CV Cameras and lenses - comments and observation

Krosya

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Just some random thoughts.
1. Having used a couple of Bessa R cameras, one R2M and one R3M - I'm not really sure if shutter noise is different. Common thinking is that later Bessas have less noisy shutters. In my experience - I just dont hear it to say for sure. Maybe a little, but not really enough difference, IMO. Therefore - is there some REAL info from Cosina or someone else that these cameras do have different/less loud shutters? Or it it all just made up for one reason or another?

2. I happened to come across some info online, including some old threads that there were 2 different versions of CV Nokton 40/1.4. Not just MC vs SC. But rather a first series that had some mechanical problems and laters ones - that supposedly had those problems fixed? Something about wobbly lenses? Is that true? Can anyone confirm for sure? And if this is so - how can one tell which lens is which? Is there a serial number that starts a "new" fixed series?

3. This one more of a side note - it's interesting to see how new Nokton 50/1.1 keeps dropping in price, often seen at less that $800 for a slightly used ones. Meanwhile, it's cousin, Nokton 50/1.5 is quietly getting up in price - used easily go for $400 and up and new at CQ are now sold for $499.

EDIT: 4. IS there a difference between the Original 250 Jahre Bessas R3M vs later ones R3Ms, other than writings? If not - why does one cost more than the other? Collectors item?
 
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re #1: The common wisdom in this forum (and others) seems to be that there is a shutter noise difference between the Bessa R and the newer models (R2M, R3M, R4M). Therefore, it should be perfectly OK if you cannot make out any difference between an R2M and an R3M.

My Bessa R was really loud, it reached SLR-level in my opinion. I recently switched to a Zeiss Ikon, which has a far less intrusive noise. It probably does not even have a lower peak level, but it is shorter and more damped in the high frequencies.
 
Maybe I didnt make myself clear in the original post re1. - to me they all - Original Bessa R as well as later/newer ones - R2M/3M sound about the same. As if they have the same shutter. Do they?
 
Ah, sorry, I misunderstood you then.

Well, I don't really know if they have the same shutter. I've read somewhere on here that they do, but that some effort towards damping the sound is supposed to have gone into the newer models. Apparently not to much avail?

Unfortunately, I only own the older Bessa R, so I cannot make the comparison myself.
 
The creeping price increase of the Nokton 50/1.5 is understandable for a couple of reasons.

First, even with current price increase, the 50/1.5 is still less expensive than the new Nokton 50/1.1 and still every bit as good as it always was. Very much the budget-minded alternative to the Summilux ASPH for those wanting a modern, fast, general purpose lens.

Second, lenses faster than f1.4 are specialized items. Depth of field gets mighty thin out there. To afficionados, such DOF is the very point of being fast, but for general use, thin DOF often translates into being difficult to focus. Certainly, one can stop down the faster lens, but if such speed can't often be used, there's little reason to carry the bigger lens.
 
On #2, I dont think there are 2 different versions of the 40f1.4 (apart from the SC.MC). All that I have seen have been the same. I have never seen any problem with wobbly mounts either. I have two early ones, one SC,one MC and they have seen a fair bit of use as my "walk-about" lenses on M2's. Still one of the great bargains too.
As for prices of the Nokton 50f1.5 - it is out of production and thus "scarcity" looms ahead. It is still one of the best medium speed 50's you can find - and at 1/6 of the cost of a 50f1.4 Asph - you cant go wrong.
I have it in LTM and in Nikon Rf mount and i still think that it is outstanding - at any price! I have tested (ie. shot with them) against the Millennium Nikkor 50f1.4 and the 50f1.4 Asph - and the difference is minimal in most cases. The Nokton exhibits less flare than the Summilux.The Millennium Nikkor is on par with the Nokton in this aspect.
Where the Asph Lux wins is close-up performance - the floating element makes a difference there.
 
I'm sure there's something to the shutter noise issue, but I don't think it has to do with the minute differences between the various mechanical Bessa models.

I've found that the attached lens has a profound influence on the shutter sound. The Bessa goes from a high pitched 'tzing' when a tiny collapsible FED is mounted to a more decided 'click' with a more massive Hexanon in place. And that's for speeds faster than 1/30th.

Below 1/30th, the sound of the slow speed gears adds to the mix.. It'll be absent on the battery powered models (r2a/r3a/r4a).
 
On #2, I dont think there are 2 different versions of the 40f1.4 (apart from the SC.MC). All that I have seen have been the same.

Not wanting to disagree with someone who knows Voiglander products better than anyone, I respectfully must disagree with Tom on this one. The first batch did contain a number of examples with stiff and uneven focus. To Cosinas credit however it made sure the second batch and onwards were corrected. The way to spot the difference is looking at the cam at the rear of the lens. The Type 1 has screws on the cam itself, the type 2 does not. Here is quick comparison photo. It should be said however not every Type 1 had/has focusing problems as many users reported them fine. I returned the Type 1 I had because the focusing was inconsistent through its focus sweep and the front of the lens began to loosen and wobble. A replacement from the 2nd batch was perfect. Both were MC lenses.

Woops I just noticed Tom has already seen an older thread on this matter I will leave my post up anyway so the photo is available in this thread too
 

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I never thought of my R4A as loud until two weeks ago when somebody took offence at my picture taking activities. He heard the shutter from 15 feet away while we were standing on 42nd street in Manhattan with mid-morning traffic going by. Nobody else has ever looked at the camera even in fairly quite spaces - loud shutter? good ears? chance? I didn't press the issue and walked away.
 
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