Canon 1.2 on a Silver Bessa-T?

[Daniel Unkefer]

Hi All,

I've been toying with the idea of buying one more Bessa body from Mr. Gandy, especially since he has free shipping for a few more days. I already have two black Bessa-L's (my wife likes using them) which work great with the VC12, VC21, and VC25. I also have two black Bessa-R's, on which I park my 1.5 Nokton, 1.7 Ultron, 2.5 Heliar, etc.

Now I have a Canon 1.2 for -really- low light shooting and different "signature", and I am thinking of adding a silver Bessa-T, since they are only $185 new. I already have the VC finders that I use with the other bodies. I have side grips on each body (I like those very much) but I think I will add the Bessa Winder to the Bessa-T body.

I have just ordered an M adapter from a guy in Iowa on ebay, so that is coming. I have a few days to make my final decision while the free shipping is in effect. Alternatives I have considered are the R3A, or the M2(early)/M5, which would be very expensive compared to the Bessa.

What do you guys think? How are your T's holding up??

 

[roundg]

T is too light weighted when with a big lens. It even poorly balanced with my 50 summicrin coll.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

I suppose I should mention that I had an early M2 (no selftimer, button rewind) that I hated to sell twenty years ago. When I see the same thing on ebay, it is -really- tempting.

-Dan, my M2 developed a shutter problem, and I needed money at the time. Always regretted selling it🙁

 

[raid]

Dan,

I have used my Canon 50/1.2 many times [successfully] with a Bessa T. It is easy to do. Go for it. The camera's magnified rangefinder makes it a snap to accurately focus with fast lenses. I have used the T for all of my lens tests of 50mm lenses and also 85mm~105mm lenses.


Raid

 

[raid]

I was once given a tip for this situation, Roland. First, use the external viewfinder to get the right framing, and then focus. Then take the photo. It is much better this way.

Raid

 

[anabasis]

I had good luck focusing my Nokton 35 f1.2 on my T. All of the images on my first roll were tack sharp, and most were shot wide open. All this from a RF newbie.

JCA

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Thanks all for your excellent advise.

Stephen G emailed me today and is getting a shipment of black Bessa-T's, priced at $299 sometime next week. After alot of cogitation and reading all over the internet, I have decided to go for one.

The clinchers-

I am perfectly happy with my two black L's and two black R's. This telephoto rangefinder body will be perfectly matched to my other CV cameras. I have decided to stick with new Voigtlander, versus buying a 50-60 yr old classic and having it rebuilt.

My wife really likes -her- L. She knows nothing about photography, dosen't really want to learn, but is comfortable with her camera, and gets good results from it. The T is essentially an L with a rangefinder, so she can use this body, without the rangefinder becoming an issue, for her. She will be just as comfortable with the T as with her L, so that is what we will go for.

 

[pbjbike]

The balance of the Bessa T with bigger lenses, (like the Canon 50mm f/1.2), is vastly improved with the addition of the trigger winder. I used that combo with the same lens and a 90 cron, and it feels just right.

Cheers

 

[Trius]

The T with wides doesn't seem to make as much sense to me as the L. I know the issue of switching from rangefinder window to viewfinder on the T makes shooting more deliberate, but if you limit the T to wides, Roland, then why pay the extra for the rangefinder on the T?

FWIW, I find the T in black and a well-designed finder to be a dead sexy looking rig. I was thinking about it and getting the OM-M adapter so as to use my Zuiko 21/2 on it. I would go for the L, but I don't know of a commercially made OM/LTM adapter. I have both 21 and 35 finders I could use on either body.

 

[BillBingham2]

Roland is right that there are some cases where the external viewfinder might be the best, but the T with a winder is a great camera. I look at it as a great second camera that can do the duty of a primary camera if needed. It is almost as light as a L and has the great external meter indication.

I am switching over to my M6 as my main camera and taking my T as my 25mm rear lens cap and second body. I like the idea of a T because I can use any of my M lenses on her.

I think the T is the only Bessa that has a long enough rangefinder base length to focus a 50/1.2.

B2 (;->

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

I just sent $319 to Stephen Gandy for a black Bessa-T.😛 He has 'em coming in next week, not that many left, according to his email.

Village Photo has -one- new black Bessa-T left, at $285 (no batteries).

Maybe these are the last in the world that are truly new:angel: