Bessa L or Bessa T

[Marsopa]

Hi:

I'm going to get the CV 15mm f4.5 and, probably a second body. I'm between Bessa L (cheaper) or Bessa T (I'll need adapter...) Any advice?

 

[Marsopa]

The only advantage of Bessa T (IMHO) is that if my Bessa R die I could use it with viewfinders (after all, if I have to buy viewfinders and adapters that won't be so cheap as a new R...)

 

[Nokton48]

For the 15, get the L. I bought two of them, they are cheap enough.


For exotic, difficult to focus lenses (like my Canon 1.2) I would recommend the T. And I really like using the Trigger Winder on it., which won't work with the L.

Both are great values and well worth what they cost.

 

[colyn]

Once you play with the lens you'll want another.....then another......then another....then another................😱

I would go with the Bessa T especially if you have or plan to get one of the M-mount Bessa's..

 

[fuwen]

I thought T would be a logical choice if budget is not a constraint. At least u can do focusing when u want to (especially for close distance) and u have the choice of using M mount lenses later on.

 

[raid]

I have both of these cameras and I use both.
The Bessa L is only useful with lenses that don't require focusing.
I use the T far more often than the L.
I would get the T and not the L.
It allows you to use it with other lenses when needed.

 

[Peter55]

L uses distance focusing

L uses distance focusing

The L uses distance scale focusing and I'm considering it because of this. I think it may be fun.

 

[raid]

Peter,
You can also use distance scale focusing with the T.

Raid

 

[pvdhaar]

The main reason to go with the T, would be that the rangefinder and M mount would give you greater flexibility in the kind of lenses that you could use beyond that 15mm. Also, the sheer magnification of the RF (which is 1.5x) makes it a perfect camera for long lenses because of the focussing accuracy.

That said, apart from the price difference, there's another reason to go with the L, and that's the built in self timer. Especially with a super wide like the 15mm, I could think of a load of fun things that involve the self timer.

 

[raid]

possible typo?

possible typo?

The main reason to go with the T, would be that the rangefinder and M mount would give you greater flexibility in the kind of lenses that you could use beyond that 15mm. Also, the sheer magnification of the RF (which is 1.5x) makes it a perfect camera for long lenses because of the focussing accuracy.

That said, apart from the price difference, there's another reason to go with the L, and that's the built in self timer. Especially with a super wide like the 15mm, I could think of a load of fun things that involve the self timer.

Peter,

Did you mean to say " .. there's another reason to go with the T" ?

Raid

 

[Marsopa]

I'm still wandering:

Bessa T it's 110$ more than L takan into account the M-LTM adapter. The main/only advantage is that if my R broke I could use it as main body (with additional viewfinders) but... for a little more I could buy a second R ...

 

[Lou Iaquinto]

I am with Raid and Nokton48 on this one. They are both fun cameras to use. I am trying to resist springing for a black L and a silver T. They have both become great value while the Oz $ is @ .85 USD.

Lou

 

[mr_phillip]

I've owned both cameras and, as has been said, the T is more practical as you can at least use standard and long lenses should you need to.

However, I still think the L was more fun somehow. It's so simplistic it's almost like a toy camera. There's something very freeing about its lack of features, it encouraged me to think less about photography and more about making images.

Either way, you'll be getting a lot of bang for your buck.

 

[Anupam]

The T has no self timer, unfortunately.

-Anupam

 

[Marsopa]

Done, at last my decission is Bessa L and lens. The main reason: a bessa T plus adapter has a price very near to a Bessa R... and it doesn't need viewfinders...