Considering a Bessa R2...

[bucs]

Hi all!!

Am considering to get a VC Bessa R2 non A/M model as my main rf workhorse.

How does it respond to regular but non abusive use? 😀

These cameras are maybe more than 10 years old now and the body i am getting looks well used judging from the worn paint. What should i check?

I hope these cameras last another decade because they are bang for the buck! 🙂

Thanks everyone!

Nathan

 

[Spider67]

I got mine 8 years ago third hand and it's still working very well. I hope you get it at a good price!

 

[bucs]

I got mine 8 years ago third hand and it's still working very well. I hope you get it at a good price!

Now that you mention it, how much should i expect to pay? Im getting mine a lot cheaper than those listed on ebay. Maybe 250 tops

 

[Pete B]

I bought a mint one 2 weeks ago, to complete my lightweight trekking kit. I already have the R4A. The R2 feels just as robust and well sorted, and I'm sure it will last as long as any other electronically shuttered camera. I perhaps paid over the odds for mine as it is mint condition, as new. I paid £250.
Pete

 

[ninjin]

I have had mine since the spring of 2012 and I love it. Built like a brick
and gets the job done. As a price point, mine was nearly spotless back when
I bought it for ~30,000 JPY (~250 USD). Also, what is this talk about an
electronic shutter? Last time I checked the only electronics on the R2 was
the meter.

 

[Chrisrw]

I had one for two years and loved it. After selling it for an M5 I recently bought a new one and sold the M5. I hope to use it for many years. It's light weight but with a solid feel to it.

 

[Pherdinand]

my R3 body also looks well used, but it's functioning as new...
I think the paint job is a bit week on them, scuffs/scratches easily

 

[presspass]

I have had an R2 since they came out. Mine works flawlessly, although it only sees a couple dozen rolls of film a year. Put a base winder on it; that improves the operating speed and feel of the camera.

 

[bucs]

I bought one already! 🙂

Can't wait to use it!

 

[ray*j*gun]

I never had an R but I had an R2S as well as a T which I still have and they were excellent users!! I especially love the T which for me is the best M mount value in the universe.

 

[awbphotog]

If you still don't have enough user testimony to convince you, I say go for it. The Bessa line of cameras (hell, even the original 6x9's) are immensely good value. I'm definitely of the school of thought that buying the best and not having to buy again is the smarter way to go, but my Bessa R has served me without fail for about 3 years now. It's taken falls, bumps, knocks, and inclimate weather in stride and has yet to give me any reason to get rid of it. The R2 can only build on this good review, as the construction is much more solid. The viewfinder pampers you, the controls are where they should be, and most of all it gets out of the way when shooting...just be careful of burning through film - which this camera will more than likely beg you to do.

Good luck with the camera purchase, and have fun.

Andy