Bessa T a sweet thing

[mc_vancouver]

I just got a Bessa T with the Voigtlander rapidwinder attached, a demo unit that was recently posted on eBay, complete with a 25mm f/4 Skopar. I'd never used a rapid winder before, it's fun, although I usually take my time, for that just-about-to-be-missed shot, you know, the one that happens .5 of a second after the shutter was released, I bet this will be really useful--assuming I have it engaged. The viewfinder situation: I am going to have to get used to buying viewfinders and changing them with the lens; right now it came with the 25mm finder so I'm okay. I have attached my 50 Summitar, via the thread-to-M mount adapter, and checked the rangefinder, which offers a 1.5x magnification, good for lenses that are wide-open. What I would like to know, from anyone else who has used the T, is how reliable it is, and any other comments they would care to make. It will take time to get used to switching from rangefinder to viewfinder, although with the 25 Skopar that isn't necessary as it does not use the rangefinder.

 

[KoNickon]

I have one and it's as reliable as any of the other Bessas, which is to say pretty darn reliable, since the basic chassis is a time-tested Cosina design. A word of caution regarding the rapidwinder -- I hear of people jamming the shutter when they push the button before they've finished winding the film. So be careful not to rush the process.

Also, and this is true of any external viewfinder, be sure it's snugly secured in the shoe (and make a habit of checking it periodically). It's easy to lose viewfinders, and they're expensive.

 

[simonankor]

The T certainly is a sweet body, I just got one recently also. I haven't got the rapidwinder yet, though I am tempted. I'm using it with a 35/2.5, and I do use the rangefinder all the time. Once you get used to it, it can be almost as quick as using a combined RF/VF 🙂

 

[pvdhaar]

I'm really happy with my Bessa-T. It takes a while to get used to the separate VF/RF, but it's a joy to use. Although, truth be told, I had to have it repaired recently. The film advance mechanism broke together with the shutter. The linkage between advance and shutter cocking was apparently gone, and caused damage to both.

That was after a mere 20 rolls of film. It's been repaired under warrantee, but that took nearly three months. I'm not sure whether this kind of breakdown is symptomatic of the more recent production Bessa-T, as mine has a fairly low serial number (3110).

As per viewfinders, I really like the 1:1 50mm Voigtlander finder. It's so compact that it goes very well with the Bessa-T's low profile.

 

[Noah]

I like my Bessa-T a lot, no mechanical problems and the build seems solid. I think they're ideal for wide-angle lenses (I usually shoot with a 28mm or 21mm) but I would think they'd be more cumbersome with a 50mm or longer lenses, just because the rangefinder and veiwfinder are seperate.

Also, and this is true of any external viewfinder, be sure it's snugly secured in the shoe (and make a habit of checking it periodically). It's easy to lose viewfinders, and they're expensive.

After I put the veiwfinder in the shoe, I tape the veiwfinder to the body with a small piece of electical tape just for extra security. Kinda tacky, but better than losing your finder while you're out shooting, no?

 

[taffer]

I just got a Bessa T with the Voigtlander rapidwinder attached, a demo unit that was recently posted on eBay, complete with a 25mm f/4 Skopar. I'd never used a rapid winder before, it's fun, although I usually take my time, for that just-about-to-be-missed shot, you know, the one that happens .5 of a second after the shutter was released, I bet this will be really useful--assuming I have it engaged. The viewfinder situation: I am going to have to get used to buying viewfinders and changing them with the lens; right now it came with the 25mm finder so I'm okay. I have attached my 50 Summitar, via the thread-to-M mount adapter, and checked the rangefinder, which offers a 1.5x magnification, good for lenses that are wide-open. What I would like to know, from anyone else who has used the T, is how reliable it is, and any other comments they would care to make. It will take time to get used to switching from rangefinder to viewfinder, although with the 25 Skopar that isn't necessary as it does not use the rangefinder.

The T is a superb camera and over all a very well thought design. Not everybody's piece of cake, but if you don't mind external finders, it's a superb value.

In fact a store here had a black paint Heliar edition body together with a 50 1:1 finder for 300 euros and I was tempted to get it even though I already have one 🙂

That said, beware of that lifetime shot .5 seconds after you just took one, if you happen to have a slow shutter speed selected and you attempt to cock the shutter again while it's still opened... invariably shutter jam 😱

I've taken my T around quite a lot, thrown in the backpack with no extra protection, summer, winter, sweat and even under the rain, no problems at all, working like the first day.

Enjoy it !!!

Oscar

 

[hth]

I must give a nod to the build quality of the T, no problem so far except that the lens locking mechanism on mine gives a very subtle (virtually quiet) feedback when it locks.

I bought it some 4-5 years ago I think and it has been around a bit, less in recent years as I tend to prefer the mixed RF/viewfinder bodies.

Yet, it is light, feels solid enough and gets the job done. The separate viewfinder can be a good thing as it is wonderfully free from distractions (focus spot), just framelines in a bright viewfinder (if you get the CV ones).

On the other hand, a Leica is more quiet (which can be important sometimes) and my Hexar RF is always ready for another shot (except when I change film, but that goes quicker than with any other M body I have tried).

/Håkan

 

[raid]

I like the Bessa T a lot for day to day photography, but it has a noisy shutter and it depends on batteries. Its built-in meter is very accurate, and the camera is light weight. It makes a perfect second camera body and an excellent single camera body too. I like it a lot.

 

[John Robertson]

You can also do this with the Bessa T and a Visoflex 111. Great for macro, and the top plate meter read out makes metering easy. also lets you use enlarging lenses as macro lenses, I use an 80mm El Nikkor, which can be picked up quite cheap these days. 😉
I picked up the viso for £80, its like me, scruffy but works well!! 🙄

 

[simonankor]

I like the Bessa T a lot for day to day photography, but it has a noisy shutter and it depends on batteries.

The batteries only power the meter. If you remove them the camera still works just fine, and you can carry a handheld meter or guestimate, depending on your mood 😀

 

[mc_vancouver]

Thanks for all your comments. This is my first time here on rangefinder forum and it is great to find a community dedicated to this now somewhat anachronistic art of shooting film with a camera that hasn't changed all that much in style since Oskar Barnack invented it. I also have a Leica IIIf but its currently getting new shutter curtains cut and installed. And I made a horrible mistake and bought a Canon VT deluxe on eBay and when it arrived, a screw fell out from somewhere, there was something rattling around inside the v/f and the rewind was frozen. Not to go on and on about it, but after trying to get hold of the seller, after starting a PayPal dispute, I decided to drop the matter, get it repaired here in Vancouver, and relist it on eBay, newly cleaned, lubricated and working as it should have been.

 

[BrianPhotog]

A word of caution regarding the rapidwinder -- I hear of people jamming the shutter when they push the button before they've finished winding the film. So be careful not to rush the process.

I've never had (or heard of) that problem (I've a winder on my R2 & R2a) but have had issues with frame spaceing with the trigger winder on the R2.

I wrote a review of the trigger winder at: http://www.cosina-voigtlander.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=33

 

[raid]

The batteries only power the meter. If you remove them the camera still works just fine, and you can carry a handheld meter or guestimate, depending on your mood 😀

I am learning! Well, this information is good to know, Thanks.

 

[hth]

I got cheap alkaline batteries for my T and they did not last too long. Eventually I got bored of feeding batteries into it, so it is on battery-less diet for a couple of years now.. 😉

/Håkan

I am learning! Well, this information is good to know, Thanks.

 

[Dougg]

I got cheap alkaline batteries for my T and they did not last too long. Eventually I got bored of feeding batteries into it, so it is on battery-less diet for a couple of years now.. 😉

Interesting... I got my Bessa-T in January 2003 and put in high quality silver cells... the meter still works fine today, and I don't recall yet having changed the batteries...

 

[John Robertson]

Interesting... I got my Bessa-T in January 2003 and put in high quality silver cells... the meter still works fine today, and I don't recall yet having changed the batteries...

I have had a single lithium battery in mine since Sept 2001, still fine. :angel:

 

[pvdhaar]

I got cheap alkaline batteries for my T and they did not last too long. Eventually I got bored of feeding batteries into it, so it is on battery-less diet for a couple of years now.. 😉

/Håkan

The Bessa-T only uses the batteries for the light meter, so the current is very low. This implies that the best choice of battery is Lithium, which has a very low self discharge and a shelf life of up to 8 years.

Next best would be silver, which can do higher currents, but which also has a higher self discharge. Shelf life up to 4 years.

Worst would be alkaline, usefull for high continuous currents (torches, motorized toys etc), but with the highest self discharge and the shortest shelf life.

 

[Bike Tourist]

I just ordered a T + 35/2 and adapter and viewfinder to make it all hang together.
This was sort of a budget nostalgia thing.

I shoot editorial (covers and calendars) and a lot of stock these days. I use a Nikon D70 and a D200 with 5 - 6 pro lenses. That's all I really need. I was free of film and didn't miss the associated costs of film.

Then the nostalgia bug hit. Just for fun, I thought, I'd like to have an improved IIIf with reliable shutter, more speeds, a backdoor for easy film loading and a built-in meter while still being charming and quirky — something to play Eddie Adams or Henri Cartier Bresson with. In other words, a Bessa T.

I can hardly wait. Must remember to buy film. Must remember to buy film. Must remember to buy film.

 

[Bike Tourist]

I guess this thread is tapped out. No comments.

Well, just to add to my prior post, I wanted something completely diametrically opposed to a digital SLR. What would qualify more than a film-based rangefinder with separate viewfinder?

I suppose T's are not numerous and not popular.

Good!

 

[stevew]

Welcome!

Welcome!

I shoot digital SLR, 120,4x5 and 35mm . Digital is cheaper to shoot and workflo is easier than shooting film and scanning, yet there are times I crave the simplicity of wandering around with a rf and not punching through digital menus.

It is more work processing film and scanning though. There is the issue of getting busy and having a roll of film sitting in the camera for 6 months.

The Bessa's are fine cameras. Not jewel like as a Leica, but I sold my MP because I felt bad carring around $4K in camera and lens and worring about it getting stolen or broken. The Bessa can travel with me all the time and not worry about it. The lens' are very good, not quite leica, but few people get the absolute from a leica lens' (necessary to mount the camera on a tripod or monopod for absolute stability).

Here's a few shot with R+35/2.5 skopar. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=5661