Bessa R or R2?

[traveler_101]

Hi everyone

I am aiming at acquiring my first combined viewfinder-rangerfinder camera and am leaning toward a Bessa R, though I have also thought about a R2. Considering that all my lenses are LTM and I have no plans at this time to delve into M mount, having the R2 for its mount is not a great advantage, at least not at this time. I intend to use the camera with the 35/1.7 and 35/2.5 lenses.

Has anyone had both of these cameras? The R seems to be a bit smaller (?) and is certainly cheaper. While the R2 is much better built (?) and if I should ever decide to buy M mount lenses it could handle them.

Any perspective on this?

 

[Solinar]

I'm on my 10th year with my Bessa R. It has served me well. It came to me like new in the O.E.M box.

Today, it shows signs of use, mainly brassing of the top, plastic housing - where my index finger has worn through the black paint around the shutter release.

I bought it as a temporary back up for a Leica that was in the repair shop at the time. It's still in use with maybe a couple dozen rolls of film put through it by me.

 

[mretina]

I have both. Yes the R feels and is lighter (and cheaper). I have a sweet spot for my R. it is arguably the most user friendly native ltm mount camera out there because of the handy meter, clear viewfinder, choice of frames and compactness. On the contrary, there are many better shooters than the R2 in the M mount space.
The R is less sturdy. However it is reliiable as far as winding, no jamming etc. (As opposed to the L). Once however, I had to have the rangefinder realigned, but I am not very gentie with it. I carry it often in my coat pocket, etc.
If you do not have plans to buy m-mount lenses I would not hesitate.

 

[Robert Lai]

For LTM lenses, the R is a nice little camera. It is my mainstay camera at the moment as it is so light (a Leica IIIF feels heavy in comparison). The viewfinder is excellent, and the metering is spot on. Consider it to be a much less expensive LTM version of the M6.

 

[Tijmendal]

I've got a Bessa R2 that I'm not very fond of, probably because I've been spoiled by the several Leica's I've owned.

 

[gb hill]

I have an R & I like it. I have handled an R2 & the R2 is a stronger build camera. I'm like you, I have several ltm lenses & that's my main reason for buying an R. The View finder on the R is killer. I compared mine to the finders on several Leica's, M7, M3, M9 & for me my Bessa R was brighter & suited me more. Plus I like the lightweight of the Bessa as I walk around. Only caution I advise is as you wind on to the next frame, don't jerk it real fast, use a smooth stroke. I do this with all my SLR's too. I think that is why so many have problems with jamming. The 1st time you load the Bessa & you reach the end of the roll as you wind on the advance arm will freeze midway at end of roll. Don't panic like I did. Just press the release button on bottom to rewind the film & the advance arm will free itself & you'll be ready to load the next roll. Yea I say get one. It's a good companion & has a great meter also.

 

[traveler_101]

I bought a R silver for $190, plus shipping from Japan. My brother in law checked it out and found it in excellent condition. Will get my hands on it soon when I travel back to the USA. Thanks to those who posted.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

My mistake

My mistake

I sold my Bessa R when I bought an R2.
But I couldn't warm up to the "better" body.
I sold the hardly used R2 and got another R.

Chris

 

[traveler_101]

I bought a R silver for $190, plus shipping from Japan. My brother in law checked it out and found it in excellent condition. Will get my hands on it soon when I travel back to the USA. Thanks to those who posted.

Well I got my hands on it and it feels pretty good in them. Camera is in very good condition. It is solid enough, but not heavy; the film advance is smoother than on my Bessa-T. Love the meter and do not find it a distraction. I have put three rolls through it thus far.

The only things I don't like about it are (1) the plasticky rubber coating they used on the door - why the heck didn't they use the same material as on the front of the camera and (2) the rewind lever feels flimsy (I worry that I might break it).

I must say that coming from the IIIf, this camera requires an adjustment. The viewfinder is HUGE - and bright . . . but that comes as a kind of mixed blessing. I can't just glance and get my frame. My eye, separated by spectacles from the eyepiece, wanders around in there like a goldfish in its bowl - making it difficult @ 35mm to see or even "feel" where the frame lines are. The viewfinder is partly blocked by the 35/1.7 Ultron lens I bought to use with it, but even the tiny colour skopar can be seen at the very edge of the finder.

 

[teleparallel]

Well

Why not the r2 with an ltm o m adapter all the time on it? Its basically an r1 with the possibility to use m mount lenses.

 

[Scrambler]

Well I got my hands on it and it feels pretty good in them. Camera is in very good condition. It is solid enough, but not heavy; the film advance is smoother than on my Bessa-T. Love the meter and do not find it a distraction. I have put three rolls through it thus far. The only things I don't like about it are (1) the plasticky rubber coating they used on the door - why the heck didn't they use the same material as on the front of the camera and (2) the rewind lever feels flimsy (I worry that I might break it). I must say that coming from the IIIf, this camera requires an adjustment. The viewfinder is HUGE - and bright . . . but that comes as a kind of mixed blessing. I can't just glance and get my frame. My eye, separated by spectacles from the eyepiece, wanders around in there like a goldfish in its bowl - making it difficult @ 35mm to see or even "feel" where the frame lines are. The viewfinder is partly blocked by the 35/1.7 Ultron lens I bought to use with it, but even the tiny colour skopar can be seen at the very edge of the finder.

If you try hard enough you can see nearly any lens on the edge of the Bessa R finder.

I have to say that after a number of years I gifted my Bessa R and use an M mount camera even though I have exclusively screw mount lenses. I like the option of being able to change lens quickly.

 

[Pioneer]

i have a love/hate relationship with my Bessa R. When i compare it to my actual Leica LTM cameras i find myself hating the ugly, pedestrian-looking, Bessa R.

When I am in the field shooting film with my Leica LTM cameras I usually wish I had my lovely Bessa R instead.

When I look at my prints I can't tell which were taken with the Leica and which were taken with the Bessa R.

I prefer my Zeiss Ikon to the Bessa R2.

 

[traveler_101]

Well

Why not the r2 with an ltm o m adapter all the time on it? Its basically an r1 with the possibility to use m mount lenses.

I don't have any M lenses and I don't foresee buying any, at least not in the short to middle term.

If you try hard enough you can see nearly any lens on the edge of the Bessa R finder.

I have to say that after a number of years I gifted my Bessa R and use an M mount camera even though I have exclusively screw mount lenses. I like the option of being able to change lens quickly.

I understand completely. I tend to work with a single lens at a time, or with two cameras. I have a Bessa-T I use with wide angle lenses exclusively - 15 or 25mm. It complements the IIIf and now the Bessa R at 35 or 50 mm.

i have a love/hate relationship with my Bessa R. When i compare it to my actual Leica LTM cameras i find myself hating the ugly, pedestrian-looking, Bessa R.

When I am in the field shooting film with my Leica LTM cameras I usually wish I had my lovely Bessa R instead.

When I look at my prints I can't tell which were taken with the Leica and which were taken with the Bessa R.

I prefer my Zeiss Ikon to the Bessa R2.

Bessa R seems pretty useful, how useful I am not yet sure. One thing that immediately comes to mine is using it in rough terrain or near water with the colour skopar 35. Tough kit.