Does anyone have a Bessa II in Central Ohio?

[williaty]

I've taken a fancy to the idea of a Bessa II as my second rangefinder but I have a hell of a hard time seeing through many cameras. Is there anyone in central Ohio that has a Bessa II and would allow me to get together with you for a little bit to look through your camera and confirm it'll work with my eyes before I try to buy one?


Thanks!

 

[CMur12]

Sorry, I'm not in Ohio, so I can't provide you a camera to look through.

I had a Bessa II years ago and it was a lovely camera. Unfortunately, the viewfinder was a very squinty, tiny round window with a metal ring around it. I was willing to put up with this and I could see everything in the finder, as long as I didn't have to wear glasses to do it. As I became more dependent upon glasses, it became impossible to see more than a tiny central part of the finder, so I gave up and sold it.

- Murray

 

[jgrainger]

Sorry I'm not from Ohio either..

I used to have a Bessa II with the Colour Skopar, and don't regret selling it, unlike some other cameras.. I think the shop still has it for sale too :s

I'd be interested to know what draws you to that model?

The viewfinder was definitely one of the most squinty I've used.. it looks very squinty then you put your eye to it, and it's alright after you accept it for what it is.. pretty squinty. I was in my mid 20's at the time, it was one of those cameras which was very difficult to pass to anyone to take a picture with myself in it because most people either didn't understand how to use it, or couldn't see through it.

 

[CameraQuest]

I've taken a fancy to the idea of a Bessa II as my second rangefinder but I have a hell of a hard time seeing through many cameras. Is there anyone in central Ohio that has a Bessa II and would allow me to get together with you for a little bit to look through your camera and confirm it'll work with my eyes before I try to buy one?


Thanks!

the Bessa II has a typically 1950's squinty viewfinder. OK if without glasses, irritating with glasses.

You will be much happier with the great viewfinders on the Bessa 667 or Bessa 667W.

 

[Larry H-L]

If you are in the Columbus area, you might call World of Used Photography, 614-824-5047, 1043 W. Third St., in the Grandview area. They have a ton of old gear but don't list it on their website. They might have one.

 

[Tim Gray]

Igor Camera might have one. i don't know if they have a store front, but you might be able to make an appointment. They are somewhere in the Cleveland area.

 

[Nokton48]

Then there is always Midwest Photo Exchange. It's a long shot but they might have one, you never know.

 

[williaty]

I'm looking at the Bessa II because I want a 6x9 camera. 6x7 just is awkward for me.


MPEX definitely seems to try not to have this age of camera gear at all and the prices on used gear are just stupid anyway. World of Used Photography is an awesome shop that receives faaaaar too much of my money but they haven't had a Bessa II in the last year at least.

 

[sepiareverb]

One with free shipping & a decent return policy from eBay might be cheaper and faster than getting to one by car.