Bessa Recommendations

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pcfranchina

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I am looking to make a purchase..... Which model do you recommend? And what is a goos starter lens? Im not on a tight budget but Id like to stay in the $500 or so range. Is the R2 worth the extra? or go as low as the L?
Mostly be doin street and city type photography. Thanks in advance!
 
It depends on how much you want to spend. It also depends on which type of lens or lenses you want. If it's only a "normal" lens, go with an older 70's rangefinder with a fixed lens.
 

Check out the sponser links and check the Bessa Forum here at this website. There is loads of info on every model to get you started on choosing. I like the old R2 with a 35/1.7 or the R3a with the 40/1.4 , good luck.
 
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Well, the cat's _ss is the Bessa R2A/R3A, but just the body is a tad over $500 from Cameraquest. Also the Rollei 35RF (a bessa R2-like version) is selling for pretty cheap right now at B&H. Let me see..., yes, $499.95 USD.
 
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You wont go wrong with the Bessa R & CV 35/2.8 deal from Cameraquest.

It has a classic feel, is a well built modern camera, fully manual with a great meter.

I got mine in the spring of 2005 and really like it.

Regards,

Bill K.
 
If you're cheap like me, you could go for a T model. No, not the Ford, the Bessa-T! Rangefinder with 1.5x magnification that allows the use of the fastest M-mount lenses out there if you're interested in low light street photography. But alas, no built in viewfinder, you'd need external ones just like on the L. Great starter, and currently at close-out prices.
 
I've been thinking about this for a while as well. I've narrowed it down to the R or R2a. The aperture priority function of the latter is very appealing. And those fast 35s only sweeten the deal.

However, Frank has a good point on the old 70s fixed lens. I've been shooting a Yashica GSN for five years. It's my go-to camera for low light streets and back room bars. The thing is i distructable and the meter is spot on. The only draw back with the GSN is that there's no shutter control.

If it were me (and it will be eventually), I'd get a Bessa rig with a fast 35.

Jonathan
 
Given the fact that you already own and use a Canonet GIII, I'd stick with that for street work and save my $$$. But that's just me, I'm what they call "frugal". 🙂 Others make good points about the 70's-era fixed lens RFs.

That said, the fully mechanical Bessa R kit at $399 from CameraQuest is a good bargain if you're itching to try interchangeable lenses. You'll also have a hunderd bucks left over for film, processing and a wrist strap. I've owned the R since last spring and it's become my all-around film camera.

Good luck with your decision.
 
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Jonathan -- I use the 35 Classic. I've never used the 35P but I thought I read somewhere that the optical formula was the same for each lens. And from what I've seen the 35P isn't too much smaller than the 35C. The 35C is pretty darn small but the focus lever makes it easy to use. It's a nice travel lens.
 
No not at all, I thought it would be, but it has the same feel as my wifes EOS 7, feels solid to me and handles nicely. I can use all my FSU lenses except the 35mm and while the FED 50 collapsable will mount if you are Very carefull I won't use it, The Industar 22 is too long. The Chrome version "looks" kind plastic but feels the same. Its going to take me some time to get used to seeing meter info in the viewfinder but it is sure big and Bright compaired to the FSU stuff . Dave
 
pcfranchina said:
I am looking to make a purchase..... Which model do you recommend? And what is a goos starter lens? Im not on a tight budget but Id like to stay in the $500 or so range. Is the R2 worth the extra? or go as low as the L?
Mostly be doin street and city type photography. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I love my Bessa R. You can get one for $399 from either CAMERQUEST or PHOTOVILLAGE including the 35/2.5 lens [ I really like this combination, for my current shooting needs]

or the Bessa R with the non-coupled 25/4 lens for $449.

I like the all manual type camera so I am partial to the R.

both will fit your current price range,

Dan
 
Pcfranchina, since you already have 2 Canonets, why are you looking to add another camera? The Canonets have the best features of rangefinders. They are compact, well built, & quiet. They also have lenses that are good enough for almost anything you want to do - including low light photography with the QL17 GIII. Mine was stolen last summer & I still miss it.
 
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