Desire body for CV 75 Heliar

[Kevin]

I quite dislike changing lenses when I am on the move yet I have four of them which I currently share on two M6 .72 bodies. 3 are native M-mount and 1 is the CV 75/2.5 (LTM with adapter).

What really bothers me lately are the 75 framelines on the M6. I wish I had a metered body that I could marry the Heliar to. Something with great 75mm framelines!

I was thinking about a Hexar RF although I haven't been able to try one out yet.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for me please? Budget for this is around 350 Euro.

Best Regards,
Kevin

 

[back alley]

maybe an bessa r body?

 

[Talisker]

Second-hand Bessa R2 (is M mount unlike the R). Should be under budget if you can find one.

 

[Kevin]

The short base length of the bessa is not a problem for this lens?

 

[BJ Bignell]

Well, your best choices are (no specific order):
Bessa R
Bessa R2
Bessa R2a
Bessa R3a
Bessa R2M
Bessa R3M

Any questions?

 

[BJ Bignell]

No, the baselength of the Bessa is not a problem for the 75mm lens. Get an R3a, you get a longer effective baselength, 1:1 finder, and AE.

 

[rxmd]

Getting an Hexar RF for 350 EUR in Germany is going to be quite a challenge. They're being sold new for 650 to 700 EUR for the bare body, and I don't remember ever seeing any for under 450 EUR (otherwise it would be mine now 😉)

I'd recommend a Bessa. An R (which you could use without adapter) should be no problem. An R2 should be possible, too. For an R2A or R3A you'd have to be very lucky (there have been some R2As going for 400 EUR on eBay). The R3A with the larger magnification should be better in terms of focusing accuracy.

Or a T with an external finder. If you don't mind switching eyes.

Philipp

 

[Kevin]

Thanks for all these tips.

I already saw the high price of the Hexar RF. One local dealer is selling them for 595 Euro.

Are there 75 framelines on the R3a and if so, are they solid all the way around?

 

[BJ Bignell]

All Bessa R-model cameras have 35/50/75/90 framelines, except the 3a/3M, which have 40/50/75/90.

 

[back alley]

if you plan on keeping this body for only the 75 then the bessa r is the cheapest choice.

 

[BJ Bignell]

If you have three M-mount lenses, I would suggest that you don't get the R. It's the cheapest, but if you get an R-model with the M-mount, then you can switch lenses around a little bit (and you already have the LTM->M adapter anyways, right?).

Personally, I'd save for another month or two, and then get the R3a.

 

[rxmd]

No, the 75 framelines on the Bessa aren't "all the way round":

(from the Cameraquest site)

Philipp

 

[Kevin]

Great japanese diagram !

The 75 framelines on the R3A are like the 90 framelines on the M6 !

Are there 1.25 or 1.35 magnifiers for the R3A as well?

That might be a good choice after all if I could enlarge the viewfinder a bit.

 

[troym]

I use the 75 Heliar with an R3A. It's a great combination because the 75 frames are a little bigger than they are on the R/R2/R2a. The 1:1 finder is a nice plus, too.

 

[Kevin]

With a 1:1 finder and the 75mm I wouldn't really need a viewfinder magnifier then?

 

[danielnorton]

I'll also cast my vote for the r3a with the CV 75, this is pretty much my standard portrait set up and I've been very happy with it.

 

[Burkey]

I agree with Daniel. I have an R3A, a 40mm Nokton and the 75 Heliar and they make a very useful set. Good luck.

 

[jmilkins]

as per above - R3a - great 75 frames, m mount, etc etc - its the way I've gone. Of course, you'll need a nice little 40 in the future😉

 

[Nando]

What about a Bessa-T with the external 1:1 finder. Cameraquest sells the silver body T for $200 and the vf is $128. This combo is about half the price of an R3A. With the 1.5x rangefinder, focusing the 75 accurately is very easy. The external 1:1 vf is extremely bright. It has an M-bayonet mount so you can attach you other lenses if needed and if you get into wide-angle lenses then you have the perfect body for them.

The only problem with the T is that you have to use an external vf. I have external vf's for all my lenses except for my 135 Hektor but I got me a Leitz VIOOH multfinder and recently a TEWE 35-200mm zoom-finder that come in handy whenever I don't feel like changing vf's when changing lenses.

 

[Kevin]

I've had my eye on the 40 Nokton for a while. To be honest tho I am quite happy with the performance of the lens on my Canonet.

Based on your recommendations I am going to consider the R3A and see if I can get one within my budget. I'd love to have one in army green but that color doesn't exist on that model, correct?

Wish me luck.