Bessa R. To buy or not to buy... that is the question.

[Nick R.]

Ahem, Sorry to be the naysayer but . . .
I had a Bessa R and didn't like it. It didn't seem to have the build quality of the Canonet I also owned at the time. Although it and its VC 50/1.5mm lens produced quality photos, I just couldn't stand the build quality and shutter noise so I sold it. Were I in your position, I'd find a working Kiev with a guarantee and buy that instead.

Another data point for the 135mm: I have a hard time focussing my 135 on my .72 Leica but the 90 is no problem. My experience, YMMV.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Just got mine and I'm in love....
Regardless the Bessa is a great camera, and I find I can slip it with a j-8 into the pocket of my cargo pants.

Those must be some very large pockets supported by a good belt. 🙂

 

[Jocko]

Ahem, Sorry to be the naysayer but . . .
I had a Bessa R and didn't like it. It didn't seem to have the build quality of the Canonet I also owned at the time. Although it and its VC 50/1.5mm lens produced quality photos, I just couldn't stand the build quality and shutter noise so I sold it.

I can very much understand that. I find the Bessa R completely lacks the solidity and ergonomic grace of a Kiev, FED 1 or FED 2. This came as a real surprise after using much-maligned FSU gear. I will never get used to the flimsy back door or the icky rubber coating. But... It does have an excellent viewfinder, parallax correction and TTL metering. It is not a camera I love, but it is a camera I use: a tool, not a pleasure, and recommended as such. Buying second-hand is a good idea.

Cheers, Ian

 

[bmattock]

I find the Bessa R completely lacks the solidity and ergonomic grace of a Kiev, FED 1 or FED 2.

Two words I never thought I'd see used to describe a Kiev: "ergonomic grace." On what planet?

And believe me, I *like* my Kiev. But ergonomic? Graceful? Focusing it is like learning to do the Vulcan "Live Long and Prosper" sign while wearing mittens, and it is about as graceful as a sack full of hammers falling down a flight of stairs.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Jocko]

Two words I never thought I'd see used to describe a Kiev: "ergonomic grace." On what planet?

And believe me, I *like* my Kiev. But ergonomic? Graceful? Focusing it is like learning to do the Vulcan "Live Long and Prosper" sign while wearing mittens, and it is about as graceful as a sack full of hammers falling down a flight of stairs.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

Planet Jocko, Bill! From the moment I first picked up a Kiev, I've always thought it was ergonomically superb - from wheel focussing to the "Contax hold", it simply suits me fine, but I do have big hands 🙂

Cheers, Ian!

 

[bmattock]

Planet Jocko, Bill! From the moment I first picked up a Kiev, I've always thought it was ergonomically superb - from wheel focussing to the "Contax hold", it simply suits me fine, but I do have big hands 🙂

Cheers, Ian!

It's like Baron Von Raschke's "Sleeper Hold" from the ancient days of All Star Wrestling. Next, you'll be telling me you like the smell of the gear lube the Soviets used!

And you know what they say about 'big hands'?

...Big gloves.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[ampguy]

Have never tried or seen one, but have researched them, and they seem like a great deal.

The only reason I didn't get one, is that the lower priced russian glass wide angles don't work on Bessas, if the 35 from Cameraquest works for you, it's a great package, but I'd want to try Jupter or Ultron or other inexpensive 21, 24, 28 for my needs.

Also, if you have the chance, consider paying a little extra and get it with a 1 yr warranty from Cameraquest, even they say the early ones may have been dropped and have RF issues, so don't buy an old one without some kind of warranty, and factor in the possible extra cost of finders for all the lenses you plan to use. The R2s and up have more metal if you plan to change lenses often or put the flash on and off a lot.

Let me know how it goes, I'm going to get one if they ever support affordable wide angle LTM lenses.

 

[Jocko]

It's like Baron Von Raschke's "Sleeper Hold" from the ancient days of All Star Wrestling. Next, you'll be telling me you like the smell of the gear lube the Soviets used!

And you know what they say about 'big hands'?

...Big gloves.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

What I really like are those very pungent FSU ever-ready cases, so obviously once home to the Commissar's kittens. And my gloves are exclusively from the "Behemoth" range at Goliath Hand-Wear Inc. (a branch of the Acme Corporation 😀 )

Cheers, Ian!

 

[AOI Photo]

Those must be some very large pockets supported by a good belt. 🙂

Yeah that's why I specified Cargo Pants. Wouldn't want to try it with dress slacks or anything. It does look terrible; big odd bulge in the trousers, but when chasing my three year old sometimes it is a must. 🙂

 

[Spyderman]

Please, if you could make some things clear to me, because after reading some reviews on Czech and Slovak websites I am quite confused.

1.) Does Bessa R have shutter cocking lock - to prevent cocking the shutter and advancing the film without taking picture?

2.) Does the metering work anytime you press the release halfway, or only with the shutter cocked?

3.) Do you have to keep the shutter release pressed to see metering indicators, or it stays on for some time?

 

[iñaki]

Please, if you could make some things clear to me, because after reading some reviews on Czech and Slovak websites I am quite confused.

1.) Does Bessa R have shutter cocking lock - to prevent cocking the shutter and advancing the film without taking picture?

Yes, you cannot advance the film without taking a picture.

2.) Does the metering work anytime you press the release halfway, or only with the shutter cocked?

Yes, it works anytime you press it.

3.) Do you have to keep the shutter release pressed to see metering indicators, or it stays on for some time?

It stays for 10 seconds (aprox)

 

[rbiemer]

Please, if you could make some things clear to me, because after reading some reviews on Czech and Slovak websites I am quite confused.

1.) Does Bessa R have shutter cocking lock - to prevent cocking the shutter and advancing the film without taking picture?

2.) Does the metering work anytime you press the release halfway, or only with the shutter cocked?

3.) Do you have to keep the shutter release pressed to see metering indicators, or it stays on for some time?

1.) There is no shutter lock to prevent un-intended release of the shutter--I have a few shots of the inside of my camera bag--but once you advance the lever, you can't advance the film again until after you've fired the shutter.
2.) Yes.
3.) It stays on for 10 or 12 seconds can't recall the exact time but somewhere in that range.
Rob

 

[Spyderman]

Thanks a lot, pals.

Tomorrow I'm selling one of my lenses I don't use, so I'll immediately put the money to the Bessa fund 🙂 And I think I'll be getting one as soon as I put the money together.

 

[Fred]

I would go for it, but then I did and love it🙂 And I use other RFs of a different price as well.

OK it does have a plastic door, like a lot of recent AF SLRs. Not a problem for me.

It has a louder shutter than a Lieca, but so does almost everything else with a focal plane shutter. Use it out doors and you'd be hard pushed to hear it.

Its light, but not too light.

Great viewfinder as well. Very good value and a warranty if you buy new. I use one as a day to day user when out on the bike. Fantastic camera.

 

[David Murphy]

I own a Bessa R and a lot of other pricey antique all-metal RF's (Canon, Leica, Kiev, etc.). The Bessa R has proven to be a reliable, solid, easy to handle camera, and most of all *modern* camera. It's my number one choice when I need a camera that I must depend on. I think it represents very good value too.

 

[danwilly]

Same here. I sold most of my other cameras, a Leica IIf was among them and now I carry two Bessa-R's. I think the whole RF problem has been exaggerated. I must confess I still have a Minolta Maxxum (yeah, yeah, but it is just for snapshots, not finish work). I like Bessa-R's dead-on light meter and bright viewfinder. Also, I have a 135 mm lens and have not experienced the focusing problems others have expressed. I have an add-on viewfinder for the 135 mm. It is worth mentioning the screwmount lenses are relatively inexpensive, even the Leica lenses, and are easy to find.

 

[nrb]

By all means, buy it.
I've got Zorkis and Feds, together with Leicas and Bessas. And surely I prefer my 2 Rs, side by side with my R2 and my L.
35 Skopar is good, and 25 Snapshot is great too.
Nuno

 

[oscroft]

Hi Spyderman,

Robert White in the UK is selling the Bessa-R with a 35 (but no case) for £250...
http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/voigtlander.htm#Lscrew
That price is without VAT and I don't know if you'd have to pay VAT for export to Slovakia, but it might be an alternative for you to explore.

(If I could spare the money I'd be getting one myself, but I've already bought 2 Bessa-L bodies plus 21 and 15 in recent months, so my camera budget is pretty much blown for now.)

Best,
Alan

 

[thafred]

Hi Spiderman,

What a pitty, I´ve been to Bratislava two weeks before with my Bessa R! It´s the best Camera for trips for me because it´s low weight and superb VF plus Meter.

If you are unsure about it and like to hold one, why don´t you travel to Vienna and walk right into the Leica store (Westbahnstr. the only one I´m aware of selling VC stuff ..much to expensive thou) ... I´ve fallen in love with the R there and if you are brave you can ask them to hold an M7...
the R isn´t as bad or flimsy as many People try to make you think...in fact mine survived a hard fall from 1m on concrete pretty good. (not to speak of all the weather conditions she has been in)

Go for it!
Greetings to beautiful Bratislava!
Fred

 

[pesphoto]

I dropped my Bessa this morning on the driveway juggling too many things trying to get into my car for work. Apart from a couple minor scuff marks all seems fine. Gonna take some pics and develop the film tonight to be sure it's still working ok. I'll let you know. It's a tough little camera!