Bessa Shopping, Any suggestions?

[bucks11]

Evening all,
I think I'm ready to make the jump to a RF body, I'm done with my practice on the fixed-lenses...
For my first buy I want to find a Bessa R or something of the nature, but I don't really want to drop all my money at once.
At KEH I was looking at R bodies for ~$300 in EX cond. chrome, or ~$225 for BGN cond. black. Any word on how KEH rates their products, I've read that some people believe they really underrate their products?...With their return policy, I'd be willing to give it a gamble.
Maybe with the R body find a Jupiter or Industar lens to experiment with..

Would there be any downsides to the R body, I don't really want to shell out the extra for an R2,R3,R4, etc. because I still shoot mainly SLR/DSLR but just want to ease my way into the RF world...

Any inputs? Thanks..

 

[david.elliott]

As much as I like KEH, I think their Bessa R bodies are overpriced.

As to their ratings, I believe they rate conservatively. And their return policy is very liberal. But I have never bought a body from them, just lenses.

 

[back alley]

put a wtb ad in the classifieds and wait for a seasoned member to respond. i would start with a cv lens as well.

 

[Tom A]

Only drawback with the R body is that if you intend to use M mount lenses later - you would have to find a R2 or later body. The R is simple, neat and works very well. Good meter too.
The alternative would be to find a R2 here in classified. At least it would be "backwards" compatible with LTM through an adapter. Prices of the "common" Bessa's seem to hover around the $300 mark anyway. The R3's and R4's are more money.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

The only downside I can tell is the inability to use M-mount lenses, whereas an M-mount camera would be able to use both LTM and M-mount lenses.

While CV seems to phasing out LTM lenses, they're still out there and offer modern options in addition to all the classic lenses available.

However, I still have and use my Bessa R even though I also have a R2a and a ZI. I use it with a black Jupiter 8 and the two with B&W film go together well for me.

The Bessa R is more than able to provide the 35mm RF experience.

 

[capitalK]

I was in your position last summer. I waited around long enough and got a well-priced R2A in as new condition on the classifieds here. I only had enough for the body so I was fortunate to have a friend locally who generously lent me his J-3 + LTM-M adapter for a few months. I used that time to save up for my Zeiss Biogon 35mm f/2.

I'm very impressed by it and as much as I would love a Leica M body I think my next purchase will be a Bessa R4M with a 21mm or 25mm lens as a second body.

 

[bucks11]

Thanks for all the responses so far,
I think I'll just hang tight for a bit and find an M-mount like suggested, I never really thought about the limitations of strictly LTM. I saw a R2 body on Adorama for a little over $300, so I know they're out there and I'll keep an eye on the classifieds a little longer, maybe post a WTB too. Hopefully it pays off...

 

[MaxElmar]

Consider a Bessa T, if you are on a budget (like I am). It has the M mount, the most accurate (I say best) Bessa RF, and large lenses don't block the RF. Try it with the outstanding CV finders. If you wear glasses, it's a revelation.

I guess I love it because I grew up shooting a Leica III.