atelier7
Well-known
i believe stephen www.cameraquest.com still has a number of olive coloured R2 for $399? throw in an $55 M-adapter, $30 Jupiter 8 50/2 lense and you'll still come around $500.
I'm officially confused
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pvdhaar
Peter
Just curious.. what kind of projects? Like FrankS suggested, that may affect the outcome of the advice that would best serve you..padu said:
thefsb
Established
padu said:
for the bessa R body or kit: http://cameraquest.com/voigrf.htm
for the list of lenses: http://cameraquest.com/voigtlenchart.htm
the important thing is to look at all the LSM lenses. the only important ones only available in M are the fast 35mm and 40mm noktons. but some of these LSM lenses are discontinued so buy while the stocks last.
the other thing about the R is that it has a self-timer. i find that rather handy for long exposures. it saves your bacon if you forget to take a cable release, and it saves you from removing your soft-release and attaching the cable.
many people have said that the fit and finish of the bessa R2/3&4 is considerably superior to the R and more desirable. i have an R and an R4 and i don't entirely share this opinion. i like the R styling with the angled shoulders rather a lot. the R has more plastic parts on it but it still seems very nice to me. just my opinion.
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As Frank said, a lot depends upon the nature of your projects. The R is a fine place to start if budget is a driving force. I would recomend that you look at the R2 (Olive) and a 40/1.4 new as a much better solution for just a bit more money.
LTM is a fine mount, but M IMHO is better. Not only is it easier to change, you can adapt just about every LTM lens to work on a M camera. There are some lenses because of the depth they extend into the body that will not work on Bessas (or ZIs I think) but will on most M bodies. M mount gives you the best of both worlds.
You will find the 35mm frame lines on the R2 a fine match for the 40 and as they are level settable, no big deal with automatic selection like you would find on a Leica M body.
The R2 also accepts a winder which some times is worth it's weight in gold. The build quality of the R2 (and beyond) is a bit better than the R, though the R is a fine camera, a great bargin at the current price point.
If you have a friend out of California, have it mailed to them and then they send it back to you. This saves you the tax being a Calf resident. Stephen will honor the warrentee. I have purchased tons of stuff from him and would recomend him very very highly.
The 40 is a great lens, built to the new standard fast as the dickens.
Do not forget a MSR (MiniSoftRelease), it's a great additon to every Bessa.
B2 (;->
LTM is a fine mount, but M IMHO is better. Not only is it easier to change, you can adapt just about every LTM lens to work on a M camera. There are some lenses because of the depth they extend into the body that will not work on Bessas (or ZIs I think) but will on most M bodies. M mount gives you the best of both worlds.
You will find the 35mm frame lines on the R2 a fine match for the 40 and as they are level settable, no big deal with automatic selection like you would find on a Leica M body.
The R2 also accepts a winder which some times is worth it's weight in gold. The build quality of the R2 (and beyond) is a bit better than the R, though the R is a fine camera, a great bargin at the current price point.
If you have a friend out of California, have it mailed to them and then they send it back to you. This saves you the tax being a Calf resident. Stephen will honor the warrentee. I have purchased tons of stuff from him and would recomend him very very highly.
The 40 is a great lens, built to the new standard fast as the dickens.
Do not forget a MSR (MiniSoftRelease), it's a great additon to every Bessa.
B2 (;->
padu
Casual Photographer
pvdhaar said:
Well, any project that requires blending with the crowd. I realize that when I'm shooting with my dslr, people get jittery. I had problems with security guards and even parents in places where more people were photographing, but I was the only one with a dslr.
Another reason to get a rangefinder is that my absolute masters (HCB, Salgado) all used one, so I want to try and see what all the fuss is about.
BTW, the deed is done. I've got a Bessa-R with a jupiter 8 that should be in the mail soon.
thefsb
Established
padu said:
sweet!
i think you'll enjoy the simplicity relative to the dslr.
Uwe_Nds
Chief Assistant Driver
padu said:
Congrats!
But be warned, rangefinders are addictive 😀!
Best regards,
Uwe
padu
Casual Photographer
tokek said:
Not what I found. When I have my dSLR, I'm asked more often than when I have my canon SD800 (point and shoot).
Regarding the right of parents of protecting their children, I'm with you, but protecting from what? Or you are one of those believers that a photo taken may steal your soul? 🙄
Remember, if you are in a public place, there's nothing you can do to avoid others from taking your pictures...
jarski
Veteran
padu said:
I usually signal in advance that I'm there with camera.. those who dont like it have time to turn away or move along. I dont even try take very close ups neither. never had problem with anybody.
nico
Well-known
Congrats Padu, I'm sure you'll enjoy your kit!
ciao
ciao
Perhaps
Newbie
kudos to cameraquest - also has a lot of stuff on sale
padu
Casual Photographer
Perhaps said:
Yes, kudos to them... the amount of information they have there is amazing.
And also kudos for rangefinderforum... in a matter of days you guys directed got to educate me on the basics...
I can't wait for my bessa to arrive now.
dostacos
Dan
well except for the "2" they look like an Rpadu said:
EDIT: gotta read the whole thread... well join us and I will let you play with other lenses. tp give you a sever GAS attack 😀
I would suggest either the R +35mm or save a bit and go with an R2A/M or a used R2 plus the 35/2.5 [love the lens]
CameraQuest has an olive R2 for sale for $399, buy that and I will trade you my R2 in black plus $100 and you can get the 35MM lens for your $500 😀
If you are in So Cal we are setting up a photo shoot meet and greet probably the 23rd. If you can make it you will be able to see all manner of Bessa's and lenses, I will lend you my R2 and choice of lens [or lenses], shoot a roll and see how you like it.
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padu
Casual Photographer
dostacos said:
Hey dostacos
Thanks for the offer. Where in SoCal? I'm in San Diego.
I got a Bessa R with a jupiter 8 lens. I was reading the reviews and it seems like a good option for starters. It should be in the mail right now and I'll probably get my hands on it by the week's end.
Thanks for the info!
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