Red Robin
It Is What It Is
Next to my Canon P's the Bessa R is my most used camera. After getting used to the lite-ness of it this little gem quickly became a favorite. One of the reasons I initially was attracted to the camera was the good user reviews and it's ability to use my M-39 lenses. I've read of some that decry the build quality an issue that has not seemed to affect my example. I sometimes suspect my pictures might be better if the paint had been olive green rather than black, but then the same might be true of having a green P instead of only silver ones. But really , how do you like your R , the one you use on a regular basis?
raid
Dad Photographer
I love it too. It has a very bright finder and it is very light. It has an accurate RF and accurate meter. Its price was low, and it came to me in black.
For balance, I find the M mount cameras to allow more flexibiity than LTM cameras. I can use an M adapter with LTM lenses when using an M camera but the Bessa R cannot be used with M mount lenses. This is a drawback.
For balance, I find the M mount cameras to allow more flexibiity than LTM cameras. I can use an M adapter with LTM lenses when using an M camera but the Bessa R cannot be used with M mount lenses. This is a drawback.
paulfish4570
Veteran
ah, but then came the r2 series ...
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
I really like my R. In fact, I have bought an R several times: Twice I bought a new one, and a short while after I sold one it came up for sale and I bought it back.
I own and use both the R and an R2a and will not again give up either of them.
I did have a Canon P for a brief while. It was a camera I wanted to like and it was a very good example but with my eye sight and glasses, it just didn't suit me.
I do not feel limited by the inability of the R to use M-mount lenses; I like LTM lenses and have not yet felt the need to spend the money on M-mount lenses. So, for me, the R fits all my requirements. My R2a has the bonus of AE but other wise, I use it much as I do my R.
Rob
I own and use both the R and an R2a and will not again give up either of them.
I did have a Canon P for a brief while. It was a camera I wanted to like and it was a very good example but with my eye sight and glasses, it just didn't suit me.
I do not feel limited by the inability of the R to use M-mount lenses; I like LTM lenses and have not yet felt the need to spend the money on M-mount lenses. So, for me, the R fits all my requirements. My R2a has the bonus of AE but other wise, I use it much as I do my R.
Rob
Jeremy Johns
Member
I've just bought myself an R2. It was a close run thing between the R and an R2. in the end he ensured me that the olive paint would indeed make my pictures better.
Halfway through my first film in 5 years and it's great to get out of the "digital" studio.
Halfway through my first film in 5 years and it's great to get out of the "digital" studio.
initialssb
Member
I have 2 Rs myself, using several 35 and 50mm Leica lenses. I also have several new Voigtlander lenses, so I myself feel spoiledfor choice and see no need to "upgrade" to a
R2 or higher.
Although, I hae to admit I bought a R2S NHS version with the 50mm f3.5 last year on eBay from a seller in Greece. Cost me just e500. I couldn't resist it.
R2 or higher.
Although, I hae to admit I bought a R2S NHS version with the 50mm f3.5 last year on eBay from a seller in Greece. Cost me just e500. I couldn't resist it.
initialssb
Member
A week later the same seller put the Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 Nikon S mount on eBay.
I bought that too. e200. Couldn't resist that, either.
I bought that too. e200. Couldn't resist that, either.
Seele
Anachronistic modernist
My three CV cameras are the R, R2, and Bessaflex, all in black finish. Without considering the Bessaflex, I actually like the R a little better than the R2.
Granted, if you need the M-mount, then the R is not in the running at all. But I use screw-mount lenses, and a screw mount adapter pretty much permanently living on the R2, so that's not a factor I consider as important.
Many people say the R is no good because it has plastic cladding and such so it's not good compared to the Leica, but they miss the point altogether: it's like saying an Opel is no good as a car because it's not built like a Rolls-Royce.
But I favour the R over the R2 in practice: I don't care much about the supposedly studier cladding, plastics is good enough for me as the innards are pretty much the same as the well-established Cosina chassis anyway. The point is that I feel the R is inherently more "pure" as a working camera, without the "user-friendly" features incorporated into the R2.
Case in point: the meter of the R works regardless of frame counter and shutter readiness, and I do not need the meter to not work to remind me that I have to wind the film. Speaking as a photographer for more than three decades, one can say I am set in my own ways, using my instinct to take pictures rather than frame-by-frame deliberation, and that is fair enough too. But what I find bothersome - to various degrees - is when the camera thinks it is smarter than me. This also explains why I favour the Nikon FM to the FM2.
Granted, if you need the M-mount, then the R is not in the running at all. But I use screw-mount lenses, and a screw mount adapter pretty much permanently living on the R2, so that's not a factor I consider as important.
Many people say the R is no good because it has plastic cladding and such so it's not good compared to the Leica, but they miss the point altogether: it's like saying an Opel is no good as a car because it's not built like a Rolls-Royce.
But I favour the R over the R2 in practice: I don't care much about the supposedly studier cladding, plastics is good enough for me as the innards are pretty much the same as the well-established Cosina chassis anyway. The point is that I feel the R is inherently more "pure" as a working camera, without the "user-friendly" features incorporated into the R2.
Case in point: the meter of the R works regardless of frame counter and shutter readiness, and I do not need the meter to not work to remind me that I have to wind the film. Speaking as a photographer for more than three decades, one can say I am set in my own ways, using my instinct to take pictures rather than frame-by-frame deliberation, and that is fair enough too. But what I find bothersome - to various degrees - is when the camera thinks it is smarter than me. This also explains why I favour the Nikon FM to the FM2.
newspaperguy
Well-known
My Bessa R has been paired with my Bessa L for years.
Usually a 50 or a 35 on the R - my 25 lives on the L.
I too, bought both, sold them - and then bought replacements.
This time they're keepers. So much so that I'm afraid my Canons
and my CL will soon enter the "fersale" column, along with a large
assortment of slr gear.
Usually a 50 or a 35 on the R - my 25 lives on the L.
I too, bought both, sold them - and then bought replacements.
This time they're keepers. So much so that I'm afraid my Canons
and my CL will soon enter the "fersale" column, along with a large
assortment of slr gear.
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charjohncarter
Veteran
I like and use mine. I also have a IIIf which I also use often. The R has a plus from me on viewfinder and meter accuracy. It shares a minus with the IIIf on the shutter speed knob. I like the hot shoe (plus a PC outlet) and with 1/125 synch I'm fairly happy. I read early on that the advance mechanism was a failure point so I advance slowly and as soon as I feel a slight tug on the end of the roll I stop and rewind.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
I too once owned a Canon P but sold it for related VF frameline issues.
I sold my Bessa R when I bought an R2, thinking it a "better" camera.
Well it wasn't, not for me anyway. I sold the R2 and bought another R.
I use it with the 35/2.5 Color Skopar lens exclusively. It's a fabulous lens.
I'm really happy with this combination and expect I will keep them forever.
Chris
I sold my Bessa R when I bought an R2, thinking it a "better" camera.
Well it wasn't, not for me anyway. I sold the R2 and bought another R.
I use it with the 35/2.5 Color Skopar lens exclusively. It's a fabulous lens.
I'm really happy with this combination and expect I will keep them forever.
Chris
newspaperguy
Well-known
Whoops - I forgot to mention this:
The addition of the CV grip lets the R hang perfectly, even with the light 35/2.5.
That had been my only serious gripe.
The addition of the CV grip lets the R hang perfectly, even with the light 35/2.5.
That had been my only serious gripe.
Bingley
Veteran
I think the R is a sweet camera. I sold mine to help fund an M2 purchase, but I miss it. Great vf and meter, and lightweight. Beautiful design, too. I've still got a Bessa T, which is a keeper, and a Canon P, but these days I shoot w/ Ms or Barnack Leicas more often. A Bessa R and a classic old Leica or Canon lens is one of those best of both worlds combinations.