Windwalker57
Established
I just received a Bessa L in black that I won on *bay, to match the VC 15mm Heliar lens that I purchased at a great price, thanks to a HU posted an RFF member. Many Thanks, Guys!
First impression: The post office roughed up the box some, but the camera was well packed. When I finally got all the bubble wrap off, I was, well, shocked. The Bessa L is tinier than I expected. Then I had a bigger shock - the camera is MINT!
Not a mark on it, save the fingerprints I put on it. A fresh battery was installed by the seller. The camera also included a premium strap, a Domke gripper. I unpacked and mounted my new ultrawide lens and finder. The lens threads on silky smooth, better than my very old Pentax did and the finder slid into the shoe smoothly, just snug enough. Nice feel to the hand, everything can be operated without hunting for the right controls. Try that with a DSLR!
Test loaded an out-dated roll because I haven't loaded film in a LOOOONG time. No problems loading, after 30+ years, I can do it without thinking about it. Loaded the camera with a fresh roll, Kodak High Definition 400 and headed out the door to shoot!
I wear reading glasses, so I was worried I would have to constantly switch my glasses off and on when shooting. As it happens, I left them inside on the counter! Outdoors, I can read the focus scale enough that I can set it, the F-Stop and Shutter Speed Dials were easier to see. After a couple of shots, I could see I was just going to leave the focus set at a hyper-focal distance and just shoot, as the exposures were at f11 to f16. Shutter speeds averaged 1/125 to 1/500 during my shoot.
I can't believe the big bright viewfinder, so water clear that I forgot it existed. Even though I am left eyed, the camera fitted me well with nothing jabbing me in the eye or face. I can see the LEDs with the camera at my eye, making it real easy to shoot with. All the controls on the camera and lens are smooth and silky. (not as buttery as an M3, though)
This is a hard lens to wrap your head around because of the gigantic angle of view. Lately, my widest angle lens I have available to me on my D70 is a 28mm equivalent, so the perspective differences and the empty foreground were things taht required the most attention. I've used 20mm lenses before, I loved it on my film Nikons, but this 15mm is seriously wider. One shot may have my shoes in it!
I am very pleased that I purchased this camera and lens combination, I can't wait to get out and shoot more film. I would like to thank the wonderful people of RFF for all their help in locating such a fine lens and camera and suggestions on how to shoot it. RFF is a wonderful place to learn things, even for a lurker like myself.
I will try to upload a pic later, maybe a scan or two.
First impression: The post office roughed up the box some, but the camera was well packed. When I finally got all the bubble wrap off, I was, well, shocked. The Bessa L is tinier than I expected. Then I had a bigger shock - the camera is MINT!
Not a mark on it, save the fingerprints I put on it. A fresh battery was installed by the seller. The camera also included a premium strap, a Domke gripper. I unpacked and mounted my new ultrawide lens and finder. The lens threads on silky smooth, better than my very old Pentax did and the finder slid into the shoe smoothly, just snug enough. Nice feel to the hand, everything can be operated without hunting for the right controls. Try that with a DSLR!
Test loaded an out-dated roll because I haven't loaded film in a LOOOONG time. No problems loading, after 30+ years, I can do it without thinking about it. Loaded the camera with a fresh roll, Kodak High Definition 400 and headed out the door to shoot!
I wear reading glasses, so I was worried I would have to constantly switch my glasses off and on when shooting. As it happens, I left them inside on the counter! Outdoors, I can read the focus scale enough that I can set it, the F-Stop and Shutter Speed Dials were easier to see. After a couple of shots, I could see I was just going to leave the focus set at a hyper-focal distance and just shoot, as the exposures were at f11 to f16. Shutter speeds averaged 1/125 to 1/500 during my shoot.
I can't believe the big bright viewfinder, so water clear that I forgot it existed. Even though I am left eyed, the camera fitted me well with nothing jabbing me in the eye or face. I can see the LEDs with the camera at my eye, making it real easy to shoot with. All the controls on the camera and lens are smooth and silky. (not as buttery as an M3, though)
This is a hard lens to wrap your head around because of the gigantic angle of view. Lately, my widest angle lens I have available to me on my D70 is a 28mm equivalent, so the perspective differences and the empty foreground were things taht required the most attention. I've used 20mm lenses before, I loved it on my film Nikons, but this 15mm is seriously wider. One shot may have my shoes in it!
I am very pleased that I purchased this camera and lens combination, I can't wait to get out and shoot more film. I would like to thank the wonderful people of RFF for all their help in locating such a fine lens and camera and suggestions on how to shoot it. RFF is a wonderful place to learn things, even for a lurker like myself.
I will try to upload a pic later, maybe a scan or two.
gb hill
Veteran
I love reading reviews of people who get a new camera. The Bessa L is a nice camera. I use the 25/4 lens on mine. You should really consider getting this lens before they are gone. Then I feel like you would have the perfect Bessa L kit. I want to one day get a 15mm for mine. These lenses are so cool, and takes wonderful photos. Have fun with the camera. Oh yea, I have 2 of those Domke straps and I love em.
dazedgonebye
Veteran
I had this set up briefly and sold it because it wasn't really what I wanted to do with film photography. I regret it at times...like when I read of someone having fun with it.
I think a Bessa L with the 15 or 21mm lenses makes a great wide angle 35mm kit.
I think a Bessa L with the 15 or 21mm lenses makes a great wide angle 35mm kit.
Windwalker57
Established
I had originally thought to get a cheap camera to mount the 15mm lens while I saved up for a Leica M6, but now, I think I am going to keep the Bessa L and not sell it. I may also look at the 25mm CV, I like that focal length for landscape and architecture shots. I lost the ability to shoot wide when I converted to digital to my creative detriment. The Bessa L is definitely a way of getting back what I lost. I did concider a Sigma 10-22mm lens for my D70, but I was put off by the poor corner performance and barrel distortion. Now I need a case for this camera, all of mine are much too big!
oscroft
Veteran
Congratulations - the Bessa-L and CV 15 make a great combination! The 15 was my reason for getting involved in Voigtlander equipment - I've been a wideangle fan for years, and I just couldn't resist it (and at the time the L was on offer for £35 when bought with the lens, so what else could I do?).
The 15 field of view does take some getting used to, and keeping your bodily particles out of the shot can be tricky - I've even managed to get my nose in a shot (and it's really not a big one).
Look forward to seeing some shots - have fun
The 15 field of view does take some getting used to, and keeping your bodily particles out of the shot can be tricky - I've even managed to get my nose in a shot (and it's really not a big one).
Look forward to seeing some shots - have fun
oscroft
Veteran
I did something very similar - I actually later had two Ls, with 15mm and 21mm lenses, but I sold one to help pay for an M6 and the other to help pay for a Bessa-R4A. I kinda regret not keeping one L.
I've got the screw mount 25, and it's a fine lens, and I thought the R4A would be fine with it (the lens is not RF-coupled, but I'm happy with hyperfocal distance focusing). But what I didn't consider is that the R4's parallax-corrected VF frame is at the wrong end of the scale with a lens that is not RF-coupled - it shows the fov at 0.7m, which is the worst possible option. So it's really for the 25 that I regret not keeping an L - the L/25 is another superb combination.
like2fiddle
Curious
Congratulations on the new L. I bought one from someone earlier this summer that was sold to me as "like new". Well, when it arrived I think it was actually new - the strap had never been attached, the batteries were still in the original package, and the camera didn't look as if any fingers had ever touched it! I've used it with my CV 25/4 - great combination.
I recently acquired an M6 here on RFF so the Bessa L has to go, along with a few other nice pieces of gear, but I have regrets about having to sell it. Have fun with yours.
I've used it with my CV 25/4 - great combination. I recently acquired an M6 here on RFF so the Bessa L has to go, along with a few other nice pieces of gear, but I have regrets about having to sell it. Have fun with yours.
Windwalker57
Established
A couple of shots of my, now, dirty Bessa L and lens. Shot with Nikon D70 and AF Nikkor 60mm macro.
Windwalker57
Established
Help, how to I post images?
Windwalker57
Established
gb hill
Veteran
oooh thats a sweet looking bessa L. Deffiently a keeper! btw how did you post the pic. I'm still in the figuring out stage of these computers.
cmedin
Well-known
Wow, the black Bessa looks great. Let me know if you're interested in a chrome one with a 25/4, considering selling mine since I can't really get into the 25mm (I seem to be a 50mm and up guy) which was the only real reason I got the body to begin with. They ARE neat cameras though!
sienarot
Well-known
Congrats! I had purchased an L with a 15mm about a month or two back, but sold the L because I really didn't need it (I only wanted the 15mm anyways). I ran a roll through the L before selling it and it's a great little camera. I especially like the external meter indicator! It certainly makes inconspicuous street shooting a lot easier.
Share some of your shots when you have them!
Share some of your shots when you have them!
dazedgonebye
Veteran
She looks purty in black.
Windwalker57
Established
This how I did it, but there has to be a better way. First I clicked the reply or quote button, clicked the attachment paperclip, select pic to upload, click upload, click on the filename under current attachments, copy the URL, click Insert Image button,and paste the URL here.gb hill said:oooh thats a sweet looking bessa L. Deffiently a keeper! btw how did you post the pic. I'm still in the figuring out stage of these computers.
Is there an easier way?
Attachments
mr_phillip
Well-known
I've bought and sold dozens of cameras over the years, but the only one I regret parting with was my black Bessa L. They're not much more than toy cameras really, but God knows they're fun. Enjoy yours, and don't part with it.
aad
Not so new now.
If you upload a pic to photobucket, you'll see an IMG tag when you're done. Copy and paste that into your thread.
oscroft
Veteran
When you're posting a message, look below the message window and you'll see a box called "Attach Files" (within the big "Additional Options" box). If you use that, you can add images as thumbnails that people can click on if they want to see the original. I do think that way is far more considerate than embedding large images in posts - I'm in a part of the world where I can only get very low bandwidth, and it's quite frustrating having to wait ages for a thread to load because people have embedded large images (and quite annoying when other people quote the actual images when replying, meaning I have to wait for them to load twice!)
Windwalker57
Established
To aad and oscroft: Thanks for your suggestions on getting images uploaded and linked to the messages. I will be pursuing an account with one of the photo sharing sites so that I can link images easier. Also, thanks for reminding me that not everyone has the luxury of hi speed internet service that I have taken for granted. When I get my film developed, I will post some images (thumbnails) for everyone to look at.
Windwalker57
Established
Yesterday I got an opportunity to shot my second roll with this camera, and I am pleased with the way it handles. I did notice the shutter noise a few times, but it is not as obnoxious as a SLR. I tried a couple of 'street' shots, the subjects didn't react to the shutter sound. Only one person noticed the camera, he told his family "don't get in the way of the pro photographer". Black camera = Pro?
This lens requires me to on top or into the subject because of the extreme angle of view. This has forced me to move around more than I used to when I shot with zoom lenses. Moving around to get my subjects framed actually provided me with more inspiration and subject matter than I would normally have seen. This lens has 'changed my vision', or a least provided more opportunity. After shooting two rolls with this lens exclusively, I am able to pre-visualize shots and get set up easily. Much easier lens to learn than broad range zooms.
Carrying the camera slung across my chest, it is so small and light that it felt natural to walk around with. It really is noticeably smaller than SLR's I've used, so no back ache or chaffed neck. Most pleasant change for me!
Soon, I have to try some interior shots and some low light work. And post some sample pics.
This lens requires me to on top or into the subject because of the extreme angle of view. This has forced me to move around more than I used to when I shot with zoom lenses. Moving around to get my subjects framed actually provided me with more inspiration and subject matter than I would normally have seen. This lens has 'changed my vision', or a least provided more opportunity. After shooting two rolls with this lens exclusively, I am able to pre-visualize shots and get set up easily. Much easier lens to learn than broad range zooms.
Carrying the camera slung across my chest, it is so small and light that it felt natural to walk around with. It really is noticeably smaller than SLR's I've used, so no back ache or chaffed neck. Most pleasant change for me!
Soon, I have to try some interior shots and some low light work. And post some sample pics.