Anyone prefer the Bessa R to later models?

[CDT]

I'm shopping for a CV rangefinder. I currently only have LTM lenses and my favorite camera is my IIIg. It seems the Bessa R is widely regarded as a lesser model, but I think I might just want one. Based on internet research alone it seems:

The R is cheaper
Uses the same finder as later .7 mag model
Same shutter and internal mechanics as R2 etc
Is a little smaller and quite a bit lighter (good in my eyes)

I would like AE, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra $150 (comparing R rices and R2A prices). I understand the later, metal backed models, have a better feel but does this really translate into better reliability?

Anything else I'm missing?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[raid]

My R broke as I was visiting Cairo.
Maybe there are some reliability problems present.

 

[Krosya]

My R is working fine yet my 3 out of 4 Leicas broke when I had them - must be reliability problems 😉 . Seriously, any camera can break. Bessa R is a great camera that does what it is suppose to do well and at a good price. Is it perfect - no, but pretty darn good one.

 

[raid]

OK... point is taken.
I like the camera a lot, and after I will get it fixed, I will use it again a lot.

 

[CDT]

What broke?

 

[raid]

The film advance did not work anymore. The ratcheting was damaged.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The R2 is my favourite. Feels a lot better in the hand than the R and is cross-compatible with both M and 39mm x 26 tpi lenses.

Cheers,

R.

 

[andreios]

I cannot complain about my R2, though I have it only for a little time.

 

[raid]

The R does not work with M lenses.
Is this a "problem"?

 

[wakarimasen]

As a new 'R' user, I can only recommend it. I've only used fixed lens rangefinders until now (35RC, Electro 35, QL17-GIII etc) and can only say the viewfinder and rangefinder patch are two leagues above!

Best regards,
RoyM

 

[Roger Hicks]

The R does not work with M lenses.
Is this a "problem"?

Dear Raid,

Only if you (a) already have any or (b) might conceivably get any. Why limit your options?

Cheers,

R.

 

[johannielscom]

I bought an R to try it out, but it's not my kind of camera. It's for sale, see my signature.

 

[raid]

Dear Roger,

I am not; it was an honest question.
I did not take with me on my last trip the 50/2 Summicron because it was M mount and R was LTM. On the other hand, I wanted to "spare" my Leica the risk of theft.

 

[tennis-joe]

I went out of the country and I worried about taking expensive Leica M's with me so I took my Bessa R. It is lighter and has internal light meter as my M3 doesn't. I didn't want to take an M6 with me as the nine days I spent out of the country I saw one M8, and two other Leicas being carried in the region of Italy I went to. Most tourists had P&S digital cameras with them and everyone was snapping shots.
Joe

 

[robin a]

My R's been good to me.4 yrs. and running...........

Robin

 

[gb hill]

I have a Bessa R. It gets a bit of flack about feeling cheap but it's a good camera. I've had mine for two years. I also have a Bessa L that gets a bad rep too. It's a really fun camera, probably my favorite to shoot with the 25/4. A lot of people have R's & you rarely hear of any problems out of them except the wind on lever sticking at end of roll, which both my R & L does, but pressing the rewind button will free it. Then user error of people jamming the gears by jerking the wind on lever too quickly. Get one, I think you will like it. If not, it will sell fast!

 

[Roger Hicks]

I went out of the country and I worried about taking expensive Leica M's with me so I took my Bessa R. It is lighter and has internal light meter as my M3 doesn't. I didn't want to take an M6 with me as the nine days I spent out of the country I saw one M8, and two other Leicas being carried in the region of Italy I went to. Most tourists had P&S digital cameras with them and everyone was snapping shots.
Joe

Dear Joe,

Why?

You mean when you travel, with the opportunity to take new and unusual pics, possibly the picture of a lifetime, you prefer a second-string camera? Why did you buy the Leica, then? And how much does it matter what other people are carrying?

Cheers,

R.

 

[back alley]

i re-started in photography agian with the purchase of a bessa r and a few lenses. it was a great transition kit for me. i liked the feel of the camera and wondered why it was always spoken of in poor terms. and it changed my former opinion of screw mount cameras, they were fun and just as easy to use.

but, as for a favourite bessa it would have to be the r4a, just a solid little machine with a great set of frames.

 

[back alley]

Dear Joe,

Why?

You mean when you travel, with the opportunity to take new and unusual pics, possibly the picture of a lifetime, you prefer a second-string camera? Why did you buy the Leica, then? And how much does it matter what other people are carrying?

Cheers,

R.

i share this curiosity as well. why have good gear but take a lesser kit?

 

[Spyderman]

It seems most people praise the R, but those who have owned the R and one of the later models still prefer the later model.

The R was my first good RF after the soviet Zorkis and FEDs, and it was a huge step up. Later when I upgraded to R2, it wasn't such a huge step up, because it's basically the same camera in more rugged body.

If you can afford it, buy one of the later models, if not, the R is still a very good camera.