Hello All - CV Newbie Here

[Lemures-Ex]

I have been into rangefinders for quite some time now but I just purchased a Bessa R and 50mm f/2.5 Color-Skopar.

Until now I have used Soviet cameras but I wanted a new (more reliable) camera. I have had a Zorki 6 and 2 FED's all reworked by me. My poor pretty Zorki that I put so much work into finally bit the dust.

I have a Jupiter 3 50 1.5 that I love, and a Jupiter 12 35 2.8 that is also pretty good. I think I read somwhere that the 35 will not work with the Bessa due to the huge rear element. Is this true?

Either way I plan on getting a fast 35mm lens in the future. I use only the 50 and the 35 so two lenses is fine for me. At least on the rangefinder...

Any tips or hints for someone new to the Bessa?

So, hello to everyone here and I look foward to mingling with you all.

Some info on myself because I'm new and, being human, like to talk about me🙂

I'm only 20 but I have a rather varied history as far as photography goes. I started on an AE-1, like many, and graduated rather rapidly to a Canon 300D and a Bronica SQ-B. I sold those for a Zorki 6, YashicaMat 124-G, and a 4x5 view camera. I still use the Yashica on a very regular basis and am a HUGE fan of the twin lens. I now own the the same Yashica and 4x5 and a Pentax *ist DL (I can't not have a digital 🙂 ) and of course my new Bessa which should arrive shortly. I will probably sell the 4x5 soon as I am almost strictly a street shooter nowadays and it's, well... a bit obvious you could say 🙂

 

[back alley]

greetings and welcome to the forum.

the r is a great little camera, light weight & small enough to carry all day and barely notice.
i had one with the 35 & 75 (2.5's) combo. great travel light team.

 

[CameraQuest]

There are variations in the Ruskie 35/2.8. Some will mount on the Cosina Voigtlander Bessas, some will not. All will block the metering cell.

IF your Ruskie lenses focus correctly on the Bessa, count yourself lucky and enjoy them. IF not, I suggest not wasting money and time testing for a Ruskie lens which will focus correctly. Instead buy classic screw mount Leica, Canon, or Nikkor glass, or new Cosina Voigtlander if you want a sharper modern look. The CV 35/1.7 may be the fast 35 you are looking for.

as far as being 20, enjoy it while it lasts!

Stephen

 

[nwcanonman]

The "R" is a GREAT little RF!
I also have that 35mm CV lens, the Jupiter 12 50mm and the J-9 85mm (very good portrait lens).
Teamed with one of Gordy's leather wrist straps, it follows me everywhere ~ ; - )

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum Lemures-Ex! 🙂

 

[dostacos]

welcome, and I would like to add my 2 cents, you have covered the low light with the 50/1.5 and since the Bessa R-35/2.5 lens combo is only $399 [V. $379 for the 35/1.7 alone] later on if you want a wide and low light you could go for the 35/1.7 OR the 28/1.9

please let me help you spend YOUR money 😀 😱 😀 😱 😀 😱 😀

 

[taffer]

Hey welcome ! 🙂

The R is one of the best bangs for the buck out there and I personally love the two CV products I have (35/2.5 and Bessa-T).

 

[mrganderson]

Hi.

Like you ive just got myself a Bessa R. it arrived today. sadly the lense doesn't come until next week. Iv'e ordered just one lense at the moment a voitlenger 50mm but will prob go for anther soon.
I only have 5 mins to play with it before i had to set off for work but the quality and feel was impressive. a cross between a swiss watch and a German tank.
Good luck and i hope to see some of your work form your new toy

Regards Garreth

 

[robert blu]

Wellcome to the forum ! enjoy your bessa R, i have one as well with 35mm/1,7 VC which I use most of time, the heliar 12mm/5,6 in my opinion excellent but not easy to use and the 75/2,5 VC. It was for me a "try the RF" and is becoming now the one I use most (unless I have special work to, telezoom or macroetc). Post your photo, please, I like to see "fresh" ideas !

 

[sockeyed]

Congratulations! I used a Bessa R very happily for a year and just sold it a week ago (I have an R3A). It was a great camera. One small issue is that it doesn't have a lock on the shutter button, and from time to time I would accidentally fire the shutter when I put the camera in my bag. You can avoid this by simply not winding after you take a shot, but then again, you might miss the shot if your shutter's not cocked. Tough call!

 

[rbiemer]

I love my Bessa R! And the dealer I got it from is first rate--CameraQuest. I'm lucky in that the J-8 I own does focus well on mine. Had mine since early summer or late spring and while the very occasional misfire(as sockeyed mentioned) is annoying it's not a big deal. The one thing that will still surprise me is that the wind lever will not advance fully at the end of the film and will not retract until you start to re-wind. That is explained well in the manual but I some times forget about it.
Rob

 

[childers-jk]

I love my Bessa R! And the dealer I got it from is first rate--CameraQuest. I'm lucky in that the J-8 I own does focus well on mine. Had mine since early summer or late spring and while the very occasional misfire(as sockeyed mentioned) is annoying it's not a big deal. The one thing that will still surprise me is that the wind lever will not advance fully at the end of the film and will not retract until you start to re-wind. That is explained well in the manual but I some times forget about it.
Rob

I totaly agree with Rob. I love my Bessa R and J-8. It is always near me and ready to go. I too have had a few misfires, but all in all I love the camera. Enjoy yours, and look forward to seeing the results!!!

Jeff C.