Hello, newbie here

[nico]

Hello,
today I received my first rangefinder camera (Bessa R and Nokton 50) bought from a RFF member.
I've always shot with Srl camera until I tried my fathers' old Voigt. Vitoret. I found it much more funny than the automatic srl I was using. So I started looking for a new Voigtlander .
It has been very difficult for me, as a beginner used to Af and zoom 28/80, to chose one camera (priority or not priority ...that's the problem) and just one lens (35? 50? 40? ...or ...why not ...28?) 😕 .
Well, I have to say that, all you guys, helped me to make up my mind about the set I have to buy. I read very useful threads about metering, composing, etc.
I think that RFF is real great place where is always possible , for a newbie like me, to learn something new. I'm really thankful 🙂 !
Now, I shot half the roll I put this morning in my new Bessa, I hope I'll be able to shot something decent to share with you...I'll wait on your comments, critics and suggestions to improve my skills.
See you round here,
bye
Nico

 

[boarini2003]

The bessa is a very cool camera. Have fun with it!

 

[ErnestoJL]

Welcome!
Now you´ll start to enjoy photography in the old fashion, which I found to be exciting as nothing else.
Being an SLR shooter for many years, the RFs gave me the opportunity to go back to the roots so as to rise again some skills the SLRs (allways manual) almost killed.

Have fun with the Bessa!!

Ernesto

 

[JeffGreene]

Welcome Nico! Enjoy your new Bessa. I look forward to seeing some output soon!

 

[BillBingham2]

Nico,

Welcome.

I often walk with a body and a lens (most often a Bessa L and a CV 25/4), but of a switch but I find it liberating in a way. Makes me think about what I am shooting, how to make it fit. While I use PHD cameras (only digital these days), I love the control.

There are lots of thoughts on a great kit. If you start with the 50, you might look to a 25 as a next lens. Two lens kit, small, pocketable. The R is great with a 75/2.5, but it's too close to your 50 to be worth it.

Welcome to the wonderful world of fun creativity.

B2 (;->

 

[nico]

Thanks all guys,
I shot some photos yesterday and I admit that's a very nice feeling handling this kit; I like having control on the camera.
I'd like to buy a wider lens ( I think I'll spend the following six or seven months struggling among bessa l+ 25 or ultron 28 or 35 pancake I .... ) but i need to practice with the nokton for a while!
Bye
Nico

 

[Fred]

Welcome 🙂

I have a Bessa R around with me most days using a 35 Ultron and 75 F2.5 for a lightweight kit. Fits the bill for most applications. Sometimes I feel adding a 50 would be good.

A note on the 28 Ultron, you may want to consider an external VF as although the Bessas VF full field of view is 'roughly' 28mm the size of the Ultron will intrude a lot. The 28 Skopar f3.5 although slower might be worth considering as it is really small and light but very sharp. It is a contrasty lens though.

 

[nico]

Welcome 🙂

I have a Bessa R around with me most days using a 35 Ultron and 75 F2.5 for a lightweight kit. Fits the bill for most applications. Sometimes I feel adding a 50 would be good.

A note on the 28 Ultron, you may want to consider an external VF as although the Bessas VF full field of view is 'roughly' 28mm the size of the Ultron will intrude a lot. The 28 Skopar f3.5 although slower might be worth considering as it is really small and light but very sharp. It is a contrasty lens though.

Hi Tony*, 🙂
thanks for your note, it's interesting and I must admit I didn't consider the purchase of an external viewfinder for the 28mm because I read in various thread - as you wrote - that the Bessas VF full field of view is about 28mm. I'm excited by fast lenses (the lens I had on my srl was a 28/80 3,5-5,6 and many times I wish I had a faster lens to avoid flash use...) so don't really mind about the "size" of the lens.. even though the 35 pancake I is so thick ... 🙄 soo thick!
bye
Nico



* I had to correct my post ... I was posting for your beatiful cat!! 😀
by the way, what does moggielomaniac mean?
Bye
N.

 

[wrenhunter]

Nico, congratulations. I just got a Nokton 50 myself and have shots coming back from the lab today (hopefully). The 35 Skopar is a great, compact, inexpensive "wide" if you don't need it to be as fast as your 50.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[nico]

Hi David,
don't forget to share some shots when you'll have them back!
Bye
N.

 

[Fred]

Hi Tony*, 🙂
thanks for your note, it's interesting and I must admit I didn't consider the purchase of an external viewfinder for the 28mm because I read in various thread - as you wrote - that the Bessas VF full field of view is about 28mm. I'm excited by fast lenses (the lens I had on my srl was a 28/80 3,5-5,6 and many times I wish I had a faster lens to avoid flash use...) so don't really mind about the "size" of the lens.. even though the 35 pancake I is so thick ... 🙄 soo thick!
bye
Nico



* I had to correct my post ... I was posting for your beatiful cat!! 😀
by the way, what does moggielomaniac mean?
Bye
N.

I share your feelings as to the speed difference of the RF lenses compared to the zooms from SLRs. The choices now permitting fast lenses that are still light and small is a real advantage to the RF user. The 28 Ultron is a cracking lens (I have not used one but have been very impressed by the results I have seen) The thing is that the it is a much bigger lens than the Skopar and will block off a large amount of the Bessa VF from the lower right corner. Let us know how you get on with the Ultron should you decide on it. 🙂

Other lenses that I have screw fit are the wonderful CV 15, 21 and 28 Skopar with external VFs used with my Bessa L as RF focussing is a non issue for me at these angles. Still getting to grips with the street shooting with it though.

As for the term 'moggielomaniac' it is really a play on words as the slang term for a house cat in the midlands UK is 'Moggie' and the term for delusions of grandeur is megalomaniac, so I have a cat called Fred who has delusions of grandeur. 😀

 

[nico]

I share your feelings as to the speed difference of the RF lenses compared to the zooms from SLRs. The choices now permitting fast lenses that are still light and small is a real advantage to the RF user. The 28 Ultron is a cracking lens (I have not used one but have been very impressed by the results I have seen) The thing is that the it is a much bigger lens than the Skopar and will block off a large amount of the Bessa VF from the lower right corner. Let us know how you get on with the Ultron should you decide on it. 🙂

Other lenses that I have screw fit are the wonderful CV 15, 21 and 28 Skopar with external VFs used with my Bessa L as RF focussing is a non issue for me at these angles. Still getting to grips with the street shooting with it though.

As for the term 'moggielomaniac' it is really a play on words as the slang term for a house cat in the midlands UK is 'Moggie' and the term for delusions of grandeur is megalomaniac, so I have a cat called Fred who has delusions of grandeur. 😀

Oh, didn't know that the ultron blocks off a large amount of the Bessa VF from the lower right corner, that's very interesting (as I already wrote, there's always something useful to learn on RFF!🙂) and to be considered in case I would buy it.
I have a cat too but he's so nasty that I call him with a poison's name: Cicuta.
Bye.
N.

 

[marcust101]

Consider the Russian lens' as a cheap, experimental option, I have a Jupiter 12 I found for €50, works really well. You need to take a little care over the source, quality control wasn't good in russia back then. There's usually a couple going in the classified's for small money

Marcus

 

[nico]

Consider the Russian lens' as a cheap, experimental option, I have a Jupiter 12 I found for €50, works really well. You need to take a little care over the source, quality control wasn't good in russia back then. There's usually a couple going in the classified's for small money

Marcus

Hi Marcus,
I'd consider the j-12 but I read that may be dangerous to mount it on a Bessa because the big rear lens' elements may touch shutter curtains. Does your j-12 fit a Bessa R?
Bye
Nico

 

[danwilly]

It is just a matter of time before you purchase a second body. When you are hooked, you are hooked all the way on rangefinders.

 

[nico]

It is just a matter of time before you purchase a second body. When you are hooked, you are hooked all the way on rangefinders.

Amazing....how could you know what's in my mind right now? 😀
mmh ... time pasts quickly....

Bye,
Nico

 

[sf]

Welcome Nico. Tuscany. Neat.

The 50mm Nokton is a very good lens. You're going to love it.

 

[kmack]

Hi Marcus,
I'd consider the j-12 but I read that may be dangerous to mount it on a Bessa because the big rear lens' elements may touch shutter curtains. Does your j-12 fit a Bessa R?
Bye
Nico

The "newer" j12's have a shorter rear end. They will fit but it will block the light sensor.

 

[nico]

Welcome Nico. Tuscany. Neat.

The 50mm Nokton is a very good lens. You're going to love it.
__________________
-George Masters

Hi George,
thanks; you're right, I enjoy the Nok 50 very much.
Bye.
Nico

The "newer" j12's have a shorter rear end. They will fit but it will block the light sensor.
__________________
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* Kevin

Interesting, but how can I recognize the "older" j-12 form the "newer" ... which one has moustache? 😀
Bye
Nico