Bessa dilema

[Jethangar]

Hi Folks,

I have a mint condition in the box Bessa T 101 edition in the navy blue color with the trigger winder to match (purchased 1 year ago from CameraQuest). The set-up cost around $1500. I tried 2 rolls of film and the pictures seemed decent enough. I then bought a circa 1960 Leica M3 with a 50mm Summicron for $1345 and the pictures are some of the best I've ever taken. Now, of course, I wish I had just bought the Leica at the outset. I didn't realize such an old camera could take such amazing photos. So, my question is how much is the Bessa worth on the resale market? It doesn't seem to make sense to have both of these cameras around. Thanks for suggestions.

Steve :bang:

 

[JohnM]

That is a tough, tough question - I would think that it is a collectible, but I would also think that the fact that a Bessa T is available for $185 brand new would come into play.

Gandy has one Blue set for sale at $1050 and Olive/black sets at $950. The trigger winders he prices at $399 on their own. (Olive/black - no blue.)

My best guess - pick a number you're comfortable with and see if someone on Photo.net doesn't bite. Good luck!

 

[RML]

Check the Cameraquest pricelist for some interesting information on the trigger winders. The T in blue goes for $1050 (new); the trigger winder goes for $400 (new) but it seems they're pretty rare, and Gandy doesn't have any blue ones on offer.

 

[BillG]

The item that is of perhaps more interest is the Heliar 50mm f3.5 collapsible lens. It only came with the T101 and it received just about the highest praise ever given to a lens by, I think it was Popular Photography.

So the value of the plain T model, doesn't really factor in.

Quite a number of people buy the T101 for the Heliar lens, they only came with that model and the production number was small.

 

[former member]

I just have to be me.

Just because my M3 has the nicest viewfinder/rangefinder, quietest shutter, smoothest wind, and takes some of the best pictures that I have does not mean that I want to sell my other cameras. To the contrary, I bought A Summarit in LTM for my Canon.

If the Heliar is a real cult lens, hold onto it long enough for the reputation to grow and the supply to dry up, 1~2years. Then sell it or offer in trade for ohter M-Mount lenses, such as a 90mm F2 Summicron.

 

[Nikon Bob]

BillG

You are right it was in Popular Photography and it was one of the highest ratings they ever gave any lens.

Bob