Bessa R2 questions.

[f16sunshine]

After struggling to find an M5 replacement I could afford, I have "settled" on a Bessa r2 in Olive finish for my trio of M and LTM lenses that remain.
I'll continue to look for another M5 when my budget loosens up.
For now the r2 will do fine for a handful of rolls per month.

Although it's years ago now, I've owned an Olive R2 in that past and just love the finish and feel of the little camera.
It looks great with a silver lens and my Color Skopar f2.5/50mm is right at home there.

A couple questions though...

...Is there any service or trick to lightening up the shutter button?
It takes a lot of pressure to "click" the shutter in these cameras. It was the same with my last one as well as a Bessa L that I had in the past although this one is heavier than any of the others.
The camera is in great condition but it's not unused by any means.
In other words. Exercise or rather the lack thereof does not seem to be the issue.
Any suggestions are welcome.

....What is the fastest aperture one might comfortably focus on the Bessa R2?
I mostly use the Color Skopar 50.
I do own a Canon 50mm f1.2 which I had never used on anything but a Canon7 or M5/M8. Is it silly to think the R2 can accuratly focus at f1.2 with that short baseline ?

....Has anyone come up with a solution for the poor placement of the strap lugs.
Just like the canon7 they are on the front of the camera. With a lightweight lens the camera is always tipping up when a neck strap is used.
I mostly use my neck strap as a lanyard around my wrist but do slide the strap around my neck when I bike or otherwise don't carry the camera in hand.


Olive you! by Adnan, on Flickr

 

[dmc]

Love the Olive Bessa! I can't think of a more classic look. Congrats!

So, I suggest a soft release for the shutter button. It cuts the pressure required IMO. As for focusing, I use a Skopar 40/1.4 wide open on my R3. No problems nailing focus. There is a side grip available for the R2 that I think helps balance the camera out a bit. I do hate the strap lug locations on the Bessas!

The above are available at Cameraquest in Cali or Camtech in Montreal.

Cheers,

John

 

[f16sunshine]

Thanks John

I put a release button on it. It helps with a bit more leverage. It's still over stiff.
It's not that bad really. Just looking to make it better. 🙂

 

[Scrambler]

Accurately focus a 50mm/f1.2? No. But focus within a short distance? Yes. You will get some successes and probably more failures. Consider bracketing focus by rocking forward and/ or back over the expected variability range. Or use the lens at f2.

 

[traveler_101]

...Is there any service or trick to lightening up the shutter button?
It takes a lot of pressure to "click" the shutter in these cameras. It was the same with my last one as well as a Bessa L that I had in the past although this one is heavier than any of the others.
The camera is in great condition but it's not unused by any means.
In other words. Exercise or rather the lack thereof does not seem to be the issue.
Any suggestions are welcome.

....What is the fastest aperture one might comfortably focus on the Bessa R2?
I mostly use the Color Skopar 50.
I do own a Canon 50mm f1.2 which I had never used on anything but a Canon7 or M5/M8. Is it silly to think the R2 can accuratly focus at f1.2 with that short baseline ?

....Has anyone come up with a solution for the poor placement of the strap lugs.
Just like the canon7 they are on the front of the camera. With a lightweight lens the camera is always tipping up when a neck strap is used.
I mostly use my neck strap as a lanyard around my wrist but do slide the strap around my neck when I bike or otherwise don't carry the camera in hand.


Olive you! by Adnan, on Flickr

Hi,

Great looking kit! Congrats.

I have now two Bessas, the T and the R that share some of the same issues. Here are some replies . . . hope you don't think i'm being flippant, but I found the cameras to have their limitations and here is how I have dealt with them

1. All the shutters clunk (I have read), but the pressure needed for release differs between my two Bessas. I prefer the T in this case. What to do? I squeeze the trigger so to speak to avoid pushing down hard and jerking the camera.

2. Are the rangefinders good enough for F/1.1. Well not with my eyesight (lol).

3. The strap lugs are designed for an SLR. Solution: use a larger, SLR-type lens. My R is perfectly balanced with the 35mm Ultron f/1.7 attached. It's a great combo and, actually, I bought the R specifically for that lens. Otherwise, it's best to sling the camera over your shoulder and you don't notice the imbalance so much.

Enjoy your new kit!