How do you feel about your Bessa?

[retinax]

I didn't bond with the Bessa R I briefly had. Mostly due to the plastic-y feeling and light weight. Superficial, I know.
I'm much happier with a Canon 7.
That being said, I'd love a R4 one day for wideangle lenses, but can't afford/justify one.

 

[MaxElmar]

Just found and purchased a nearly mint R2 - I am really pleased. I had an R for a while and I sold it - and I found I missed it. I also have a T which is a wonderful camera, but not as pretty or as handy as an R2. As a Barnack shooter - I really like the T rangefinder - and that's the one I reach for for a really fast or long lenses. I use a CV 40/1.4 on the R2 - I have a tendency to frame too loosely - the 35mm frame lines are just about perfect for me. I tried an R3a briefly - I may get another one - but I could not see the 40 frame lines or the display. Darn glasses! I should probably try the R4m...

 

[lxmike]

I bought a Bessa R for a great price and although l shoot a lot with a IIIg and IIIc l really like the Bessa R, obviously l had to buy a Nokton 50mm 1.5 to go with the Bessa

 

[tbhv55]

obviously l had to buy a Nokton 50mm 1.5 to go with the Bessa

Well, naturally! That's compulsory, surely?

 

[Jdsegra]

My Bessa R2 light meter failed on me last week. First I thought it was weak batteries, but remplaced them already and viewfinder light meter leds won't light or show anything.

Any idea where to get it fixed? Looking at the bay, seems R2 prices had risen a bit (bought mine last year for 250, now there are around $400) so I think it deserve fixing. Great camera and had served me well.

Regards.

Yep, try Stephen Gandy at CameraQuest

 

[Rayt]

The R4M with the very wide VF is such a great tool to have in my kit. I really hate external finders. When the Leica .58x came out I was overjoyed and Cosina turned it up to 11. My dislike though about CV bodies is the vertical rf seems to remain off. Not a deal killer for wides.

 

[kshapero]

Mr K and a CV Bessa R3A started my resurrection of using film again. Eventually evolved to the R3M which I proudly still own and shoot today. Add the CV Hand grip and IMHO you have the most ergonomic film rig on the market today.

 

[beakhammer]

I have been using a Bessa-R for a couple of years, and just picked up a Bessa-T. I like them both very much, and they hold their own among a large gang of other cameras that I use regularly. First, within any format I am especially fond of smaller, lightweight, all-mechanical cameras. I like cameras that are simple and straightforward to use. I like big bright viewfinders. These Voigtlanders have all of these qualities, and they are also more robust and convenient than many of my antique cameras.

 

[traveler_101]

I have been using a Bessa-R for a couple of years, and just picked up a Bessa-T. I like them both very much, and they hold their own among a large gang of other cameras that I use regularly. First, within any format I am especially fond of smaller, lightweight, all-mechanical cameras. I like cameras that are simple and straightforward to use. I like big bright viewfinders. These Voigtlanders have all of these qualities, and they are also more robust and convenient than many of my antique cameras.

Welcome to the forum! Can't help but agreeing that these are two commendable camera models, especially considering that I own both of them myself! And, yes, some compromises made in materials has had the virtue of keeping the cameras light.

Curious about how you use the Bessa-T. That was my first rangefinder but I haven't used it much since I acquired a R (and a Leica IIIf). Of course the T takes M-mount lenses . . .

 

[Gary E]

The Bessa R3a is the best shooting M mount camera I own. It is what I take out when I just want to capture photos on a vacation or at events where I don't have time to meter manually. My longest used camera was my M4-2, and it was a great camera to use when I wanted to slow things down a bit.

I only wish the R4a wasn't discontinued.

 

[kuvvy]

I bought a Bessa R for a great price and although l shoot a lot with a IIIg and IIIc l really like the Bessa R, obviously l had to buy a Nokton 50mm 1.5 to go with the Bessa

A silver Bessa R arrived in our store last week along with the CV Nokton 50/1.5. I was tempted but didn’t succumb. Tried the lens on a M4/3 body and was impressed. Wonder what that would be like on my RD1.

 

[jbharrill1]

I’m curious and feel like this may be the best place to ask this question. What is the honest difference in shutter noise on a bessa vs an m body? I’ve watched a few YouTube comparisons but still don’t have a solid idea.

I own a CL and an m4-p and the m4-p is a bit more quiet than the CL. I’m wondering if the bessa is comparable to the CL or more or less quiet? I always thought for some reason that the automatic bessa’s would be a little less noises due to the electric shutter.

 

[dourbalistar]

I’m curious and feel like this may be the best place to ask this question. What is the honest difference in shutter noise on a bessa vs an m body? I’ve watched a few YouTube comparisons but still don’t have a solid idea.

I own a CL and an m4-p and the m4-p is a bit more quiet than the CL. I’m wondering if the bessa is comparable to the CL or more or less quiet? I always thought for some reason that the automatic bessa’s would be a little less noises due to the electric shutter.

The Head Bartender has a description of the Bessa's shutter noise on his Bessa Comparison Chart, about halfway down the page. I think it's the shutter material that has the bigger impact on sound and not the electronic shutter per se. The Bessas have vertically travelling metal bladed shutters vs. horizontally travelling rubberized cloth for Leica M.

I have a Bessa L and a M5, and to my ear the Bessa's shutter is a bit louder and a bit more metallic sounding. But like the Head Bartender says, it's relative, and you may or may not find it objectionably louder.

 

[traveler_101]

I’m curious and feel like this may be the best place to ask this question. What is the honest difference in shutter noise on a bessa vs an m body? I’ve watched a few YouTube comparisons but still don’t have a solid idea.

I own a CL and an m4-p and the m4-p is a bit more quiet than the CL. I’m wondering if the bessa is comparable to the CL or more or less quiet? I always thought for some reason that the automatic bessa’s would be a little less noises due to the electric shutter.

Metal is metal, cloth is cloth regardless of the drive mechanism. My IIIf and a M6 that I tried are much quieter than my Bessas R and T. But then cloth shutters develop problems more easily.