Help me decide - new Bessa R2A/M or M2/M4

[briandaly]

Hi,
I realise these kinds of questions are asked all the time and apologise if I'm going over old ground.
I'm about to buy my first rangefinder and am leaning towards an M2 (500-700 USD range).
However, for this I could get a new R2A (or R2M) with guarantee and still have lots of change.

The advantages of the M2 as I see it are:
1. Easier focusing due to longer effective base length
2. Quieter shutter and generally smoother operation
3. Slightly smaller
4. It's a Leica - better resale if I decide to trade

The advantages of the Bessa:
1. New with guarantee
2. Costs less

Anyone have any comments?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[rover]

M2
Point #1, but the viewfinder is 40 years old and therefore most likely has slightly dimmed.
#3, not by much at all
#5, no meter which I find a releaving way to photograph but requires you become comfortable with that style

Bessa
3, New crystal clear viewfinder
4, shorter EBL rangefinder, which is only an issue if you are going to use long/fast lenses. All 35s will be fine. 50/1.4 will be fine with perhaps just a bit more care needed all other 50s are fine.
5, AE makes for fast metering and shooting.

 

[briandaly]

M2
Point #1, but the viewfinder is 40 years old and therefore most likely has slightly dimmed.
#3, not by much at all
#5, no meter which I find a releaving way to photograph but requires you become comfortable with that style

Bessa
3, New crystal clear viewfinder
4, shorter EBL rangefinder, which is only an issue if you are going to use long/fast lenses. All 35s will be fine. 50/1.4 will be fine with perhaps just a bit more care needed all other 50s are fine.
5, AE makes for fast metering and shooting.

Good points.
I'd like to try going meterless, using sunny-16 etc. and my l358 for reassurance initially.
Any comments on the feel of the two cameras - is the M2 significantly smoother?

 

[Keith]

I have an M2 and love it dearly but if I had the budget you describe I would go with the Bessa ... you may or may not get a decent M2 out of the 'Leica Lucky Dip' at this price ... but if you do go for the M2 I would make sure you lean towards the mechanical rather than asthetic side of a camera when choosing.

I would also steer clear of eBay ... every Leica I have bought from eBay has needed attention in some area. 🙄

 

[rover]

The Leica M2 is a classic camera made in a classic camera era. Is it smoother than a Bessa, sure, but that doesn't mean the Bessa is not a very good camera in its own right. You can probably figure out what you are getting with a Bessa and get a consistent product being new. If you get a very nice M2, well then you may find that to be something special. That is a little more chancy because you will not know what you are getting until it is in your hands. I really like my M3 and now M2, but others just don't prefer Leicas for whatever reason. It is a personal choice. If you are just looking for something to shoot with, a Bessa can serve you very well. No matter how good an M2 may be, it can't change what the Bessa is. It is hard to compare because they are different cameras from different eras. Both can be the right choice.

 

[thomasw_]

Brian,

Get the M2, a BGN grade from KEH and ship it directly to Youxin Ye for a CLA. The M2 is the most versatile classic Leica; ask Tom A if you doubt this! If you learn to read the light, you will be free from a constraint.

Best of fortune,

Thomas

 

[back alley]

bottom line for me is that all film leicas are bottom loaders and 'i' find that to be a major pita!

the only way i would use a leica is for a nice sunday stroll with no plans for changing the film until i got home.
in cold weather it's hard enough to change film with a hinged back.

i have owned an m4-p and an m3, along with a cl, not worth the hassle for me.

just my opinion tho.
joe

 

[K5HJ]

Brian,

I was in exactly the same boat as you, I knew I wanted a Leica and after much research I decided the M2 was the best choice for me. Then, after shopping around I really could not find an M2 in the condition I desired and in my price range. I even considered a IIIf or maybe a IIIc but these are some pretty old cameras that usually take a lot of TLC to be usable.

I kept looking at the Bessas and finally decided to pull the trigger. I ordered an R2M with a 40mm 1.4 Nokton from Camera Quest and I could not be happier. I prefer the all-mechanical, non-automatic version and the meter seems to be spot on. In fact, I have already ordered another lens, the CV 75mm.

No, it's not a Leica and I'll still keep looking for a good deal on one but I have no regrets with my choice.

My impressions of the Bessa. It looks good, feels comfortable, nice bright view/rangefinder, winds very smoothly, fairly quiet shutter, the meter and LED readout (in 1/2 stop increments) is pretty cool. How this compares to a Lieca M, I can't say.

Good luck in your quest.

Randy