Bessa T a sweet thing

[mc_vancouver]

It is a sweet thing...but I'm selling it. Not because I hate it, but because I want to get an R3M, and can't justify three bodies. So right now this BessaT black body in mint condition is on eBay...item number 230006566640.
Sunday, July 30th -- auction is about to close. Last minute offers? You're getting a mint camera.

 

[mc_vancouver]

According to Gandy's review, the view through the RF approximates a 300mm lens.

Well, perhaps it does, I thought it was more like 1.5x magnification, but the thing you may not realize until you've used it is, the view is very small, just a circle, with the rangefinder part of that circle even smaller. It takes some getting used to. So what you see is a circle, and within it, a smaller circle that is the rangefinder, which has a slightly yellowish cast so it is defined against the background. You certainly wouldn't use it as a viewfinder! Its accurate, I've proven that with the three rolls I've put through the Bessa T, but I actually prefer the rangefinder within the viewfinder of the M series Leicas and later Voigtlanders and so on. Also, as with the Leica screw mount series (I have the IIIf), you have to focus the rangefinder before you can focus the lens: on the Bessa, there is an eyepiece diopter correction ring, on the Leica, a lever under the rewind knob that focuses it.

 

[mc_vancouver]

When I first got it, I didn't have a separate viewfinder. You can't compose, because the image is small and circular, but you can at least center the subject, if you want them front and center! If you have a wider lens, such as a 25 or 28, you can sort of guesstimate the field of view, but its really rough. No, you need to have a viewfinder. One way to save money would be to find a used multi focal length finder such as the kind Canon and Leica made. Another would be to use, say, a 50mm finder for both 50 and 35mm lenses, knowing that you've got more in the field of view with the wider lens, of course. Or you could try it the other way around, going with a wider finder and imagining the central rectangle that a narrower lens would shoot: with a 35mm finder, pulling your eye back about an inch or so from the finder would be more or less what the 50 would shoot.

 

[mc_vancouver]

I guess that's a good reason for keeping it: I'm selling mine after only having it a month, because I have found I'd rather have the integrated viewfinder/rangefinder that I'm used to from the M series Leicas and so on. I have a separate rangefinder on the Leica IIIf and one of those is enough....I need something faster to operate. It's on eBay, item number 230006566640. Not that this is an ad. Just if you're interested in one.

 

[Dougg]

It is a sweet thing...but I'm selling it. Not because I hate it, but because I want to get an R3M, and can't justify three bodies....

Too bad you're selling it; I've always later regretted a sale. If you're careful in buying, then the rationalizations you created at the time should still be as valid later. 😀 If you're relatively mobile, and wish not to accumulate a lot of personal belongings that will have to be packed up as you move about due to employment or other reasons, then "traveling light" has its attractions. Having lived in the same place for 30 years, believe me I'm WAY past justifying 3 bodies!

In regard to the Voigtlanders, though I seldom used the Bessa-L, it would sell at such a low price (and at a loss) that it's worth it to just keep it in case I find a need. Pretty much the same for the Bessa-T; the odd near-antique nature of it is worth to me whatever paltry sum it would bring on eBay. Also, it has the trigger winder on it, a near-unique experience when and if I choose. I have decided I have no interest in other Bessa RF models, so would have nothing else to use the winder on anyway.

I guess we each have our own justifications to guide us; I can't justify any more Bessas but will keep the ones I've got. But, I might be able to justify a new Zeiss Ikon too in addition. 🙂

 

[Bike Tourist]

One More Comment

One More Comment

To cap off my particular adventures with the Bess T and, with everyone's forbearance, to double-post:

Stephen Gandy's prompt replacement T is flawless so far, but it has opened up another can of worms. I have enjoyed it so much that today I am receiving a used Leica 0.85 M6 TTL ! I will also keep the T.

At my advanced age, I don't shoot editorial any more and I am sort of bored with the peanuts I make from stock sales. That probably means that I will shoot fewer digital images and more RF film. This is a good site and I hope to be more of a participant here.

 

[mc_vancouver]

That Bessa T? Its still a "sweet thing" but I've put it up on eBay after using it a few months. I think this is a camera one either loves, for various reasons, including its simplicity and the accuracy of the rangefinder (with wide aperture lenses in particular), or one finds aggravating, having to use first the rangefinder, then up to a separate, optional, viewfinder, which, if you have several lenses, means you are switching the viewfinders as well as the lenses. I have decided to buy an R3M Voigtlander.

If you like a somewhat individualistic camera, with retro styling, that also has a built in meter, this is a great camera. To all you Bessa T users out there, and those of you who are thinking of getting it, I say thanks for contributing to the discussion about this camera.

 

[Nando]

Well, at least you got some fun out of it. I've had similar love-hate relationships with many things I've treasured, especially my cars. It may sound strange but mechanical things that are temperamental almost makes them seem more life-like to me.

Anyway, I think the R3A is great. I was considering one along with an R2 before I decided to go with a T. The R3A was a bit more money than the T so that's mainly why I decided against it. I wasn't counting on GAS to hit me but since March, I bought 4 more lenses and 6 viewfinders - so much for budgeting. In my case, the R3A would have ended up being more economical. An R3A with that Megaperl 1.3x vf magnifier would be a sweet thing too.

 

[Trius]

This thread is sort of dead, but I will attempt to revive it. I have to admit that I find the Bessa-T to be quite sexy looking, especially in black. Its modest price of entry to M mount bodies is the real attraction to me, so the look and feel is a bonus. So, here's my question ...

The 1.5x finder seems ideal for using fast lenses. I have been thinking of the T with the 40mm Nokton. I have a finder that would work (a Leica 35mm finder, I could easily estimate slightly tighter framing), and 40mm is my favourite focal length anyway ... at least right now.

If I chose to get an OM/M adapter, I could use a number of Zuikos on it as well, including a 21/2.

So, limiting the discussion to the Nokton 40, would this make sense? I doubt Mr. Gandy will have many black Ts in stock long.

I've had a PM exchange with John Robertson, who has been quite enthusiastic about it, so that's a good start.

 

[Terao]

Have the 40 slapped on the front of my new black T as I type this. Apart from looking damn sexy it also works extremely well with the zoom rangefinder. The rangefinder is completely astonishing to my inexperienced RF eye - it really is a double-image, precise focus is instant and easy...
Oh and the camera hangs nicely with the 40 plus hood attached, and also sits level on its base plate. Very nice walkaround combination...

 

[Burkey]

I originally bought my "T" for a second body to go along with my R3A. I thought I'd be using a CV 75mm on it with that cool retro-looking finder. But as of late I find that I'm grabbing it with the 40mm Nokton and finder for candid work. Mine's the silver body panda variety. When I bought it most all black bodies were unavailable but I'm sorta' liking the panda over time. Regardless, the camera is great and I really like the rangefinder in it, very accurate.

 

[Dougg]

Trius, Voigtlander does offer a 40mm finder, I think the only one made. Not terribly expensive, and might make framing easier for you. I have the Pentax 43/50mm external finder, which is adequate both for the Pentax 43mm lens and for the Voigtlander 40 Nokton. I think the Bessa-T is a decent choice for the Nokton, as the high-magnification RF is adequately accurate (though not a zoom finder as Terao said; the magnification is not variable). If you refer to the RF patch much for focusing, though, the switching of your eye between viewfinder and rangefinder will be a bit slower than a combined VF/RF.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Yesterday I received my brand new Bessa-T in black from Stephen Gandy. I absolutely love it! I have parked my new Canon 1.2 on her, and have an original Leitz M2 21-35 Adapter coming from Mark Hama, off of ebay. I bought an el-cheapo adapter, but it's not locking properly onto the body, stupid piece of $%# 😡 😡 😡

The 1.5 rangefinder view is perfect for my vision, not a bit of problem. Another concern was the huge original vented Canon hood blocking the rangefinder windows, it does, but it still works AOK. Love the adjustable ocular.

Now I need a Trigger Winder, and a deluxe strap, and I'm all set. Waiting for the Leitz M2 adapter😉

 

[rover]

I have used my T with wides, CV21 or 28mm lenses. I think this will be a easy second body (recently only body) in my bag with TriX rated fast for processing in Diafine. The T is a great handling body with the Bessa Side Grip. Having fast film in it with a wide makes focusing a non issue, it is very fast to use.

 

[Burkey]

There must be a "new" stock of black "T"s showing up. Both Cameraquest and Village Photo told me a month or so ago that they were not available anymore. Yet folks still seem to get them. Interesting.

*Edit* - 'Just checked Stephen's site and apparently Black "T"s are available at $100 over silver. I guess some black versions have become available after all.

 

[Nando]

I got the silver body. I wanted a black body initially but the silver one still looks classy in my opinion. I think the black Heliar 101 body is one of the sexiest camera bodies I've ever seen. I don't care much for the grey, olive and blue Heliar 101 bodies but the black Heliar 101 is drop-dead gorgeous.

You guys are giving me GAS for the 40 Nocton.

 

[ERV]

Its funny how things come around.
I bought this black T as a demo from Adorama, used it for a while and decided to sell it when I bought an M6. (you know the thinking when you first start out, hey, who needs two bodies anyway..)
I put it on ebay with a russian multi-finder for 225 and got no bids. (no lens)
I eventually did sell it, however I always think I should have kept it.
Fun camera, easy to use, shutter a little loud, but not bad for the price.

 

[Trius]

Thanks, Doug.

Speaking of finders, I just thought of another "issue" ... what about parallax? The CV 40mm finder has marks for parallax; how well does that work in practice?

Earl

 

[Nando]

I don't have the 40mm finder but the parallax markings are the same as on my other CV finders. I've found that parallax markings work ok but only if I remember to use them. At first, I kept forgetting quite often and ended up with some bad shots. I got over it quickly. I like that the CV finders have such markings as they serve as reminders for me. I tend to forget to compensate using my my Leitz 135, Imarect, and TEWE finders more often than with my CV's. They have mechanical knob/levers for parallax adjustments instead of markings on the viewfinder's window. The CV's with the markings are also faster to use.

 

[Dougg]

Parallax is a strange issue, Earl, and I think sometimes misunderstood. It's the difference between two points of view; the shooter and the film. The only way to have none at all is to view and compose through the lens. The farther apart the two viewpoints, the more the parallax.

This actually can be useful, as the camera rangefinder uses the same principle to measure distance to the subject. But the viewer would like the viewfinder to show as nearly as possible what will be captured on the film. Many viewfinders have moving framelines to show the change in framing as you focus, and some also shrink as you focus closer to indicate the narrower angle of view at close focusing.

The external viewfinders often have indicator marks to show the change of both field size and parallax at the closest focus distance, and you can interpolate between these and the main frameline for intermediate distances. As you focus through one window and frame through another, and keep in mind parallax issues, you need to keep your mind focused on what you're doing. 🙂

One further complication that is a little harder to visualize is that despite the framing and field-size corrections, nothing can change the fact that the viewfinder and film are seeing the subject from slightly different points of view. The corrections are valid only for objects at the focus distance. Objects nearer and farther away will have a slightly different relationship on film than in the viewfinder.

Say you'd like to make a vertical-oriented shot of a nearby person and line up a more distant telephone pole to appear to be growing out of the center of his head. You turn the camera, and the external viewfinder now is to the right of the film. You get the pole centered on his head and take the shot; later viewing the scan or print you see the pole is off to the left. Parallax! If the external viewfinder is positioned directly over the lens centeline, then at least there's no parallax for the horizontal direction, just the vertical. A Leica for instance, with its viewfinder both higher and to the left of the lens, will have two parallax components to compensate for, both horizontal and vertical.

In practice, with the external 40mm viewfinder, just pay attention to the near-subject chop marks for your portrait shots to avoid whacking off your subject's body parts, and out 10m or longer use the full frame and enjoy!