came across a real nice vented hood. But that's mere aesthetics.

I've ran a roll through the Bessa (I hope to enclose a few thumbnails) and I'm very pleased so far. I had expected a more plastic feeling, and was surprised over the quality. But then again, I've never had a opportunity to hold a Leica...

I've had a few SLR's in the past, but I haven't done any serious photography since my teens. So now I'm planning to make up for lost time. Actually, one of my sons (the 11-year-old) also got bitten by the RF bug, so I bought him a Yashica Minister to fool around with.

So, I just want to say I'm happy to be a member of the RFF, you seem to be a very nice crowd!

/Antti

 

[wyk_penguin]

Welcome.

Now you just need more lenses and more bodies to become one of the group. :bang:

 

[pvdhaar]

OK, now I'm in the RF business too. Like many of you, I ordered a Bessa R from Mr. Gandy! Since I couldn't decide which lens to go for (35 or 50 mm Color-Skopar or 50/1.5 Nokton) I bought a second hand Industar 61L/D as a temporary solution. BTW, I've seen this lens has been described as "a pig's snout", which actually fits quite well. However, the "pig's snout" look is history when it comes to my lens,
since I also came across a real nice vented hood. But that's mere aesthetics.

I've ran a roll through the Bessa (I hope to enclose a few thumbnails) and I'm very pleased so far. I had expected a more plastic feeling, and was surprised over the quality. But then again, I've never had a opportunity to hold a Leica...

I've had a few SLR's in the past, but I haven't done any serious photography since my teens. So now I'm planning to make up for lost time. Actually, one of my sons (the 11-year-old) also got bitten by the RF bug, so I bought him a Yashica Minister to fool around with.

So, I just want to say I'm happy to be a member of the RFF, you seem to be a very nice crowd!

/Antti

Welcome Antti!

I'm sure you'll like hanging round here.

Now you just need more lenses and more bodies to become one of the group.

Hold on, wait a minute! No need to spill the secret that there's an inner circle of RFFers who have a slew of 50mm lenses..! Just kidding of course (sort of..)..

 

[dazedgonebye]

I don't even like 50mm and I find I have 5 of them in LTM alone!

Welcome aboard. Nice first efforts...better than my first roll (I just scanned and disapointed myself).

 

[robin a]

Welcome,nice photos and a great camera.There's a great bunch on this forum,you won't be disappointed ..........Robin

 

[fishtek]

Welcome to the community, Antti! Lots of good resources and encouragement here.

Regards!
Don

 

[lZr]

Welcome Antti. Nice shots and scans. The I 55/2.8 L/D is nice lens, but I think you don't have the exposure meter. Blocked? True?

 

[Rogrund]

Welcome Antti. Nice shots and scans. The I 55/2.8 L/D is nice lens, but I think you don't have the exposure meter. Blocked? True?

Thanks! Actually, I'm a bit worried about the quality of the scans, I have used a cheap flatbed scanner borrowed from work...
I'm not sure what you mean with the exposure meter, could you please explain?
regards/Antti

 

[lZr]

I think the lens blocks the light cell used to meter the exposure, but I am not sure.
Do you meter the exposure with the camera?
Which flatbad scanner. I use Epson 4990

 

[Rogrund]

lZr, now I see what you mean! But no, I think the exposure meter works just fine. I didn't even know there could be a problem...

The scanner is a CanoScan N1220.

I visited your gallery, I really like your photos! Do you scan your negatives or your prints? Do you do your developing and printing yourself?

 

[lZr]

Thanks Rogrund. I scan my negs and slides with the Epson 4990. I use sometimes my Mamiya RB67 for 6x6, 6x4.5 and 6x7 format. Never scan prints. Also, I never print before scan. I do my prints only with pro masters from CD after carefull selection. Forgot - I develop B&W for myself - 35 mm and 6x7

 

[lubitel]

Rogrund,

congrats on the Bessa R - a great RF camera. I-61 would not block your lightmeter. russian 50mm lenses work fine with bessa, the only problem is the 35mm J-12 which has a huge rear element which will block the meter. I usually scan from prints because my negative scanner really sucks. The quality of 9x13cm scan at 300 dpi is certainly enough for internet. However you should do a little bit of tweaking with the images in photoshop or other photo program. Adjust levels or curves or colors. you can also do this while scanning.

 

[Rogrund]

Rogrund,

congrats on the Bessa R - a great RF camera. I-61 would not block your lightmeter. russian 50mm lenses work fine with bessa, the only problem is the 35mm J-12 which has a huge rear element which will block the meter. I usually scan from prints because my negative scanner really sucks. The quality of 9x13cm scan at 300 dpi is certainly enough for internet. However you should do a little bit of tweaking with the images in photoshop or other photo program. Adjust levels or curves or colors. you can also do this while scanning.

Thanks for your comments, lubitel! I have to confess I'm a REAL idiot when it comes to digital photography and image processing. I'm more of a darkroom guy, but without a darkroom for the time being.🙁 But I guess I just have to learn. 🙂 Can you recommend a book or a website about digital photography etc. for the beginner?

Antti

 

[AirTimid]

I had an awesome website in mind, but I never bookmarked the URL 🙁 Anyways, I think the 3 basic things you need to read up on are 1. Levels 2. Curves and 3. Sharpening. Getting familiar with these basics will essentially allow you to touch up any photo and obtain decent results. I'd worry about the more complicated stuff (ie. fxing color cast etc) for later on. The standard for imaging software is Photoshop. Elements is good, cheap and does a lot of the basic things Photoshop does, but I don't think it has curve adjustments. Another program I like is GIMP, which is pretty powerful, has curve adjustments and fits within everyone's budget....it's FREE!! Anyways, good luck. I'm still a beginner myself, but i've read a lot on the web and watched a few tutorials. This guy has some really good tutorials, but everything is done with photoshop. http://www.radiantvista.com/video_tutorials/

Good luck.

ELroy

 

[Cruseiros]

the children expression is fantastic! great shot!

 

[Rogrund]

AirTimid: thanks for the basic info!
Cruseiros: thanks for the comment!

 

[Shooter]

I scan my negs and slides with the Epson 4990. I use sometimes my Mamiya RB67 for 6x6, 6x4.5 and 6x7 format. Never scan prints. Also, I never print before scan. I do my prints only with pro masters from CD after carefull selection. Forgot - I develop B&W for myself - 35 mm and 6x7

IZr - just asking for a clarification here, since I am considering getting a 4990, it will scan 6x7 negs and slides?

 

[reagan]

OK, now I'm in the RF business too.

Certainly welcome to RFF! And with the I.61, you've stepped one foot over on the FSU side. However, you did get your first roll to actually come out with images on it, which often isn't the case among us FSUites, but we'll forgive you for that. 😉 Anyway, from your pics, I'd say the BessaR.IndustaR is a fun and rewarding combo!

 

[lZr]

Yes , Shooter, 4990 scans 6x7 and 6x9. I think there is no better scanner for 120/220 film on the planet for the budget. It scans also 4x5 negs and slides and much bigger.

 

[Shooter]

Yes , Shooter, 4990 scans 6x7 and 6x9. I think there is no better scanner for 120/220 film on the planet for the budget. It scans also 4x5 negs and slides and much bigger.

Cool, thank you. That's the one I will get then.