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!
I am struggling with this too. only I am looking for a second body
my pro/con on the various bodies your milage may vary, anybody else want to add to my pro con, knock yourselves out
Bessa L
Pro:
1. Inexpensive, $99 for the body or $314 including a 25/4 wide angle
2. TTL metering
3. Good second body
4. Uses all the screw mount lenses
5. small package
Con:
1. No viewfinder/needs aux viewfinders
2. Cannot use bayonet mount lenses
3. limited lenses [past a 35mm is probably pushing useable size]
Bessa T
Pro:
1. Pro inexpensive [$185] bayonet mount camera body
2. TTL metering
3. good second body, ok for prime body
4. trigger winder available
5. can use all Voightlander lenses with adaptors
Con:
1. Needs aux viewfinders
2. separate viewfinder and rangefinder make a slower camera
3. Discontinued
4. hmm, things are looking good for a second body….
Bessa R
Pro:
1. Inexpensive $249 or $ 399 including a 35/2.5 lenses
2. uses all screw mount lenses [well not all the Russian ones ]
3. adjustable frame lines 35mm 50mm 75mm 90mm
4. TTL metering
5. all mechanical camera
Con:
1. cannot use bayonet lenses, screw mount make for slow lens changes
2. all mechanical camera [if you want more expensive controls go to a R2A or R3A]
3. ok that covers my complaints about the R
Bessa R2
Pro:
1. Bayonet mount version of the R [but said to be more robust]
2. trigger winder available
3. all mechanical
4. metal instead of plastic body parts
5. olive color available, strong “splatter” paint finish
Con:
1. At $599 the most expensive Bessa available
2. discontinued
3. silver never available
Bessa R2A
Pro:
1. uses all Voightlander lenses with a adaptors as necessary
2. AE exposure with plus/minus two stops exposure compensation $539 black $579 grey is less than the R2
3. splatter finish
4. Excellent prime body choice
Con:
1. AE exposure control, IF you don’t want it then it is not worth it
2. .7 mag viewfinder [gotta put something]
3. Price, Get an R with the 35mm and almost have enough left for a 25/4
4. expensive as a back up body
Bessa R3A
Pro:
1. uses all Voightlander lenses with a adaptors as necessary
2. AE exposure with plus/minus two stops exposure compensation
3. $539 black $579 grey is less than the R2
4. splatter finish
5. same price as the 2A
6. 1:1 viewfinder. The R3A has the best finder ever for 50, 75, and 90 framelines amongst film cameras [per cameraquest]
Con:
1. AE exposure control
2. viewfinder lines are 40/50/75/90 instead of 35/50/75/90
3. again price IF you do not want the AE exposure control
4. expensive as backup body
So, as a first camera I personally would rate them as:
1st Bessa R2
2nd Bessa R
3rd Bessa T
4th Bessa L
R2A R3A are not in the running do to the AE control
the last two presume that they will go from prime to back up body at some point
OR if you prefer AE control
1st Bessa R3A
2nd Bessa R2A
3rd Bessa R2 or R tie, depending on desire for bayonet mount V. screw mount and depth of pockets
😀
4th Bessa T
5th Bessa L
All info and prBices come from Cameraquest
heavy sigh.... I am having a GAS attack for a back up body :bang: :bang: :bang:
