newspaperguy
Well-known
That's all I see on mine.
BTW - Never heard of light-leak problems with the Bessas.
Been using mine, both an L and an R, for more than 10 years now.
BTW - Never heard of light-leak problems with the Bessas.
Been using mine, both an L and an R, for more than 10 years now.
BillBingham2
Registered User
G,
I don't remember but I will look around on the question of light seals. I remember them around the film window, no where else. But today is a day where my head is way too full.
Congrats on the great purchase. The L and a wide lens just delivered such a pure feeling of photography for me. Clean, straight forward, fun.
Don't rush moving up to a Leica M or even a Bessa R, both are tons of fun, but in a different way.
More if I find anything.
B2->
Update, I found these sites, first a site with an instruction manual. Next housed pictures of the back of different Bessas. The last one seems the sharpest. I'd compare you camera with what you see there.
http://www.cameramanuals.org/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_bessa-r.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZmFzjVYexQ
http://usedphotopro.com/voigtlander-bessa-l-rangefinder-ltm-film-camera-body-31145
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39249&page=10
About two thirds down the page Tom A has a shot of a Bessa open from behind.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MINT-Voigtla...-Heliar-15mm-f-4-5-black-010288-/131315196516
Gotta go through the shots of the camera but they initially appear the sharpest of the bunch.
Hope this helps.
B2 (;->
I don't remember but I will look around on the question of light seals. I remember them around the film window, no where else. But today is a day where my head is way too full.
Congrats on the great purchase. The L and a wide lens just delivered such a pure feeling of photography for me. Clean, straight forward, fun.
Don't rush moving up to a Leica M or even a Bessa R, both are tons of fun, but in a different way.
More if I find anything.
B2
->Update, I found these sites, first a site with an instruction manual. Next housed pictures of the back of different Bessas. The last one seems the sharpest. I'd compare you camera with what you see there.
http://www.cameramanuals.org/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_bessa-r.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZmFzjVYexQ
http://usedphotopro.com/voigtlander-bessa-l-rangefinder-ltm-film-camera-body-31145
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39249&page=10
About two thirds down the page Tom A has a shot of a Bessa open from behind.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MINT-Voigtla...-Heliar-15mm-f-4-5-black-010288-/131315196516
Gotta go through the shots of the camera but they initially appear the sharpest of the bunch.
Hope this helps.
B2 (;->
gb hill
Veteran
I wouldn't concern myself with light seals. Just load it up & shoot. Look forward to seeing some photos.
kxl
Social Documentary
Mine only has a light seal at the top of the back door and around the window in the back door. Is that it or are there any light seals missing?
That's it. As long as they're not starting to shred, you're good.
giganova
Well-known
OK, good to know about the seals, thanks!
kxl
Social Documentary
Have never seen that...but those external VF's are not exactly precision instruments anyway, especially for what is essentially and wide angle point & shoot. So, probably nothing to worry about... unless it bugs you.
FrankS
Registered User
Precise framing is not a RF camera's strength, let alone with an external viewfinder.
If you need precise framing, use an SLR with 100% viewfinder coverage.
Even with Hasselblad, if you need precise framing, you'd use a CM style body with 40mm lens, and not an SWC.
If you need precise framing, use an SLR with 100% viewfinder coverage.
Even with Hasselblad, if you need precise framing, you'd use a CM style body with 40mm lens, and not an SWC.
WJJ3
Well-known
funny that the OP's photo of the finder frame lines is not there now...
giganova
Well-known
Thanks for noting. I took the photo of the viewfinder down because I thought it was a lemon and I didn't want to tarnish the manufacturer's reputation with a "sample of one". However, there's a new development in the story that I wanted to share:
When I got the Voigtlander 21mm viewfinder, I noticed that the frame lines were not level. Please see the picture below so you can judge for yourself. I contacted the seller who agreed that the viewfinder was defective and replaced it with a brand new one. To my big surprise, the new viewfinder's framlines are exactly as tilted as the other one. I know that these plastic viewfinder are not exactly precision instruments, but being off by so many degrees is really ridiculous!
giganova
Well-known
On a more positive side, the 21/4 Skopar lens is amazingly sharp, right into the corners at full aperture, has great contrast, very little vignetting and a surprisingly small amount of distortion. What a great little lens!
FrankS
Registered User
RF/viewfinder framing is approximate.
giganova
Well-known
Apparently, very apprimate!
giganova
Well-known
Went on a walk through the city with my wife today, the Bessa dangling from my neck. I guy walks past and says "Nice Leica!" A few minutes later, we pass by another guy who says "Cool looking Leica!" My wife looks at me, visibly upset, and says "I thought you said you didn't buy a Leica to safe money!!" :bang:
