Bessa R is kaput... what next?

[thegman]

If you're happy with medium format results, but not 35mm, then I think you have your answer.

35mm is capable of a lot of a technical quality, but it takes the sort of effort and patience that I don't possess. So the smallest format I use now is 6x6, where you can get high quality relatively simply.

A Zeiss Super Ikonta gives 6x6 images in a camera smaller than your Bessa R.

 

[Johann Espiritu]

Treat yourself to a new Bessa or maybe even a Leica or Zeiss Ikon. If you love the 35mm RF experience, there is few others in photographing that will satisfy you.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Laviolette]

I would move to medium format. If you like your SQ-A but want something lighter and smaller, maybe try a TLR? I love my Rolleicord V and it's Xenar lens. I find it to be a nice complement to my Hasselblad.

 

[john_s]

As much as I like MF (Mamiya 6 and SL66) I find that 35mm can do better in low light with a wide aperture lens compared to MF which has smaller apertures and less depth of field. If it's too grainy, as has been suggested, one of the finer 400 speed films exposed without attempting to push and developed just enough is hard to beat. Tmax 400 or Delta 400 are superb.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

No medium format camera comes close to your Bessa R in handling.

Medium format film scanners are very expensive.

There are finer grain films than Tri-X, and finer grain developers than HC110.

Chris

 

[eric rose]

I've got a buddy who needs a parts Bessa. If you want to sell yours PM me.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

35mm is the best... Stay and you'll be rewarded... I use digital, MF and LF too, but small film cameras are pure pleasure... Get another Bessa: I use 4 Bessas and never had any problem... Good luck, and enjoy!
Cheers,
Juan

 

[struene]

Hallo,

Bessas are great. Even with a ZI an a M6 my R2 gets a lot of use. If you enjoy rangefindershooting get another bessa, preferably a metal one, so R2 or newer. Though there are MF-Rangefinders it´s not the same experience, as they are way slower in handling. Besides that the roll is over in a couple of shots...

Maybe your dissapointment comes from your classic lenses? You could sell them and try a modern lens: CV 35 2.5, ZM 35 2.8, CV 50 1.5 or ZM 50 2.0 all of them beeing (for M-Lenses quite) affordable and optically on a very high level.

schöne Grüße,

Johann

 

[mfogiel]

A Bronica rf with the 65mm will give you a close to 35mm portability and a wonderful negative to work with. For pocketable 35mm you can always pick up one of the fixed lens rangefinders on the cheap.

20132201 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141677

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141677

Medium format will trump 35mm in most situations..
When i started photography seriously in early 1960's,
a well known pro advised me that the 35mm SLR, Tri-X
was not the best way!
In year or two, I was using Medium format.
The format is almost 4x larger than a 35mm frame.
Grain is dependent on many factors..
Exposure, film, developer,agitation and lenses.
Yes lenses.
I learn't certain lenses had more grain in their images!
It was not until I read Erwin Puts that I was proved right..
The lenses with better color correction and focus(APO) will show less grain.
Truth tell, i prefer 35mm for all my shooting, when i shoot film.
I have learn't to love grain.

 

[traveler_101]

A Bronica rf with the 65mm will give you a close to 35mm portability and a wonderful negative to work with. For pocketable 35mm you can always pick up one of the fixed lens rangefinders on the cheap.

I stayed away from Bessa R in large part because of reputedly poor build quality. Bought a Bessa T instead and it has held up well, though i use it as a backup camera, largely. You could go in one of three directions--toward a less expensive camera as suggested above, back to a simpler Barnack style camera such as my IIIf, or to a M2 or M6.

 

[VTHokiEE]

I stayed away from Bessa R in large part because of reputedly poor build quality. Bought a Bessa T instead and it has held up well, though i use it as a backup camera, largely. You could go in one of three directions--toward a less expensive camera as suggested above, back to a simpler Barnack style camera such as my IIIf, or to a M2 or M6.

I'm going to end up with an R2 (which supposedly has a much better build than the R). As much as I'd love an M, (especially an M6), it isn't financially feasible for me at the moment. I finished selling off a few things so hopefully as soon as eBay releases their death grip on my money I can pick up the R2 and an adapter for my ltm lenses.

 

[GarageBoy]

No medium format camera comes close to your Bessa R in handling.

Medium format film scanners are very expensive.

There are finer grain films than Tri-X, and finer grain developers than HC110.

Chris

I don't know, a Fuji is pretty easy to handle
Cheap flatbeds work better for 120 than they do for 35mm