Bessa R2 and Leica M users-- handheld slow shutter comparison?

[drec]

Hi all,

I have a Leica M4 that I am considering selling in order to buy a Bessa R2 or other CV M mount camera, in order to put more money toward lenses.

I searched the fora but couldn't find anything on this question:

For all of you Leica M and Bessa M-mount users who use both cameras, I know the Bessa R2 shutter is louder than the Leica M's (at least this M4, and the M6 and M3 that I used to own), but how does this translate to possible shake when using handheld? Do you see differences in your 1/15, 1/30 photos that, in your opinion, you would attribute to the louder shutter?

I've held a Bessa R in the past and it was sooooo much lighter than my Leica M; I would think that one variable in the Leica's favour would be that a lighter mass object would not be able to contain vibrations as effectively as a heavier object. But how much heavier is an M than an R2/variant?

And, I guess, another variable, the Bessa R2's shutter is vertical metal, yes? What kind of an impact, if any, would it have on handholdability compared to the horizontal cloth Leica shutter?

Best,
Andre

 

[froyd]

I've shot down to 1/8 wide open on both cameras (well, mine was and M4 and an R2a). Did not see any significant difference. The sharpness of the resulting image was due individual circumstances and technique. I certainly cannot say that I had more sharp low speed exposures on with one camera vs the other. At those speeds I usually lean against a solid object (table, wall, railing, etc) so the mass of the camera does not seem to be a deciding factor for me.

 

[Joosep]

Its probably more about the user than the camera.

Done 1/4 handheld with my R3M.
Gotten both sharp and unsharp images.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

You will be the source of the greatest variable: - the difference in the cameras will be negligible.

 

[Roger Hicks]

About the same, though (because of the noise) the Leica is slightly more confidence-inspiring.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Sparrow]

The vertical counterweighted shutter of the R2 will impart less energy into the body than the one-piece, one-way horizontal one in the Leica, however the Leica is heavier so it will absorb some of the extra movement ... but, as has been mentioned already it just doesn't sound that way round

 

[haempe]

I have the impression (completely unscientific!), that the 1/15 handheld succeeds me more often with the Bessa than with the MP. 🙁

 

[ampguy]

Only experience is the Bessa R. And M6s, M4-2s, M8. When I first got the Bessa R, the louder shutter and more motion felt worried me, I thought I'd have to go no lower than 1/60 or so. But after using it and getting many decent photos at 1/15, and 1/30th, just like the Leicas, I'm pretty sure the shutter induced movement comes after the exposure is taken.