Bessa a good first Range Finder?

Well, as much as a new one would be great, I can't really justify the expense. The Bessa would be my first RF and first proper film camera (discount a £30 Kodak 110 camera 20 years ago). As such, it's possible I'll have a try of it and decide I want to stick with digital, or maybe film is fine but RF isn't for me.

It's not really a matter of saving up the money, it's a matter of not wanting to spend it!

Also, brand new Bessa/lens is similar in price to s/h Leica M6 or Epson RD-1, consideration of which would further lengthen my indecision...
 
thegman said:
Well, the 40mm Nokton is gone, but the shop in question has a 50mm 1.5 Nokton too, but at £350, I'm not sure it's good value, the 40mm Nokton was £310, and brand new, it's a more expensive lens.



Garry
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Garry, Cameraquest has the 50/1.5 listed at $369. Add an adapter for an M mount and that bumps it up to around $420. I see the dollar is at £0.628 today. Might be worth finding out if the new one from the U.S., including shipping, might be cheaper than that used one.
 
You're right, I've just been on CameraQuest, and emailed them about shipping, I think even with FedEx, I'm looking at a decent saving. Inconvenience aside, are there any disadvantages of a lens with an adaptor? I understand that converting some mounts to others comes with flaws like not being able to focus on infinity, although I'm guessing Leica screw to M is probably OK.
 
thegman said:
... are there any disadvantages of a lens with an adaptor? I understand that converting some mounts to others comes with flaws like not being able to focus on infinity, although I'm guessing Leica screw to M is probably OK.
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I've never noticed any. You attach it. It stays on. You move on. (When you remove the lens, the adapter remains attached.)

Granted, I once needed to remove one. It was reluctant to dis-attach after spending so much time attached to its lens. But, a little gentle leverage persuaded it to let go.
 
My Bessa R is very nice to use. Takes great looking images with my 'new' old Elmar 50 2.8 collapsible.
 

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You're right, I've just been on CameraQuest, and emailed them about shipping, I think even with FedEx, I'm looking at a decent saving
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You might get stung for import duty and VAT, depending on the declared valuation - and then you'd have to pay the Post Office an additional fee for being kind enough to handle it for you. (Though the couple of times I've bought stuff from CameraQuest, my packages haven't been stopped).
 
Going the other way -- Europe to the U.S. -- I've made several purchases and never had to pay import duties, although I certainly expected that. Once, I called the local post office to ask how they handled that. No one had a clue.
 
Once, I called the local post office to ask how they handled that. No one had a clue
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I suspect my local post office in the UK wouldn't know either, as they don't handle it - dutiable packages are picked up at one of the central offices.
 
Alan, as far as I know, the Postal Service here should collect import fees on items shipped via the mail. I've had several packages delivered on which the fee was clearly indicated but no one ever made any attempt to collect it or bill me. Items shipped by UPS, FedEx, etc., are followed in a few days by a bill from the shipper for the fee.
 
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