Hello from a Bessa Newbie...

[Bessa-ist-das]

Hi,

after having snooped around here for advice and information I have finally worked up the courage to post some pictures.

I started out photography by using Nikon DLSRs but soon dicovered the magic of film. I got myself a Nikon FM2n a year ago and made my first steps with analogue b/w. However, I was finally infected by the rangefinder virus and decided to give it a shot just to see what people kept going on about all the time...

So, in December I became the (very) proud owner of a Bessa R3A with a Nokton 50/1.5. I absolutely love both camera and lens!!! It felt so natural right from the start. I tried a M6 but for whatever strange reason I somehow felt more comfortable with the Bessa. If it feels right, it is right.

Anyways, here are just a few images made with my new love. I develop BW myself, using mainly Neopan 400, ID-11 and my Canon 8600F to scan the negatives with Vuescan (finally got that worked out, too).

So, here we go:

That one was taken spontaneously one morning during our UK christmas holiday. I caught my better half checking the weather and, as I was fiddling around with my new camera anyway, got the shot.

One of at least about 15 football fields right next to Leamington Spa's golf course. We were on a walk, it was almost dark already but I managed to handhold a shot wide open. I love the feeling of the picture...

Sort of a still life taken on a tour through a museum in Stratford. The thistles are supposed to keep visitors from sitting down on the window sill... ;-)

and one colour shot... Portra 400VC

This is a snapshot taken in a Victorian cafe in the UK. The gentleman seemed to be a regular. He'd been sitting behind me, so I estimated exposure and focus, put the camera on the table and took the shot with a cable release. I was the only shot and sometimes it is quite amazing how lucky you can get.

So maybe there will be more pictures online at some point in time. Depends on how these ones are received here...

Alright, thanks for your interest!

Cheers,
Wolfgang

 

[capitalK]

Great start. I like 1 and 3 a lot. What about the R3A did you prefer over the Leica? The viewfinder? Weight?

 

[Bessa-ist-das]

Great start. I like 1 and 3 a lot. What about the R3A did you prefer over the Leica? The viewfinder? Weight?

Thanks for the encouraging words!

The guy at the shop shoved the Leica in my hands right away... I found it hard to focus and get to terms with the viewfinder. Just couldn't get it right... Then I asked for the Bessa, lifted it up and focusing was dead easy, it felt good in my hands... Don't aks me why, it just clicked.

Basically there were no second thoughts needed. On top of that I think the Bessa is simpy great value for money.

Cheers
Wolfgang

 

[Ducky]

Love my Besa as well, never held an M but used a iiic for awhile.

 

[sweathog]

Really nice work.
The Bessas are great cameras (my experience consists of an R).
Welcome to the gang!

 

[nitrogen28]

Hi Wolfgang,

nice shots. I m just about to do the same step and get myself a Bessa too.

Do you know where I could learn to develop film myself somewhere in Vienna?
Maybe we should start a RF Club?

Greetz form Vienna. 😛

 

[capitalK]

I covet an M but I am very happy with my Bessa + ZM lens.

 

[sweathog]

Hello again Nitrogen.

You will enjoy the Bessa, it is a great camera to use.

 

[Keith]

Lovely photos and I think you are a unique person. Not many people who frequent this forum would be capable of picking up an M6, putting it down, picking up a Bessa and saying "I like the Bessa better ... I'll take it." Having not been totally seduced by the feel of the Leica makes you a little different around here. 🙂

Please stick around irrespective of whether we like your photos or not (I do) ... we need more rational individuals who can be pragmatic in their choices to set an example for the rest of us! 😛

 

[pesphoto]

welcome and nice photos. Hope you stick around and show us more.

 

[Bessa-ist-das]

Vienna

Vienna

Hi Wolfgang,

nice shots. I m just about to do the same step and get myself a Bessa too.

Hi Nitro!

Thanks for the feedback!

Like I said, haven't looked back since I bought the Bessa. I enjoy the camera so much. Also I got it used for a very fair price.

I have noticed however there seem to be QA issues with Cosina. After about a month a massive white hair-like thing (I assume it to be some kind of internal coating/sealing haveing sliced off) appeared inside the lens. It even got stuck in the aperture blades. I returned the lens to the shop and they offered to replace it with a new one. The shop owner inspected the new one before handing it to me, but he also found some residue inside the new lens. So she took out another new package from the shelf and checked it. Finally that one was ok and she handed it to me. So, only the thrid lens was of proper quality. That might be a particularly unfortunate coincidence, but it is a bit strange nevertheless.

So, before you buy, have a close look and keep your proof of purchase in a safe place ;-)

Btw. I bought mine at the Leica-Shop in Vienna. Nice people, good service and they have pretty much the complete range in stock. Also some used stuff, so you might be able to get a bargain.

Do you know where I could learn to develop film myself somewhere in Vienna?

Regarding developing your own film I suppose there are courses at the Volkshochschule, but to be honest, I'm not a great fan of that. There are plenty of resources (incl. this great forum) on the internet where you can find pretty much everything you need to know about it. At least that's the way I learnt it. In any case, nothing beats try-and-error... or "Versuch macht kluch" as we say in Germany. ;-)

Maybe we should start a RF Club?

I suppose there are many people around Vienna with Rangefinders. At least from judging how many people frequent the shop in Westbahnstrasse. 🙂 Seems every third Viennese is a Leica owner...

Personally I'm not much of a club person... Having said that I don't mind meeting up with people who share the same interests and I surely don't mind going on a little safari around town and a beer before/in between/afterwards at any time 🙂

Cheers
Wolfgang

 

[Bessa-ist-das]

Seduction

Seduction

Lovely photos and I think you are a unique person. Not many people who frequent this forum would be capable of picking up an M6, putting it down, picking up a Bessa and saying "I like the Bessa better ... I'll take it." Having not been totally seduced by the feel of the Leica makes you a little different around here. 🙂

Please stick around irrespective of whether we like your photos or not (I do) ... we need more rational individuals who can be pragmatic in their choices to set an example for the rest of us! 😛

Thanks, Keith!

I suppose at the end of the day it was a case of combining economic-downturn-induced rationale and the right feel. Whether that will save me from being seduced in the future, I don't know... We'll see, maybe there will come the day that I pick up a M-whatever and say "that's it!". Until then I shall give my Bessa a good workout. 🙂

Cheers
Wolfgang

P.S.: Thanks for your exposure chart! Very valuable, carry it with me in my camera bag all the time.
P.P.S.: Nice PX! ... never knew you get them down under... I've got a P125X from 82 in the stable ;-)