Just got a Voigtlander Bessa today

E

eric23

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Hi Guys,

I just picked up a rangefinder a Voigtlander Bessa R with a 50mm F1.5 Nokton Lens. I have never owned a rangefinder before. I have just started a photography program and wanted a film to use for some class projects.

I like my new camera. I plan on testing a lot this weekend. 🙂

I do have a few questions;

How good is the built in light meter? I find it a bit hard to use.

I found a light meter online that plugs in-to the flash mount are these better then the built-in one ore should I just buy a handheld light meter?

I would like to get a wide angel lens next is the Voigtlander 15/4.5 Aspherical a good lens for the price?

Thanks,

Eric
 
Eric:

I must say that the meter in the Bessa R is, in my opinion, one of the better meters around and quite easy to use. Just follow either the plus or minus arrows until they disappear and only a red dot remains. And you make them do that by either rotating the aperture ring or changing the shutter speed. Simple.

You definitely don't need a bolt-on light meter. As for the 15/4.5 - I wish I had one.

Ted
 
I agree with Ted, I have used the meter on the Bessa L and now the T, it is just fine. Just keep in mind that it is centerweighted, with emphasis towards the lower half of the frame. Then, as you get used to it, you can adjust your exposure as needed for different lighting situations. But for now I would think the built in one will do you! Enjoy!

Nancy
 
I'm with Ted on this issue. I have found the meter on my R to be acceturate and easy to use, the led's are a bit bright in dim light though.
 
Hi,welcome to the club!That's a nice kit you have there,the Color Skopar 35/2.5 is a nice lens for your setup also.Small and tack sharp,the 15 is no slouch either.The Bessa meters are like everyone says,Good........Robin
 
I'm also impressed by the meter in my Bessa-R - I get nicely exposed shots with it (though I'd rather have a needle than the LEDs, because I like to get some feel for how many stops out I am rather than just under/over).

As for wide angle, I've got several CV wides including the 15. The 15 is wonderful, but you really have to be sure you want something that extreme - I love mine, but don't use it very often (and didn't expect to).

Of the wides I have (15/4.5, 21/4, 25/4, 35/2.5) I use the 35 the most, but that's because it's pretty much my standard lens on the Bessa-R (I don't have a CV 50 yet). Of the others (the "real" wides), I reckon I'll use the 25/4 more than the 21 and 15 put together (I haven't had the 25 long enough to be sure yet, but that's my feeling).

Only you can decide the best one for you, but if I had to suggest one that I think would please more people more of the time, I'd go for the 25.
 
It's a long way from 50mm to 15mm. 15mm is super wide.
If you don't have experience with that wide a fov, search the galleries here first and see what you'll be dealing with.
You can certainly make some spectacular shots with it, but it is a bit extreme.
 
Welcome, Eric. I'm sure that you will enjoy your Bessa. I have a Bessa R2a and use it primarily with the CV 35/2.5 which gives me sufficient depth of field when using it for street photography. Since obtaining the R2a and getting drawn into the rangefinder mystique, the SLR has gotten very little use. There is something very different about rangefinder photography that is difficult to explain and once it gets a hold of you, it is tough to shake off.

Have fun and I look forward to seeing some of your work.
 
Some time ago someone on this forum recommended me this:
-if 2 lens kit - than 35+50
-if 3 lens kit - add 85/90
-if 4 lens kit - add 21/25

I agree with what Alan said before: 15 is quite extreme wideangle, and if you use it too much only because the effect of wide lens it will get boring to the viewers of your photos.

I once had a 20 and then a 19-35 zoom, but I used it excessively only because of that effect "wow - that's wide!". Now my widest lens is 28 and I'm happy with it...

So if you're into wides - I would recommend a 21 or 25 for a first wideangle lens.
 
Spyderman is calling it very well...

Having used a Summaron 35 for many years more than all other
focal lengths, I added the CV 25/4 recently and love it.

While I know some guys like the 21, it depends on your way of
'seeing.' Having used a 24mm a lot on SLR's, I don't 'see' much wider
than 24-25mm.

Cheers, mike
 
Thanks for all the feedback.

Bad news at the end of my first roll of film and it would not rewind the roll up. The camera is broken. I had to bring it back to the store and get my money back because it was the last one they had in stock. I when to a few more camera stores but they do not sell film camera much anymore. I guess I will have to look around for another camera. I found a few leica’s but they are 3K+ and I am not sure if I want to spend that kind of money.

Eric
 
Eric:

Your camera might not have been "broken." If you try to advance past the last frame the film advance lever will jam half way through its stroke. What you do then is press in the rewind button on the bottom of the camera. This will allow you to complete the film advance lever stroke. Then the film will rewind easily.

It's a Bessa R quirk. I don't know if the rest of the newer R series do that.

Ted
 
tedwhite said:
Eric:

Your camera might not have been "broken." If you try to advance past the last frame the film advance lever will jam half way through its stroke. What you do then is press in the rewind button on the bottom of the camera. This will allow you to complete the film advance lever stroke. Then the film will rewind easily.

It's a Bessa R quirk. I don't know if the rest of the newer R series do that.

Ted
Click to expand...

Well I don't have the camera anymore it is back at the store and they are sending it back to be reparied.

But now I need to get a new camera,

What is the best model to get? I might order one from H&B. Also what lens is the best to start off with a 35 or a 50?

Here is one with a lens;

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=6025&A=details&Q=&sku=432986&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


Thanks for all your input,

Eric
 
Diggin99 said:
Oops I changed my mind, if I were you I would get Tom Diaz's R2m, its a complete kit, with case, if its still for sale that is!

Nancy
Click to expand...

Hi Nancy,

Do you have a link to the kit?

Thanks,

Eric
 
Eric:

That B&H camera is far too expensive. Bessas go all the time here in the classifieds. Keep an eye out.
 
You should have asked before you took the camera back to the store... 🙁

There are some well-known problems but also well-known solutions to them... and some precautions (like "don't advance the film before the second shutter curtain closes"). Bessas are not bad cameras, you just have to know these weaknesses and use them accordingly...
 
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