Camera and Coffee

[rover]

What do the Bessa's compare to? I hear them mentioned so often.

Russ

In what regard Russ? In function they are similar to a Leica M6. The R is a good entry level camera, and the R2 is an excellent budget choice M mount camera that stands on it's own, kinda in the neighborhood of a Nikon FM3a (without AE) as far as fit and finish go. The M6 of course is a classic machine with little compromise, except for a RF patch flair-out every once in a while.

 

[sfaust]

I just finished a couple rolls of film in my Bessa R2 last night. A real pleasure to shoot with.

The downside is trying to get any kind of selective focus with them.
Gene

I agree the DOF on the smaller P&S and digitals can be problematic. Much to my surprise, I was able to easly create the short DOF with my little (very little) Sony cybercam. I never expected that when I bought it. See the images in the gallery below, especially the Starbucks image for DOF, and the jet fighter cockpit for sharpness. (I almost got a ride in the russian jet fighter, but one was promised to be in the very near future!!! Awesome!). I am quite amazed with the capabilities and ease of use with this camera.

My Sony CyberShot P100 test photo gallery

 

[bmattock]

What do the Bessa's compare to? I hear them mentioned so often.

Russ

Russ,

The Bessa R doesn't really compare to any other camera directly - but it overlaps some. It uses the old Leica screw-mount lenses (Leica, Canon, Nikon, etc) so it is kind of a replacement for the venerable early Leica's prior to the M-series. As well, you could say it replaces the Canon removable-lens rangefinders from the 1950's and 1960's. However, it has a modern TTL exposure meter, which the older cameras either did not have, or they're all wasted by now (actually, I don't think any of the direct competition had them). You could also say that the Bessa R compares to the various Russion LTM-mount cameras as well. Again, though, with the TTL meter, it's not an exact comparison.

As well, the Bessa R has a Copal Square shutter - a pure mechanical shutter that does B to 1/2000 of a second reliably - much nicer than the older cameras (not putting them down, this is just what it is).

The Bessa R also has internal framelines for 35/50/75/90 mm lenses.

The Bessa is labeled Voigtlander, but it is actually made by Cosina, who has licensed the name. Cosina has been making behind-the-scenes cameras for other companies for a very long time, and they revived and modified their old Canon T60 design to make this new line of rangefinders (and lately, SLRs).

The Bessa R2 is just an R with a full-metal body and a Leica M-mount instead of screw-mount.

I love my Bessa R. For me, it is the best of both worlds - the vintage lenses that I prefer, with a more reliable and trustworthy body with modern TTL metering. Fantastic!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[rover]

We went for a little walk the other morning.

 

[rover]

and...

 

[Bubba]

Great explanation Bill. One thing you left out is how much fun it is to shoot with the Bessa. The ergonomics are very nice. I am completely enamored with mine. I have never held a Leica, so I don't know how the Bessa R compares. I am intentionally avoiding the possibility of touching one for fear of falling in love; my budget just can't handle that right now. If I avoid temptation, I won't get into trouble (well, at least it is a theory).

Stephen, we have a full set of those beaker mugs. They are quite the hit for our guests. They also go nicely with the test tube rack full of spices we have in our kitchen. Man, are we geeky or what.

Bubba

 

[back alley]

canon p

canon p

ok folks, please bear with me, i have a few shots of my canon p.
let me know what you think as one will go towards the book's back cover montage.

joe

 

[back alley]

2nd

2nd

🙂

 

[back alley]

3rd

3rd

p - hi contrast

 

[taffer]

Show off !

😛

3 p's and me... sigh... none. Must get one soon ! 😀

Now seriously, #2 for me. Could you crop or clone out that vertical black strip on the left ?

Bubba, nice camera, and mug 🙂

Rover, great shots, I specially like the second one, the 'excursionist' Bessa !

 

[rover]

I will vote for #2 also Joe. Very classy looking isn't she?

 

[back alley]

see! this is why i need a good editor!

i love the first one and was sure people would pick that one too.

oscar, i will need more practice to remove that big a slice, i only just today figured out how to use the clone tool for spotting.

joe

 

[nwcanonman]

Joe,
Actually I like no. 1 the best also. Very nice Canons too.
😉

 

[sfaust]

I vote #2 also. Nice camera.

Bubba, I used to go to a restaurant called the Orange County Mining company. They used to serve the drinks in old jars, and salads and such in mining tins. Great for atmosphere. Thats what I thought of when I saw your beaker. I need some for myself!

 

[bmattock]

I vote #2 also. Nice camera.

Bubba, I used to go to a restaurant called the Orange County Mining company. They used to serve the drinks in old jars, and salads and such in mining tins. Great for atmosphere. Thats what I thought of when I saw your beaker. I need some for myself!

Here's where to get such things...I used to live near Milwaukee, these guys are wild!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

http://www.sciplus.com/index.cfm

 

[Russ]

I vote #2 also. Nice camera.

Bubba, I used to go to a restaurant called the Orange County Mining company. They used to serve the drinks in old jars, and salads and such in mining tins. Great for atmosphere. Thats what I thought of when I saw your beaker. I need some for myself!

Faust

I grew up there. I lived in Silverado Canyon, when they were building the Orange County Mining Company. High School, at El Modena High. Class of 78. Remember Billie Cummings, the photo teacher?

Russ

 

[sfaust]

Class of 74 for me, but nowhere near El Modena High. I lived in Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, and prior to that in Costa Mesa. However, I did bring my dates to O.C. Mining Company for the atmosphere. Great view on the hill.

Did my photography classes in Saddleback High (Santa Ana/Costa Mesa), and Dana Point High. Now I'm on what seems to be the other side of the world in Boston.

 

[back alley]

man, that's a big camera!

 

[Doug]

Doug (Honu), a question about your 21mm finder... Does it have any bezel on the eyepiece, or are there just bare threads around it? Two others of us here have this finder, but both have simply a chrome eyepiece with threads around the outside as if there's some trim piece possibly missing. Thanks...

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Hi Doug,
It has a bezel. We'll see if I learned anything today about sizing images, I'm attaching another (watch out!).


D2 (to avoid confusion)