Bessa R Review

Bessa R Review

  • *

    Votes: 5 1.5%

  • **

    Votes: 6 1.8%

  • ***

    Votes: 60 17.8%

  • ****

    Votes: 155 45.9%

  • *****

    Votes: 112 33.1%
  • Total voters
    338
Just a comment, I haven't had it long enough (I feel) for a full review:
Those darn strap lugs really are a pain. You don't realize how much so until you actually try carrying it around on your chest or around your shoulder!
 
Matt, you must get the side grip at once. it has its own strap lug and will straighten out the way the camera hangs immediately. (See my avatar).

Hope you like your purchase otherwise. Oh, almost forgot. While waiting for the side grip, I took off the neck strap and fitted instead a Gordy's wrist strap. Worked fine for the interim.

The only problem with the wrist strap is that you can't let go of the camera, as you can with a camera on a neck strap. It's always fastened to your wrist!

Ted
 
I just hold my camera and wrap the neck strap around my wrist.
Where can I get a hold of the side grip?

EDIT: Oh, and I do love my bessa other than that.
 
red light not working

red light not working

Hi—

I have a Voightlander Bessar-R that I purchased new a little over a year ago. I’ve been very happy w/ it, but the other day I noticed that the red light inside the camera that displays when aperture and shutter speed line up doesn’t work. I tried replacing the batteries w/ new ones and that has not fixed the problem. I’m not a very mechanical person, and I was wondering if there’s something else I can try before taking my camera to a repair shop that doesn’t require me dismantling the camera. Perhaps there’s something simple that I’m not thinking of?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
jon
 
i have the R2A, the R4M and the T amongst an assortment of CV lenses and am never without one in the car. easy to use, rugged and the glass is fantastic. smooth and quiet, people don't think it is a real camera so great for street work. i've had an M3 before and can't see the difference in the production of what i do, mainly art photography and raw work.
 
Yojuan: E-mail Stephen Gandy and describe the problem. He may be able to point you to an easy fix.

Or he may say, "Well, that's the death knoll for that camera. Would you like to buy an R4M?"

Ted ;--)
 
Welcome back, Rick. Rick is the guy that loaned me my first RF camera years ago (a Kiev 4AM) and got me into this whole RF mess!
 
I went down to Collectible Camera today. They had a Bessa R silver that seemed like new in the box with the warranty card even. It did not seem plasticky at all the the viewfinder was excellent. At $250 I took it home. With that finder it may compete with my IIIf for use, especially if speed is an issue. I was saving for an M body--but not any more!
 
Congratulations. And yes, the viewfinder is simply amazing. The IIIf is a jewel of a camera (I had one but couldn't see through well enough - but since then I've had cataract surgery and maybe I should look through one again) but the Bessa R is so much more user-friendly: multiple framelines, window in the door so you can see what sort of film is inside, great meter, not a bottom loader, etc.

Plus, in LTM, you've got access to a huge range of top-notch older lenses.
 
Just bought an L for $95 shipped. When it arrives I'll put the 21/4 on it (along with the viewfinder) and just leave it on. That'll free up my R for other lenses.

Still saving for an R4A.
 
And I just bought my first R (thanks, bobkonos!)! I shot w/ this particular camera last month, and saw what all the fuss w/ the bright viewfinder was about. I got it w/ my "new" Ultron 35 in mind (thanks, photobizz), but last night put a Canon 50/1.8 on it, and I have to say that looks like a terrific kit.

My Canon P and 7 are already sulking...
 
I bought my first R about a month ago complete with a 3.5/2.4 Color Skopar, just prior to going on a business trip to the wilds of Borneo (don't ask!). The camera was fantastic to lug around, and easy to shoot in less than ideal conditions such as photographing process plant in the wet. I am looking for another, particularly as my IIa's appear to be slow movers up Henry's list. It so nice not to have to worry about another TOC viewfinder for the 35.
 
Satisfied customer

Satisfied customer

I had a Bessa R for a few months and really regret selling it, unfortunately the ups & downs of my finances mean that cameras come & go....
Very nice viewfinder, not too big, just sufficient build quality, not too loud, excellent meter good enough for slides.
Just for fun here are some sample shots taken with the CV 75mm and 35mm f2.5 "Classic".

Cheers, Robin
 

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Haven't used mine for a couple of months, or thereabouts. Been busy working, and, yeah, what's a guy my age doing working anyway.

So I encountered this thread today and immediately exhumed my Bessa R from my soft briefcase and shot off a few frames. Still a delight, especially the top-notch rangefinder.

I've now got also a Bessa L that I use exclusively with my 21/4, and the 35/2.5 spends most of its time on the R, though sometimes I change it out for the Canon 50/1.8. In all, the two bodies and three lenses make a nice kit.
 
The Bessas are an excellent route into rangefinder photography, especially for those who don't have a boatload of cash to spend.

I no longer have my Bessa-R, although I still have a Rollei 35 RF, a near-clone of the Bessa-R2.

By the way, the new URL is http://elekm.net/bessa-r/.
 
I love my Bessa R. Perhaps it's because I've only had a couple other cameras, but it's great. I like the look, the feel, and the usability.

I like the simple built in TTL. That way I can get a read off of something, make a quick adjustment. My other cameras with Av, or Tv, if you want to take a reading off something other than what the lens is pointed at, it gets difficult.
 
I used my Bessa R while traveling in Italy. I used it with a Canon 35f1.8 and was very pleased with the results. If I don't use it for a while the light meter doesn't work until I clean the battery connections. If I just look for the meter reading then it doesn't come up for a while. I don't know if this is battery drain or what the problem. Continous use in Italy the problem did not come up, only from nouse at times.
Any ideas from anyone?
Joe
 
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