I think I found my Bessa L's niche

[Whateverist]

I've been shooting with a Bessa L + Snapshot Skopar + Soviet turret finder for a while, but ever since getting a Leica IIIa I found myself using it more and more and becoming aware of the compromises I was making with the L. I like the camera, but I wasn't sure it was worth keeping if I had another LTM body that was more versatile.

Last weekend I found a combo that lets the L do things the IIIa can't. With a GorillaPod, slow film and a remote release it becomes a pretty great landscape camera. I don't miss the lack of a rangefinder, the meter comes in handy and it has far less of a slap than my film SLR.

Is there anyone else using a similar setup?

 

[BillBingham2]

I carried a cable release in my bag always with film cameras. I used the approach of setting the camera on something stable or holding it against something like a tree rather than a GorillaPod or any of the several table top tripods I owened.

I loved the built in meter during the time I shot with an L a lot as hurding two young children....... less to carry/drop/break.

B2 (;->

 

[kxl]

I used to have a Bessa L paired with a 21mm and external VF for hyperfocal street photography. Set the aperture to f4 or f5.6 and shoot away. It was really a lot of fun using it basically as a P&S with a big bright external VF. You could obviously do the same with other ultrawide lenses.

When shooting landscapes, I like using longer lenses or using a WA lens to get a near-far perspective, which requires some way to focus.

 

[dct]

Still using the Bessa L too with the LTM CV 15/4.5 plus external VF. Cityscapes and landscapes. Best pairing.

 

[taemo]

a friend lent me his Bessa L + 15mm a while ago, fun camera but too wide for my taste.
I think a 25mm or 28mm would have been better for me.

 

[Whateverist]

The 25 does seem to be the sweet spot between 'wide' and 'not wide wide'.

 

[Whateverist]

And because pics or it didn't happen:

 

[kxl]

While the 21mm was fun, I did later on gravitate towards the 25mm.