Bessa Body and Lens Purchase Advice Requested

[mirrored]

Sorry, don't yet read this all, but pure 1:1 finder can be along the reason for choosing it. For me it was at once I had looked through. Both eyes open.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66911

 

[MCTuomey]

david, welcome. i can't add much except to say, jump in - the water's fine.

beginner problem is you can't really decide well without having used the cameras a bit, and you can't use the cameras until you decide ...

remember that you can buy, try, and sell here easily, so finding your way isn't painful.

 

[noimmunity]

catch-22

catch-22

beginner problem is you can't really decide well without having used the cameras a bit, and you can't use the cameras until you decide ...

ain't that the truth! (says the fellow who started with an R3A, sold it after six months for a ZI...yet finally got another as a 3rd body)...

 

[david.elliott]

Thomasw:
I will surely keep my eyes open. 🙂

Fred:
Thanks for the helpful followup. Much appreciated!

Bingley:
Hooray for dropping prices!

TomBob:
Thanks for the heads up re the Bessa R. I hadnt looked at it at all, but I will be sure to check it out.

Andrew Sowerby:
Thank you for the R2A comparison. I havent gotten around to looking into the hexanon much yet, but so far everything I have read seems very positive.

Mirrored:
Thank you for the nod to the 1:1 viewfinder. Glad to know you are enjoying it. 🙂

McTuomey and noimmunity:
Thanks for the welcome. Haha, that certainly does seem to be the problem. Oh well.

 

[david.elliott]

Thank you all for your help.

Last night I purchased a R3M with 50/1.5 nokton and a mini soft release from Mr. Gandy.

😀

 

[Lilserenity]

Hey that's cool, I really hope you enjoy it 🙂 I'm sure you will!

 

[Thardy]

Now that you've taken the RF plunge, take a look at getting a film slr.

I bought my daughter an N80 with a battery grip for about $90. She will be taking B&W photography in school next semester, otherwise she would want a digital camera.

If you have regular (non DX) Nikon lenses your cost will be very low.


Oh, congratulation on your new purchase.

 

[Spider67]

On the other hand....an R2* with some adapters LTM to M is a way to go. So if you have the money why not go for a new camera with a warranty as the R's sold now are mainly 2nd hand. I bought my R & R2 used as thyt was the only way I could afford them as the prices for new once in Austriia and Germany are way to high.
Of course you can not use FSU 35 mm's with them.

 

[jody36]

If you want focus to be as accurate as you can get it and also want a quiet shutter, best get a second hand Leica. You could get one and have it CLA'd for a similar price to a new Bessa, and the CLA should come with a warranty (1 year?). If you want a built in meter, or AE its not such a good option though.

Not True Ive been trying for a year to find a M mount that I could do this too for under 600 US. No luck.

I have bessa R which is 5 years old and gives me no trouble based on this I purchased a r3m and hope I like it as well if not better. My only complaint on bessa r is the focus patch is hard to see in low light and I have 20-10 vision. As far as shutter sound people will notice camera at your face before they hear it so unless you shoot in an environment that calls for quiet what difference does it make? I too was gonna get used leica but decided to buy new I have enough old stuff and a red dot although attractive will not make my photos better. As far as 40mm lines go cant you frame in 50mm all you want in shot then crop if this better suits your eyes? And I would go all manual just because I like it. Even though batteries are cheap and I have extras, something else could go wrong. Go with the 50mm LSM in case you buy an old screw mount rangefinder eventually. I THINK YOU WILL. ITS ADDICTIVE. ALso since your saving some bucks by going with a bessa buy a Konica Auto S2 easily had for under 50 us in great shape this to me is a really nice camera with a great lens. And you are right about shooting film. You wil either slow down and think or waste lots of film.
enjoy and welcome to the rangefinder world.
Oh by the way Merry christmas

 

[jody36]

Missed the post where you already got one. Good choice. As far as durability that other talk about the Bessas haven't been around long enough to say that there not durable. But much like Tvs if I dont pay much to begin with then Im not as unhappy when i only get ten years out of it.

 

[david.elliott]

Thanks jody!

And Merry Christmas to you as well.