splash_fr
Member
Hi all.
I usually shoot digital, but recently started to explore the analog world with an old Spotmatic and a bag of Takumars. Since then I'm in love with film, have fun developing b/w negs etc.
Now I'm really intrigued by rangefinders for wide-angle and street work.
I've found a good offer for a new bessa r4a with an new Zeiss 35 2.8 biogon (both with warranty) that I'd like to have some opinions on.
Is it an sensible start to rangefinders in general or is there anything I should be aware of concerning this combination?
Like its not a good lens, or it's not a good fit for the r4a for whatever reason?
I liked it because it felt wonderful to handle and because I like 35 on my Spotmatic. I plan to get a wider lens in the future like 28 or better 21/24 (and a 50 if funds allow). I don't plan to go tele.
rgds...
I usually shoot digital, but recently started to explore the analog world with an old Spotmatic and a bag of Takumars. Since then I'm in love with film, have fun developing b/w negs etc.
Now I'm really intrigued by rangefinders for wide-angle and street work.
I've found a good offer for a new bessa r4a with an new Zeiss 35 2.8 biogon (both with warranty) that I'd like to have some opinions on.
Is it an sensible start to rangefinders in general or is there anything I should be aware of concerning this combination?
Like its not a good lens, or it's not a good fit for the r4a for whatever reason?
I liked it because it felt wonderful to handle and because I like 35 on my Spotmatic. I plan to get a wider lens in the future like 28 or better 21/24 (and a 50 if funds allow). I don't plan to go tele.
rgds...
Rodchenko
Olympian
If you're not planning to go tele, then sounds just fine. Some people are a bit sniffy about the Bessas, but, while they ain't Leicas, they're well thought out, and perform well. R4a gives you the aperture priority option, which can make street shooting faster. And the Biogon 2.8 is a lens I'd be happy to live with (I don't have a camera it would fit atm).
If the camera and lens are in good condition, get out shooting and enjoy it!
If the camera and lens are in good condition, get out shooting and enjoy it!
dbarnes
Well-known
Or if you're a multi-body shooter, for the same investment (or less) you probably could find two Bessa R bodies and the very sharp CV 35/2.5 and 21/4 lenses.
Very similar handling. No auto-exposure, however.
YMMV.
Very similar handling. No auto-exposure, however.
YMMV.
Takkun
Ian M.
I can vouch for the CV 35 Skopar. I got mine as a kit with the R years ago, and it's definitely a keeper.
ssmc
Well-known
I can't comment on the Bessa but I had the ZM 35/2.8 Biogon for a while. It's exceptionally sharp and distortion-free, but has noticeable light falloff even at f/8 (depending on subject matter) and is very contrasty (I read somewhere that it's actually the highest contrast lens in the ZM range, or was at the time). Personally I found the combination of light falloff and contrast a bit harsh, especially using Tri-X with an orange filter, which is what I preferred to shoot in my film SLRs (either that or HP5+). However I did love the sharpness, compact size and handling, and the high contrast worked great on dull days. It totally depends on what "look" you are after and what you like to shoot. For "gritty" street shots I imagine it would be excellent 
Here are some of galleries I shot with this lens so you can see how it renders:
http://www.pbase.com/smcleod965/m6ttl&page=all
Landscapes and random stuff.
http://www.pbase.com/smcleod965/grand_teton_bw&page=all
57690030-32 are good examples of how the contrast can help - it was stormy and the light was extremely flat but there is plenty of pop and much better separation in the mid-tones than I expected to see when I shot these.
http://www.pbase.com/smcleod965/filter_test
Unfiltered plus Hoya (G) and B+W 040.
Good luck and have fun!
Scott
Here are some of galleries I shot with this lens so you can see how it renders:
http://www.pbase.com/smcleod965/m6ttl&page=all
Landscapes and random stuff.
http://www.pbase.com/smcleod965/grand_teton_bw&page=all
57690030-32 are good examples of how the contrast can help - it was stormy and the light was extremely flat but there is plenty of pop and much better separation in the mid-tones than I expected to see when I shot these.
http://www.pbase.com/smcleod965/filter_test
Unfiltered plus Hoya (G) and B+W 040.
Good luck and have fun!
Scott
markrich
Enthusiatic amatuer
R2a here with 35mm 1.4 classic. The bessa is one of the best cameras I have. It was my first modern rangefinder and since then have adopted it as my form factor of choice. You will love it.
splash_fr
Member
You, sirs, are incredibly helpful. Thanks a ton!
Especially the filter comparison was very interesting, thanks for that.
Especially the filter comparison was very interesting, thanks for that.
mfogiel
Veteran
There are a couple of considerations to make:
1- if you like the Takumars and B&W film, go for medium contrast lenses, not Zeiss ZM or Leica asphericals ( only C Sonnar 50 is an exception )
- while SLR's are great from 50mm up, the RF's are great from 50mm down, so I would primarily look for a RF body that fits great with 28 and 35mm lenses. There are 3 bodies you can consider:
Leica MP,M7,M6 with an 0.58x VF, Zeiss Ikon ZM, and Hexar RF. I would skip the last one, as they will be increasingly difficult to fix. Look around, if you find a ZI or Leica within your budget, the Bessa R4x has TOO SMALL 35mm frames to be taken seriously for this FL. As an alternative, buy the R4A and a 28mm lens, and afterwards look for a 35mm body and lens, and there the choices widen considedrably. You could even opt for one of the 40mm fixed lens RF's from Yashica, Olympus, Canon or Minolta at the beginning - a 28/40 combo for the street works very well.
Best lenses for B&W in 28 and 35mm range:
28mm: Ultron 28/1.9 ASPH (with adapter), Elmarit 28/2.8 (4th), Summicron 28/2, or if you are ok with something a bit slower, Skopar 28/3.5 (with adapter).
35mm: any Summicron and Summilux non ASPH, Summarit 35/2.5, Summaron 35/2.8, Hexanon 35/2, Nokton 35/1.2, Ultron 35/1.7 ASPH ( with adapter). There are also some older Canon and Nikkor lenses, less sharp, but with nice rendering.
Summaron 35/2.8
20097801 by mfogiel, on Flickr
1- if you like the Takumars and B&W film, go for medium contrast lenses, not Zeiss ZM or Leica asphericals ( only C Sonnar 50 is an exception )
- while SLR's are great from 50mm up, the RF's are great from 50mm down, so I would primarily look for a RF body that fits great with 28 and 35mm lenses. There are 3 bodies you can consider:
Leica MP,M7,M6 with an 0.58x VF, Zeiss Ikon ZM, and Hexar RF. I would skip the last one, as they will be increasingly difficult to fix. Look around, if you find a ZI or Leica within your budget, the Bessa R4x has TOO SMALL 35mm frames to be taken seriously for this FL. As an alternative, buy the R4A and a 28mm lens, and afterwards look for a 35mm body and lens, and there the choices widen considedrably. You could even opt for one of the 40mm fixed lens RF's from Yashica, Olympus, Canon or Minolta at the beginning - a 28/40 combo for the street works very well.
Best lenses for B&W in 28 and 35mm range:
28mm: Ultron 28/1.9 ASPH (with adapter), Elmarit 28/2.8 (4th), Summicron 28/2, or if you are ok with something a bit slower, Skopar 28/3.5 (with adapter).
35mm: any Summicron and Summilux non ASPH, Summarit 35/2.5, Summaron 35/2.8, Hexanon 35/2, Nokton 35/1.2, Ultron 35/1.7 ASPH ( with adapter). There are also some older Canon and Nikkor lenses, less sharp, but with nice rendering.
Summaron 35/2.8
20097801 by mfogiel, on Flickr
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
You can't go wrong with Zeiss and Bessa. A models gives opportunity for fastest RF street photography it terms of accurate exposure.
Read review of camera on cameraquest.com
If you want to use 35mm and wider it is #1 camera in the world.
Read review of camera on cameraquest.com
If you want to use 35mm and wider it is #1 camera in the world.
csxcnj
Well-known
I have the R4a and Biogon 35/2 ZM and am very happy with that set up. The meters on the Bessa's are very nice and the camera gets pretty intuitive to use very quickly.
If you'd like to save money on lenses pick up one of the many CV 35's. I have the 35/2.5 Colar Scopar MC LTM and the 35/1.7 Ultron LTM and like the results. I don't think I'm as analytical as a lot of folks here when it comes to lenses so others might disagree with that.
cheers, Bob
If you'd like to save money on lenses pick up one of the many CV 35's. I have the 35/2.5 Colar Scopar MC LTM and the 35/1.7 Ultron LTM and like the results. I don't think I'm as analytical as a lot of folks here when it comes to lenses so others might disagree with that.
cheers, Bob