Downgrade from Leica to Bessa-L?

[jamais]

Before you sell off the Leica M, buy a Bessa L and try it out. They aren't very costly. Then make an informed decision for yourself.

If it were me, I'd use the Bessa L (or Leica CL) as a dedicated body for the 25 (I have the 21), use the M4 as a dedicated body for the 35 Nokton, and the SLR for any longer lenses.

Sell the CV75 for funds to buy the L and a bunch of b+w film.

I think your suggestion is very reasonable. The 75 is definitely for sale and the M4-P I will keep forever anyway (at least for decorational purposes) 🙂

My latest idea is buying an L (or T) for the 25 and a C Sonnar for the M4-P. Maybe that would move me from gear talk back to photography.

 

[traveler_101]

OK, maybe I shall give the L a try. Just another question regarding the T: Is the T made of the same build quality as the L? As I can see, the T is considerably more expensive. There are currently two offers that I know of. Both T copies cost EUR 290 each which is 3 times the price of an L.

I have the T; it's more expensive than the L because it has a rangefinder, while the L doesn't. I use mine largely with a 35mm Color Skopar. The Skopar is good; I tried a 35/1.4 Nokton but I don't like the images as much and it makes the kit heavier. I got an old Soviet FED finder for $20. That looks really cool; it's a quality kit and doesn't feel "cheap" to me; I would say rugged and basic. I experience it very much as GB Hill experiences his L. Note the useful external meter . . . exactly as on the T:

I have a Bessa L w 25/4. It's lightweight, a + . . .The L has the lights on the rear instead of thru the lens which is for me less distracting. The camera doesn't feel cheap to me & is sturdier than one might think. . . . ..

. . . The 75 is definitely for sale and the M4-P I will keep forever anyway (at least for decorational purposes) 🙂

My latest idea is buying an L (or T) for the 25 and a C Sonnar for the M4-P. Maybe that would move me from gear talk back to photography.

The L and the 25 Snapshot Skopar is a nice kit. I really like the zone focusing; takes a little getting use to but is really fun to use. The advantage of the T is that you could later try a 35 with it if you wanted. Another advantage of the T is that it is M mount so you can use any M or LTM lens on it. Of course not having a finder means that each and every FL requires acquiring an auxiliary finder, which begins to eat away at the cost advantage. Anyway, since you are keeping your M4 in reserve you have plenty of options.

 

[gb hill]

OK, maybe I shall give the L a try. Just another question regarding the T: Is the T made of the same build quality as the L? As I can see, the T is considerably more expensive. There are currently two offers that I know of. Both T copies cost EUR 290 each which is 3 times the price of an L.

Don't own a T but have handled a Bessa R2a & the R2a has a better build quality than a R & L. I'm almost sure the T is the same build quality as the later M mount Bessa's. I'd still go for the L if I was you. A great little camera.

 

[ruby.monkey]

The T feels a lot like an L to me - same plastic top and bottom plates, same rather loose-feeling wind-on lever, same flimsy-looking rewind set-up, same plastic rear door.

But it works reliably, it has a very useful rangefinder and well-placed meter indicators, it's light and comfortable to carry around all day, and it looks attractive in a no-nonsense sort of a way; and you get a pretty flexible camera for not too much money.


bessat by ruby.monkey, on Flickr

 

[gb hill]

thanks for clarifying the T's build quality. The T's rangefinder is useless on the 25/4 ltm because there is no cam on the lens to move the rf's arm. Another reason to get the L.

 

[ruby.monkey]

True (I have the Snapshot-Skopar on an MDa). It does make the camera more versatile if it's not going to be dedicated to such a lens, and the R/F mechanism doesn't add anything to the body's size (and not much to its cost) - plus it's M-mount, so there's a little extra freedom of lens choice.

For the original poster an L seems the best fit; but the T is still a worthwhile option.