Are the prices of the Bessa R skyrockting?Or why they are issane?

[Rhodes]

Is because the camera as such search, or/and just because now their are only a few number of it?
Lately i am seeing the prices of the Bessa R being high, even if I do the mistake to look for it in the various ebays. Their two bodis being sell at 300 € and 375 € (I think) and one in ebay.de that have one body at 500€😱.

Then I decided to look for a M3, and several good bodies (imo and let's just think that the sellers there are the most honest, just for the argument) are being sold (by it know option) by 500€, possibly more and less.

So if one wants to buy a rangefinder body, if it has the chance to give 300 (or 500€) for a bessa r, why not give a little more money and buy a M3? Condiderating that M and LTM lens and adaptors are not in the equation and the having or not light metter.

 

[ludoo]

Look in local camera stores, especially those dealing in vintage Leicas. My local one had two Bessa R in the last few weeks, one was priced 150 euros, the other 120, and both came with a 1-year warranty. I guess when you sell collectors' Leicas, a Bessa R feels like a cheap toy and is often priced accordingly.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Are they actually selling for those prices, Rhodes, or just being listed for those prices?

 

[sevo]

The ones from Germany for 550€ presumably will be the ones by shphoto-gmbh alias photo-arsenal-worldwide etc., a notoriously shady seller whose bizarre and outrageous prices have been topic quite a few times. A quarter to one third their price will be closer to reality...

 

[Rayt]

You are right. I almost bought a used one from KEH last year and I just looked and it is now about $80 more expensive.

 

[Rhodes]

The trouble is, local cameras stores are non existence, in my home town and near by. The big cities like Lisbon or Porto, I may find it but, the prices may also be over rated, just because is a voigtlander bessa (analogy if I may, in a antique fair, one seller ask 100 € for a zorky 4k)! And/or the shops do not have a online services.
Of course, only looking in ebay, I may only find expensive prices.

Sevo, your are right, and that camera was about 500€, now it's 550€, they didn't sell so let put more price??? 😕

http://cgi.ebay.de/Voigtlaender-Voi...3.l1177&_trkparms=240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50 (this one is at 352 €)

I find it courious about the prices because, I saw 3 bessas R being sold here, one for 140$, other for 100$ (body only) and one with lens for 250$. Since they were post in my "nocturnal period" I did no magane to buy it since they tend to go at "warp speed". Since people sell here at fair or the right prices,seein such increse or hight prices, made me ask the question!

 

[Al Kaplan]

The prices might have little to do with any realities beyond that they are being priced at a percentage of a Leica M6 or MP, and as Leica prices climb so do Bessa prices. Bessa cameras have become more popular, as have rangefinders in general.

 

[blazejs]

I have bought mine half year ago with case (that is quite expensive standalone anyway) for PLN 700 (that is currently, at the end of June 2009 USD 215). In Eastern Europe it's rare and prices are usually higher. And vice versa - FSU cameras are common and cheap. You can get a Zorki 4 for EUR 25.

 

[bobkonos]

Skyrocketing? I just sold a mint one here at RFF Classifieds for $200...that's 142 Euro.

 

[raid]

Two weeks ago I bought a Bessa R with some need for film advance repair for $100. I sent it to Eddy Smolov. He laughed when he heard about it and he told me "such cameras are not as easy to repair as Contax cameras".

 

[Rhodes]

Yes, I would also like to find a Bessa R for 100$!

 

[raid]

I got it at nelsonfoto at that price.Maybe I was lucky.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I have bought mine half year ago with case (that is quite expensive standalone anyway) for PLN 700 (that is currently, at the end of June 2009 USD 215). In Eastern Europe it's rare and prices are usually higher. And vice versa - FSU cameras are common and cheap. You can get a Zorki 4 for EUR 25.

Are there any good camera stores in Pzczyna? Gorgeous place -- one of my favourites in Poland -- but no good camera stores that I found in three days there...

I just wish I didn't have to check the spelling EVERY time I try to write it!

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[raid]

The ones from Germany for 550€ presumably will be the ones by shphoto-gmbh alias photo-arsenal-worldwide etc., a notoriously shady seller whose bizarre and outrageous prices have been topic quite a few times. A quarter to one third their price will be closer to reality...

They had something I wanted listed for $785 or so. I offered them $400. They did not bother to respond to my offer.

 

[Carlos Cruz]

Are there any good camera stores in Pzczyna? Gorgeous place -- one of my favourites in Poland -- but no good camera stores that I found in three days there...

I just wish I didn't have to check the spelling EVERY time I try to write it!

Tashi delek,

R.

Don't know about any camera stores in PSZCZYNA, but there's a photofair not far from there in Katowice every 1st sunday of month on warszawska street.

 

[Rhodes]

Raid, luck, yes, or also, you live in a contry that has much offer! Many times, people that are selling good stuff and at even greater prices, are in the US, Canada, etc. Over seas. Shippment costs to portugal are expensive for somethings. In the US are also a great market for various things. Here in portugal, I have to get my B&W films by online shop, and batteries like the LR 44, in the watches shops, since photoshops, do not sell them anymore!

 

[Tuolumne]

Aren't most Bessas still available new at list price?

/T

 

[JohnTF]

Igor at www.Igorcamera.com is often very reasonable with Bessa's, he sold three or four with lenses at a recent show. He is out of town, but email him, he ships worldwide, and if he comes across one-- well you can take it from there.

He has friends also that seem to come across collections of Bessa.

Regards, John