Identifying a Bessa II Apo Lanthar Version

[mamypoko]

Hi there,

I bought a Bessa II with the mentioned lens in Japan many years back, recently I was trying to figure out which variant it was as I've never seen a similar model online with the same colored lettering as mine.

Anyone have any idea which variant this it? Thank you 🙂

 

[EdSawyer]

Looks like maybe those cells were put in that shutter by someone after the fact, e.g. not an original bessa II apo lanthar. The lens was available for the Technika 6x9 and other uses, the coloring seems similar to those.

 

[mamypoko]

Thank you, looks to be the case too that he colored the APO-LANTHAR in red.

Luckily I've never had a problem with the images, just always wondered about it since I bought it.

Looks like maybe those cells were put in that shutter by someone after the fact, e.g. not an original bessa II apo lanthar. The lens was available for the Technika 6x9 and other uses, the coloring seems similar to those.

 

[Corran]

mamypoko,

I have a Bessa II w/ Color Heliar, as well as a 10.5cm APO Lanthar in Compur that I use on my Linhof 70 and Century Graphic 6x9 cams.

On a lark, I tried replacing the cells of the Color Heliar with the APO Lanthar. They fit, but, the front of the lens was larger and made it impossible to close the camera. I suppose one could machine down the front lens element and get rid of the filter threads and perhaps fit it, but generally speaking if yours closes and doesn't seem to be drastically altered, my guess is that it is original. Can't be certain though - just thought I'd mention my experience as such.

 

[mamypoko]

Thanks Corran, I'll check again, it closes just fine but I've never really checked on the threads.

BTW if you're the same Corran on LFF your Gundlach 8x10 is still working fine 😀

mamypoko,

I have a Bessa II w/ Color Heliar, as well as a 10.5cm APO Lanthar in Compur that I use on my Linhof 70 and Century Graphic 6x9 cams.

On a lark, I tried replacing the cells of the Color Heliar with the APO Lanthar. They fit, but, the front of the lens was larger and made it impossible to close the camera. I suppose one could machine down the front lens element and get rid of the filter threads and perhaps fit it, but generally speaking if yours closes and doesn't seem to be drastically altered, my guess is that it is original. Can't be certain though - just thought I'd mention my experience as such.