Couple Questions : Buying a Bessa R2

B

bryceesquerre

Member
Local time
12:59 AM
Joined
Sep 26, 2011
Messages
17
I found a Bessa R2 in Black in good condition (so it seems) for $260 usd + shipping. Is this a good deal, or should i save a little more and get a bessa r2a? I figure this will be an inexpensive way to get a feel for rangefinders. The guy said the photo is shown being equipped with a trigger winder but he sold it on this website and it is no longer included. As far as i understand, the trigger winder is an integrated part of the camera and would not be sold right? A side grip is pictured and i think this might be what he is referring to. I am waiting for a pm back but i assume this is what he is talking about and want to possibly clear it up right now. Also, if i am going to have to wait for a while to purchase some leica glass (im probably gonna get an older screwmount elmar 50mm) , would i be able to use some of my m42 stuff in the meantime (he is including an adapter)? I have a super takumar 50mm f/1.4 , mamiya sekor 35mm f/2.8 , and a smc takumar 135mm f/3.5. would any of these work nicely with the rangefinder system (this is my first rangefinder so i'm not all too knowledgeable yet).
 
The R2 can only focus to .9 meter, while the R2a can focus to .7 meter. If you own any lenses that can focus to .7 meter, the R2a will be worth the extra money. Other than that, they're mechanically identical.
 
I presume you're looking at an R2 (discontinued) and not an R2m? There's a lot of detail on the CameraQuest website. Look here - http://cameraquest.com/voigtBR2.htm
You will note that it is trigger winder CAPABLE. That's an extra - it does not come with a trigger winder. The adaptor he is including is probably the one that allows you to fit Leica type screw mount lenses to an M mount body.

It has a mechanical shutter, not the electronic shutter of the R2a. Not a problem - it's a manual camera and so you don't get AE but you still need a battery for the TTL meter to work. Some people think mechanical is better but most people with the "A" models will tell you they've never been let down by a battery problem. I always carry a couple of spares anyway.

The R2 and subsequent models all have the Leica M mount. You can fit a number of lenses with an adaptor, particularly any Leica screw mount (LTM) lenses. I doubt you'll find a way to mount the lenses you list as they're all SLR lenses by the look of it and the flange to film plane distances don't match up and while there are a lot of adaptors to couple those to digital micro 4/3rds and 4/3 camera bodies I don't think there are many (maybe not any) that will mate them to a Leica M body.

Don't get sucked into buying a Leica lens just because it's got "Leica" on it. There are other lenses out there just as good (and some a lot worse) and a good second-hand Voigtlander (CV) lens from the RFF classifieds would be a very good first choice. There's a NEW 50/2.5 lens on the big auction site too (item # 310359829994) which is a highly sought after 50mm lens for these cameras. They're discontinued but very well thought of and in demand. I have one - it's not for sale!
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I'm steering away from the r2a at the moment because I'm really trying to minimize cost. The guy is also offering a Jupiter 9 for next to nothing which I think I might go for as it will allow me to save money for now until I pool enough funds to get myself a nice high quality lens. Some of the color skopars look pretty nice. What I am most concerned with is the price . Is this is a good deal or should I ask for less. I was told 280+shipping for the Jupiter 9 + Bessa R2 + ever ready case
 
bryceesquerre said:
Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I'm steering away from the r2a at the moment because I'm really trying to minimize cost. The guy is also offering a Jupiter 9 for next to nothing which I think I might go for as it will allow me to save money for now until I pool enough funds to get myself a nice high quality lens. Some of the color skopars look pretty nice. What I am most concerned with is the price . Is this is a good deal or should I ask for less. I was told 280+shipping for the Jupiter 9 + Bessa R2 + ever ready case
Click to expand...

Well, firstly the Jupiter 9 is an 85mm lens more suited to portraiture than general photography. So I'm not sure how much use it would be to you but they sell for about $150 plus or minus which would make the Bessa a cheap buy. But the problem with Russian lenses is that some are very good and more than some are crap. It's a bit of a lottery. I don't know what assurance the seller could give you, but you should ask, and if you decide to go ahead you might just have to take a chance and if it's a dud then throw it out or pass it on. Or it might turn out to be quite OK but not the right focal length.

A genuine Leica Elmar 50/3.5 collapsible lens from the 40's or 50's is probably going to cost you $400-$500 anyway and for that money I'd personally pay the extra and get the CV 50/2.5. It's a new lens and the design and handling are better than the old Elmar (not that it's a dog by any means).
However, the Russians made a copy of the Elmar, called the Industar 22 and they sell for $40-$60. So maybe one of those as well to give you two Russian lenses for the R2 body and if they turn out to be OK you're well ahead on costs.

If you go that route, consider buying a second LTM to M adaptor so you can have one on each lens. It's far easier to change lenses with the bayonet mount than to unscrew the LTM lens from the adaptor on the camera mount.
 
I own an R2 and had an R2a for review when they came out. If anything, I slightly prefer the R2, though I can't remember why. Meter readout, probably. The trigger winder is indeed removable: I prefer the camera with it on (faster, better balanced), while Frances prefers it with the trigger off (smaller, lighter). Close focus to 0,7 vs. 0,9 has never seemed a deal breaker to me, as close focus is not where RFs excel, and besides, with the 85/2 you'll get a fair sized image at 0.9 m.

Leigh's advice that a good second-hand Voigtlander (CV) lens from the RFF classifieds would be a very good first choice is spot-on.

Cheers,

R.
 
Last edited:
I apologize i meant to say Jupiter 8. However, in regards to the lens he says , "black export jupiter-8 with M-adapter and vented shade, it is not colimated and hence not really accurate RF-wise, well bohoo, just scale it" . As said before , i am new to rangefinders so im not too sure on what this means. But i think i would be better off just spending a little more money and getting a quality voigtlander lens. What would be the best 50mm to get (i would like it to be fast) for around 4 to 5 hundred dollars?
 
I have no problem with the Bessa R2; as a matter of fact, it's the RF I started on. Get a Canon 50mm f1.8 Serenar to go along with it. There's one on KEH right now for $159 shipped (I've been tempted to get it myself). It's better than the J8, in that you don't have to worry about FSU focusing issues (there's a long technical explanation about how FSU lenses were made to the Contax, not Leica standard). Get an LTM-M adapter and you're all set. It's really all you need in the RF world. Don't kid yourself that you need a more expensive lens. Every lens I've ever bought has exceeded my level of talent.
 
I like the sound of that, alot actually. Now i'll have money left over to upgrade my scanner (or get a light meter finally). When i get the R2 it will be between that lens and a Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 .
 
i found an olive r2 with a chrome color skopar 50mm 2.5 for 450 locally! mint as they come with all the original boxes and papers included. hold on i'll get pictures.


IMG_1379.JPG


IMG_1380.JPG


IMG_1381.JPG


IMG_1382.JPG


IMG_1383.JPG


IMG_1384.JPG



i'm going to pick it up when i get home. 450 is an excellent deal for this is it not?
 
ahhh im so excited. this whole setup is gorgeous. since i really don't have any experience with these cameras. are there any common problems that i need to look for when i check it out. i know! i can't believe how cheap this guy is letting it go. how much would you say this setup is worth?
 
As far as putting the color skopar on the r2, would any plain only lsm to m mount adapter work? I found a cheap one made by rainbow, but then i looked on cameraquest and something similiar cost 70 dollars.

http://www.rainbowimaging.biz/shop/product.php?id_product=132

http://www.rainbowimaging.biz/shop/product.php?id_product=134

http://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm


The one from cameraquest comes with an end cap? Would the end cap i'll be getting with the lens no longer work with the adapter? Does it really make sense to buy the 70 dollar one? Also which of the 2 sizes would you recommend? Does it really matter?


thanks!
 
THe one from Cameraquest comes with a cap. Any Leica M mount rear cap will work on a screw to M adapter though.

I'd get either the Voightlander ones sold by Cameraquest, or one of the ones Leica used to make. The Leica ones go for about $50-60 each used in good condition. I've got a couple of the cameraquest ones. I also have a cheap offbrand one and it is roughly made and wasn't precisely the right thickness, so focus was off. The good ones really are worth the $$$.
 
Thanks for the help! That clears things up. I might as well not cheap out. This setup is going to be beautiful, especially for my first rangefinder :p

What options do i have as far as hoods go for my lens?
 
It comes with a simple built in hood that unscrews and is probably good enough, but if you want a fancier big hood, Voigtlander makes one, but I think its expensive ($80 or so).
 
Ohh ok that should be fine. The less money i have to spend the better lol. Thanks Doug! I have a feeling this is going to be an awesome introduction into the world of rangefinders. Chris you have been very helpful with all of the knowledge you have shared with me. Thank you!
 
This deal keeps getting better and better . He was already going to include the voigtlander lsm to m mount adapter . Saves me 70 bucks! Now I can get myself a nice voigtlander lh-2 hood off photovillage for 50 bucks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom