From DSLR to SLR to Rangefinder

[nitrogen28]

Hi,

I m new to this nice place because I discovered the pleasuere of shooting with film lately. I started of shooting pictures about 10 months ago with a Oly 510 with the DZ kit. After about 5000 pictures I realised that its not about the pixel porn or technical perfect shot. So I got myself a Praktica Super TL with the 50mm 1.8. I m still shooting my first films but I really enjoy how I approach my shots but sometims it just to heavy and the Viewfinder isn t really nice.
Now to the point!
I can get a Bessa R and the 75 2.5 for about 300 €. Almost mint conditions. I can only afford spending 300 € right now and I m really into portrait.
Do you think it is a good deal? Should I look for something else? Can you recomend me something else for my start into the Rangefinder world?

 

[feenej]

The Bessa R, and a Cosina Voigtlander 75mm Color Heliar lens would be a good way for you to go for portraits, especially if you add a standard lens later on for general photography. You might be able to stay under your cost point if you buy used.

 

[Prosaic]

Yes, should work well for portraits. However, a longer lens for the Praktica should work just as well.

 

[imush]

If possible, I would wait, save and later go for R2M or R3M (or the R2A/R3A, depending on your preferred focal lengths and whether you wear glasses). These are of improved quality compared to R, and are sold brand new for about $550 here in New York.

If I remember correctly, Practicas use the old Pentax M42 mount, a range of great old Takumar lenses are available on used market. And for 300€ you can probably get 2 or 3 of them of different length.

Also, Pentax Spotmatics can be found cheap and last well, if you ever need a replacement body. So while you wait/decide on the rangefinder, you could do well with the SLR. For still portraits, it will work just as well.

I have both Pentax Spotmatic with a bunch of lenses and Bessa R2M, although I must admit my Pentax is very much neglected lately.

 

[pvdhaar]

If possible, I would wait, save and later go for R2M or R3M (or the R2A/R3A, depending on your preferred focal lengths and whether you wear glasses). These are of improved quality compared to R, and are sold brand new for about $550 here in New York.

The Bessa-R and a 75/2.5 are a splendid way to get into RF portrait photography. You'll take the same pictures with an R that you'll take with an R2/R3..

Waiting for the additional money to get an R2/R3 somewhere in the future doesn't make sense to me. A camera that you buy in the future doesn't take pictures today. But on top of that, not only are the R2/R3 more expensive by themselves, you'll also have to factor in the purchase of the required M-LTM adapters to put LTM lenses such the 75/2.5 on the R2/R3.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

The Bessa R and 75 are a good combo. Just realize that RF's are very different than SLRs for shooting portraits. First, framing accuracy is not as good as an SLR. Secondly, and the reason I usually switch to an SLR for portraits, is that you can't see the effect of DOF with a rangefinder, which is important to me when I am shooting people. YMMV.