Bessa R arrived.

[stevew]

Last week I received my R with 35/2.5 Skopar from Gandy. I really do like the camera.

Last year I bought a Leica MP and 50mm. The camera was great, but I wanted a camera I could carry with me everywhere, and the thought of the camera getting beat-up or stolen out of my car was a little obsene, so I sold it.

The Bessa R handles well, viewfinder is bright, metering is accurate. The shutter is a little loud, people can hear it when your'e trying to be discrete and I would prefer it quiter, but the camera is going to do just fine. The 35/2.5 Skopar is a fine little lens: I shot some pics with Panf+, HC-110 1:100.

Gallery shots:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=5660

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=5661

I probably will buy a Leica later for quiet shots, but the Bessa R will go with me everywhere.

 

[ZeissFan]

Steve -- one tip: Buy the everready case. Only costs about $30 or so. Then just use the bottom half. It does a nice job of muffling the shutter. It doesn't eliminate it, but the shutter doesn't seem quite as loud in the case.

 

[stevew]

Shutter noise.

Shutter noise.

Thanks for the tip. Gandy has a package price on the case and grip.

The only thing that really bothers me on the R is the way it tips back into my stomach. I thought of getting the side grip to move the strap attachment back for better balance, but it looks like you lose the tripod socket in doing so. I might see if I can machine the sidegrip base to Arca-Swiss quick release dimensions so it will slip into a ballhead.

 

[pvdhaar]

The only thing that really bothers me on the R is the way it tips back into my stomach..

They're placed to balance with more hefty lenses, like a 50/1.5 and a 35/1.7. It's no different from my Bessa-T, and indeed somewhat distracting at first..

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I use the side grip (triger winder sort) on an R3A partly for a more comforatble 'hang'.

There is another tripod socket on the bottom of the grip. Two actually!

 

[lido]

Hello stevew and welcome to the R club. Mine goes with me everywhere I go. CV 35/2.5 is a fine lens, love the results I get with mine, but it is a bit small and makes it hard for me to handle. I also have CV 50/1.5 which balances the camera quite nicely, so no tipping back. And because it is larger, I find it faster to work with, as aperture and focus rings are easier to handle.

 

[wrenhunter]

It is a great combo. Try one of Gordy's wrist straps (sponsor link on left), you may prefer it to the neck strap.