Bessa R2 for the amateur?

Gregoris

Gregoris

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I couldn't find peace of mind, I had to ask somewhere and someone, so I thought I'd ask here.

Money is tight and times are hard. Yet, I cannot stop thinking whether the used Bessa R2 that I saw at the local photography shop is the camera that I just have to get. It was in pristine condition and it came with a 35mm screw-mount lens on, cannot remember which one though :bang:

Now, at 500 Euros - I live in France - would you consider the camera/lens combo a good deal for an amateur who feels that he has to get a decent rangefinder? I own a couple of FSU and an Olympus 35RC, which I'm happy with, so is my thinking flawed to want a more "serious" rangefinder, and is a Bessa R2 it?

Thanks for any thoughts.
 
In my opinion, your "serious" rangefinder should be more towards the Leica rangefinders (especially at 500 Euro). I am not a Leica fanboy, and like you, I started out with FSU then tried Bessa and now I regularly use M4-2 and IIIF.

Now, a better camera will not give you better pictures but it does help when you can trust your gear and also appreciate the quality. I chose to use those two after countless FSU's, Canon RF's and Bessa's I've tried because of the feel of the camera in my hands when in use. I think you may understand when you first try a leica film rangefinder at slow shutter - 1/30 and below. The soft "touch" at slower speeds are what really hooked me and helped me make amazing pictures. One time I shot the Golden Gate Bridge during sunset with M4-2 and voigtlander 15mm at 1/15 shutter and none of the shots came out blurry from shake! Now that is a good feeling.
 
That seems expensive for a used R2 and voigtlander lens, but I don't live in France. At the end of the day, I think the best advice I can give you is to take your time. There are thousands of these cameras around.
 
If money wasn't tight, would it be the camera that you really want? I have a feeling that the answer is no. And since times are tough for you, I'd try to remedy that situation before getting €500 into the hole.
 
Bessa r2 is great, I've had two. What 35 Lens is on the body will determine if its worth the cash as the body is not worth 500 on its own.

Just bare in mind that you will want a leica after playing with the bessa...which is why I now shoot an m2
 
Thanks, people.
Yes, I also have the feeling that soon after I will be aching for an M2. I mean, I am already! But they really are out of my league - financially - at least for the time being.
Just wondering, if I ever do take the plunge towards the M2, is it advisable to buy a used camera that age on that evil site? I mean it worked fine with the Fed and the Zorki etc but for a Leica? And what would be a recommended 35mm lens, that will not break the bank?
 
If that 35mm is the only lens you will buy (because of budget reasons, believe as a former student I know how that feels 😉), you need to decide if you really need another cam with exchangeable lenses. You do have some nice cams already which you like.
Perhaps you could add a Yashica Electro 35 (any version) for about €50,- and save up the rest, until you can afford the Leica you yearn for.

If you plan to adapt your FSU lenses to the Bessa, that might be a reason for it.
 
Nothing compares to the look & feel of a Leica M2 (possibly only a Nikon F plain prism), but I must say that I have much more use for Bessas than their "originals" whether it is M2, Canon RFs, Barnacks or Nikon RF. I can only recommend them as they are light and easy to use and carry around.

I agree that at 1/30, even 1/15 the camera is a bit "light" in your hands and of course the all feeling is a bit cheap, but an R2 with a small 28 or 35, fits in my coat pocket and I can dump it in my briefcase while an M2 does not squeeze that easily and you have less weight to carry around. Also the meter is quite convenient to have and the rangefinder is satisfactory.

Just 500 EUR seems to me expensive, it really much depends what lens that is. You should not pay more than 200-250 EUR for an R2 body.

Leica is the only stuff I do not buy on ebay, but this is because it is still is a bit of an irrational purchase so I think it is worth enjoying that moment in a shop or from a buyer you know.
 
Classique said:
In my opinion, your "serious" rangefinder should be more towards the Leica rangefinders (especially at 500 Euro). I am not a Leica fanboy, and like you, I started out with FSU then tried Bessa and now I regularly use M4-2 and IIIF.

Now, a better camera will not give you better pictures but it does help when you can trust your gear and also appreciate the quality. I chose to use those two after countless FSU's, Canon RF's and Bessa's I've tried because of the feel of the camera in my hands when in use. I think you may understand when you first try a leica film rangefinder at slow shutter - 1/30 and below. The soft "touch" at slower speeds are what really hooked me and helped me make amazing pictures. One time I shot the Golden Gate Bridge during sunset with M4-2 and voigtlander 15mm at 1/15 shutter and none of the shots came out blurry from shake! Now that is a good feeling.
Click to expand...

I would think the isometric balanced vertical shutter of the Bessa would put much less shake into the camera, than the acceleration and deceleration of the Leica's horizontal one, and your Golden Gate photos aren't really surprising hand holding a 15mm at 1/15 is considered do-able with almost anything ... the rule is the reciprocal of the lens length, so a 50mm is 1/60, a 135mm is 1/125 and so on.
 
Bessa r2 with ultron 35 or 35 skopar attached for 500e would be a good deal in Europe, i don't expect it can be had cheaper here. I would go for it - if youre are not desperate to have leica.
 
Don't believe the hype.

A Bessa is every bit a serious as a Leica. A later Bessa, like the R2a, is a far more useable camera than an M2 - it has TTL metering, aperture priority and a faster shutter speed.

If you want to take pictures, get a Bessa.
 
Snapper_uk said:
Don't believe the hype.

A Bessa is every bit a serious as a Leica. A later Bessa, like the R2a, is a far more useable camera than an M2 - it has TTL metering, aperture priority and a faster shutter speed.

If you want to take pictures, get a Bessa.
Click to expand...
Oh, come on. You mean "I'm happier with an R2 than an M2". To call the Bessa a 'more usable camera' is nonsense. Having said that, I'd give the same advice to the OP as you do. Get an R2 (though not, in my view, the R2A). Take pictures with it. If you decide you want an M2 later, get one. Just as you say "Don't believe the hype", I'd say, "Don't believe the anti-hype either".

Remember that there's near enough 20% TVA (effectively a sales tax) in France so used camera prices do look expensive. Even at that, I'd say 500€ is a bit stiff, though a lot depends on the lens.

To the OP: where in France are you?

Cheers,

R.
 
I own two Bessas (R and R3A) and two Leicas (M3 and MP).
Maybe the Leicas are a bit nicer and of better haptics, but if we speak about photographical abilities, there is nothing what a Leica can do and a Bessa not. Bessas are dirty little workers... what I really appreciate. 🙂
 
Hi, all. Thanks for taking the trouble and sharing you thoughts.
The lens is a 35mm 2.5 Color-Skopar, a screw mount. I believe it is discontinued now.

@ruby.monkey I have a Jupiter-12 which only fits on my Zorki 6, haven't used it too much because the Zorki has a tendency to scratch the emulsion, can't figure out why, the pressure plate seems smooth. Tried putting it on my Fed 2 but just wouldn't fit, and the focusing ring was stuck!

Sound advice to not buy anything on impulse, though. I do have to keep my enthusiasm on check!

@Roger Hicks, I live in Valence, near Lyon. Perhaps there is a nice Leica store at Lyon that I can go and do some window shopping.

So, a consensus could well be: don't believe the hype?
 
If I were you, I'd rather save to buy an M2 and use your own J12 lens on it (with adaptor), than spend the same money for an R2 with CV35f2.5. I've owned and used both cameras and lenses. But that's just me.

The R2 is a fine camera with built in meter and less weight than an M2, but it doesn't feel like an M2. That may or may not be important to you. This issue of "feel" seems to be the great divide between those that prefer Leica and those that think they are over-priced.
 
I started rangefinders with an R2. A couple of months later I bought the camera I should have in the first place, an M6. I sold the R2 immediately and then had many Leica M's theresfter. I have 2 M2's at the moment. I actually bought the same R2 back, wanted a cheaper M alternative but soon sold it again.
My advice, buy an R2, scratch the r/f itch, save and buy the M2 and sell the R2 for no great loss.
 
Don't just go out on an impulse & buy a Leica or any camera. I thought I wanted a Leica until I compared several to my Bessa R. After looking through a M2 an M6, to my eyes my Bessa was much better & brighter to look through. I also like it's light weight for carrying around all day. You gotta get the camera that feels right for you.
 
Bessa pros: 1/2000th shutter speed, bright viewfinder, not 50 years old, light meter, window shows which film is loaded.

Leica pros: It's a Leica!

I got my 100% minty (no marks/scratches anywhere) Olive drab R2 for €250 from a German seller.
 
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