Bessa

ArtAviator

ArtAviator

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Cool. I'm the second person to write a response. If all goes well, I'll soon own a brand new Bessa T. I know Leicas are where it's at, but my cashflow doesn't realize it. So, I'm going with Bessa. I'm new to rangefinders and looking forward to it. My SLR was aggravating me, as it took LAME photos (quality-wise). I've been using a Sigma lens on a Minolta Maxxum...not too impressive. I also have a Leica Digilux 1, which blows the former out of the water. I'm hoping the Bessa will compete with the D1's quality but on the traditional level (film). I'm also looking forward to a new style of photographing. I hope to hear from other Bessa users out there. I'm sure I'll have a few questions soon enough. 🙂

Steve
 
Steve Welcome to the Bessa isers. If you have not already, you might go to Stephen Gandy's website, www.cameraquest.com which has plenty information on Bessa equipment as well as links to the Cosina-Voigtlander group on topica.com. Since you are getting a Bessa-T which has a rangefinder but not a multi-finder, you will need an external finder and the Russian multi-turret finder which covers 28, 35, 50, 85 and 135 mm lens is a possible choice whenever this is discussed on that list. You can get that reasonabvly cheap from various vendors on ebay. Also you probably want to get at least one screw-mount to M-Mount adapter so you can use a variety of screw mount lens (old Canon as well as Leica as well as the current Cosina-Voigtlander lens) on the Bessa. Hope this helps.
Ron
 
Steve,

You might try fedka.com. The getleman who runs the site is located in the US, as are his items for sale (I believe). He is reliable, has a splendid reputation on the Russian Camera users forum on beststuff.com. I bought a lovely Kiev II from him a couple of months ago and it is a gem. He is a bit more expensive than others, but I will be happy to deal with him again.

He does appear to have a turret finder in stock. Check out: http://www.fedka.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=34


Regards
Alan
 
I just want to echo what has been said about fedka. I have purchased several items from him, both on ebay and directly from his website and would purchase from him again without reservation.

Ron
 
Re: Bessa

ArtAviator said:
Cool. I'm the second person to write a response. If all goes well, I'll soon own a brand new Bessa T. I know Leicas are where it's at, but my cashflow doesn't realize it.
Click to expand...
Likewise. I really enjoy taking street photos as well as carrying a camera regularly. Like you, I also have a Minolta SLR but wanted something smaller, lighter but with full manual control. The Bessa R fit my requirements perfectly.

So, I'm going with Bessa. I'm new to rangefinders and looking forward to it. My SLR was aggravating me, as it took LAME photos (quality-wise). I've been using a Sigma lens on a Minolta Maxxum...not too impressive.
Click to expand...

I've been very happy with the results from my Minoltas. Picking a decent lens, film, and lab makes a huge impact on your final results.

Good luck with your upcoming Bessa T purchase. I've been very pleased with my R and CV 35/2.5C lens. I have also just sent payment for a CV 75/2.5 which I hope to receive very soon.


...lars
 
Multi-finder

Multi-finder

Hi ABarGrill & others,

Forgive my naivete', but, I'm looking at this multi-finder:

http://www.fedka.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=83

...could someone explain why I need it? Will I be limited with the finder provided with the Bessa T? The Multi-finder seems kind of bulky. Could I instead get separate finders for varying focal lengths? I'm starting out with a 50 mm lens.

Glad this forum is here. I swung by B&H today and asked them to direct me to the Rangefinders. The guy replied, "a what-what?" I finally made my way to the used camera dept. where they had Leica M6 body's for $2199 used! Glad I'm dealing with Mr. Gandy instead. I'm sure a Bessa will do fine in getting me started in this medium.

Steve
 
turret finder

turret finder

The short answer is that you don't need a turret and can get finders for just about each individual lens you could use on a Bessa. And the turret is bulkier.

However. the turret gives you certain economies: First, its price is more modest than most other viewfinders. Second, as one who has two finders (albeit not for focal lengths covered on the ) and finds them small and inconevient to stow without the little devils running from me, there is a certain comfort to having one plastic holder, made for the turret finder that can be located more readily). Third, changing lenses is hassle enough----it is much easier to rotate the turret than remove and replace the finder.

Regards,

Alan
 
I have to add that the Voigtlander external finders are very good indeed, and reasonably priced. Luxuriously large and bright and sharp. Some are better than others however, and the CameraQuest web site makes it fairly easy to distinguish good from outstanding.

Both my 15 and 25mm finders have more barrel distortion than wanted, but they're still very good. The new metal 35mm finder and the 90mm brightline finder are really great (not needed of course on a Leica M or Bessa R/R2). The 90mm, like I think the 50 and 75mm finders, shows a 1:1 lifesize view so you can leave both eyes open, and in addition the 90 has adjustable parallax.

I've not used a turret finder, but suspect it would have a dark small squinty view from each finder segment. Maybe I'm wrong. But a great bright viewfinder adds to your shooting enjoyment!

Doug
 
The minimalist approach...

The minimalist approach...

Seems Im not alone in ditching the big SLR and lens for the rangefinder. Lost the Nikon F100 and all long lens. Kept the FM3A and a 20-35mm f2.8 but never use it. It'll come back into fashion one day if I keep it long enough.... (Aah, sorry! no thats the paisley shirt Im thinking about 🙂)

Anyway the prime camera these days is the M6, I have the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Asph and toooo many Voigtlander lens. But now being based in China Ive decided I should always have a camera with me even if shooting isnt the plan...

The Bessa T + 28mm f3.5 I have found to be a fabulous combination as the carry anywhere solution which literally fits in the pocket, well bumbag. The other bit positive I find for street photography with the Bessa T is the exposure meter LEDs being on the outside - with a 28mm its very easy to range focus and expose with the camera around your neck if need be.

regards...
 
Re: The minimalist approach...

Re: The minimalist approach...

craygc said:
Seems Im not alone in ditching the big SLR and lens for the rangefinder. Lost the Nikon F100 and all long lens. Kept the FM3A and a 20-35mm f2.8 but never use it. It'll come back into fashion one day if I keep it long enough.... (Aah, sorry! no thats the paisley shirt Im thinking about 🙂)
Click to expand...
I couldn't make that kind of a jump. I kept my SLR system (not really huge or expensive...2 bodies, 1 flash, 5 lenses) since I knew the RF would not be able to handle everything I can (and sometimes do) with the SLR.

I got into RF's with a Bessa R and 35/2.5. I really liked that combination and decided that my next lenses should be the 75/2.5, 20/4 and maybe the 50/1.5 when finances permit. My thinking was that this, combined with a small manual flash, would make a nice, light travel kit. But having just acquired the 75/2.5 last weekend, I'm not so sure if I like a telephoto on a RF camera.

The framelines are too small for my liking and I don't get the compressed perspective that I am used to seeing through an SLR viewfinder. I'll keep shooting with it for another month or two before deciding if I should keep it or not. The other thing I don't like is that the 75/2.5 ruins the conveniently small size of the Bessa package. My next planned purchase is the 21/4 which should be a better fit for me, although I wish CV made a faster 21.
 
Originally posted by craygc
Seems Im not alone in ditching the big SLR and lens for the rangefinder.

Well, I'm not. Sure the Bessa R is an interesting camera, but I can't use my Russar or Jupiter 12 on it. Suddenly it's not that interesting anymore - I would have to by new lenses and for a moment I have to consider how much of a rangefinder person I actually am - O.K. those cameras are funny to use and I like my Fed 2's, BUT if I really wanna do some serious shooting, I reach out for my Nikon F's & F2's.
Yes they are big and heavy and noisy especially mounted with motors, but they are reliable - they just keep on working and working and working..... year after year - one from '64, one from '65 and 4 from '73.

Sorry I got a little off topic.

I DO use my Fed 2's in situations where I want to be unnoticed and anonymous.
 
jacemanuel said:
Originally posted by craygc
and I like my Fed 2's, BUT if I really wanna do some serious shooting, I reach out for my Nikon F's & F2's.
Yes they are big and heavy and noisy especially mounted with motors, but they are reliable - they just keep on working and working and working..... year after year - one from '64, one from '65 and 4 from '73.
Click to expand...
Funny, that's what got me into rangefinders. Last year I dug out my Dad's old Nikon F AND then my father-in-law gave me HIS old Nikon F (which is in very, very good condition). After many years of shooting with AF cameras, I was shocked to discover how much I missed the sound and feel of an all manual camera. I cleaned them off and replaced the mirror foam and tried to use them for casual shooting but their weight was too much of a turn-off. Then I borrowed a friend's FM2n but I still found it too heavy/bulky to carry frequently. And that's how I ended up buying a Bessa R.

The majority of my shooting is now done with my Bessa and my AF Minoltas. Meanwhile, I've got two F's and an F2 that aren't getting much use at all, but I am reluctant to part with them for sentimental reasons. Maybe I'll sell the F2...but it's SO nicely built!

...lars
 
jacemanuel said:
Sure the Bessa R is an interesting camera, but I can't use my Russar or Jupiter 12 on it. Suddenly it's not that interesting anymore - I would have to by new lenses and for a moment I have to consider how much of a rangefinder person I actually am - O.K. those cameras are funny to use and I like my Fed 2's...
Click to expand...

Hi-- If you can use your Russar and Jupiter, you should be able to use them on the Bessa.

"As any Soviet Leica copy this FED-2 is compatible with the 39 mm Leica TM lenses." - from the Fedka web site.

Is the Jupiter 12 the copy of 35mm Biogon, extending very deep into the camera body? I recall that topic coming up a few times but it seemed to me the upshot was that it fit the Bessa ok...
 
Hi Doug,

that's exactly the problem - both lenses extend very deep into the camera.
One of my Fed 2's are not loaded, so it gave me the possibility to check how deep those lenses extend into the camera. I just set the shutter speed to B - there is 3 perhaps 4 mm between the rear end of the lenses the shutter curtains.

And there are two shutters i the Bessa, right?

Jacques.
 
The CV Bessas have an unusual double shutter arrangement wich results is less free space between the lens mounting flange and the front shutter.

Evidently, the rear elements on a Jupiter 12 protrude so far into the camera body that there is a mechanical interference with the front shutter and the shutter can be damaged.
 
Hi,
I'm new to rangefinders.
I bought my Bessa R and Ultron 35mm f 1.7 aspherical via the Internet. I'm in love with this camera.
from Robert White in UK
http://www.robertwhite.co.uk
The lens is very sharp, the body is easy and very discreet in street photography.
Best regards,
Lucian
 
In my opinion it is not indicated tu use russian lens on Bessa. Thes lenses have problem with sarph on infinite when are fit the Bessa.
Lucian
 
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