I sold my Bessa T, and now I have Bessa envy...

[ishpop]

So in the end, I couldn't get into the external viewfinder + rangefinder focusing experience. I know the T gives the ability to focus accurately, but honestly, I did not enjoy squinting my eyes to look into the rangefinder at all.

So now here I am, rangefinder-less, and eyeing all these auctions. I would like to pick something up, and I am all for saving money on the body so that I can invest in lenses, to a point. Even my T was a pretty awesome cam. Maybe not built like a tank, but I baby me cams anyways, and am not traversing Tibetan sandstorms or minefields in West Africa, so as long as it will continue to take photos, I'm good. 😉

What rangefinders, Bessa or otherwise, and that are not fixed-lense, have the largest and most easy to use viewfinder/rangefinder?

And of those, which are the best bang for the buck?

I am trying to spend under a grand for a body and lense combo ideally.

I was checking out the Leica CL + 40 Cron in the classifieds, seems like a nice small package, but I couldn't find a lot of info on the viewfinder.

I could also spring for one of the more recent Bessa's, as I also fancy the 40mm Nokton 1.4.

I read a lot of the "which Bessa" threads, so if anything my primary query is about viewfinders.

Thanks!

 

[zenlibra]

I'm not an expert but I recently acquired a Bessa-R, and the viewfinder is big and bright. According to CameraQuest the R has a viewfinder that rivals Leica. Maybe a Bessa R3A or R3M will work for you, the viewfinder is 1:1. Happy hunting!

 

[Bingley]

Agree. The R3* has framelines for 40mm. The vfs on any Bessa R* are awesome.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

The biggest and best VF belongs to the current Zeiss Ikon, but the VF/RF of the Bessa R2a isn't that far behind. A used Leica M2 or M4-2 might also be had for under $1000 if you can live with separate metering. The Leicas have a longer base-length than the current Bessa cameras and a little less than the Zeiss Ikon.

 

[ishpop]

Yeah, the Ikon would be great, but probably too steep of an investment, especially considering I would need to get a Zeiss 50mm 1.5... 😉

The R2M or R3M sound like my best bets...

However, I am still intrigued by that Summicron-c 40mm...

 

[bobkonos]

I suggest the Bessa R. It has a great viewfinder, built-in light meter, great ergonomics. Likely more reliable then the quirky Zeiss Ikon, less expensive then a Leica M, and takes lots of great lenses from Cosina/Voigtlander, Leica and Canon. However, it will not take the M-mount 40 Summicron. You could get a Leica CL for that.

 

[ishpop]

I suggest the Bessa R. It has a great viewfinder, built-in light meter, great ergonomics. Likely more reliable then the quirky Zeiss Ikon, less expensive then a Leica M, and takes lots of great lenses from Cosina/Voigtlander, Leica and Canon. However, t will not take the M-mount 40 Summicron. You could get a Leica CL for that.

Thanks Bob, I am leaning towards the R to be honest.

 

[robin a]

They're great little cameras..................Robin

 

[blackwave]

Yeah, the Ikon would be great, but probably too steep of an investment, especially considering I would need to get a Zeiss 50mm 1.5... 😉

The R2M or R3M sound like my best bets...

However, I am still intrigued by that Summicron-c 40mm...

You can get an R3M and Summicron 40mm. The R3M has 40mm framelines and an M-mount. That would be a brilliant combo, IMO.