colyn
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Any comments on this camera?
BillBingham2
Registered User
I used one for years and love them. I bought my first one because I wanted a rangefinder with an M mount and built-in meter that if I got damaged (my sons were younger back then) I would not be very mad (read if something happened to one of my Leica Ms). The build in diaopter for the range finder works great. I love being able to see the meter readings without having to have my eye glued to the finder. I use this more on wide angle lenses than I do for longer. I moved back to using me Ms (M6c and M4-P) now that my kids are older.
I want to use it as a carry everywhere camera, but with the 25 brightline finder it’s just a bit too tall (compared to an L, the RF does ad a few millimeters). I really do need to look for another small belt bag. I carry an L with a 25 on her almost everywhere and wanted to change it out for a T, but size stopped me. IMHO, get a winder, the make the camera hang the right way (down from the wind side), its worth the money. It really is a perfect second camera for someone who has a Leica M or an excellent first camera.
I also love using it with a Leica RASAL Sport (or Wire Frame) finder. When shooting sports, this allows me to see what action is coming into the frame before it gets there. The RASAL is somewhat hard to find, but worth it as it handles everything from 35 to 135 and folds flat (almost nothing size-wise). There are other good sport finders, but the Nikon one cost as must as a M6 does these days and the Canon one is harder to find.
The only down side is trying to find some good Brightline finders for older lenses.
What made you make the purchase?
B2 (;->
I want to use it as a carry everywhere camera, but with the 25 brightline finder it’s just a bit too tall (compared to an L, the RF does ad a few millimeters). I really do need to look for another small belt bag. I carry an L with a 25 on her almost everywhere and wanted to change it out for a T, but size stopped me. IMHO, get a winder, the make the camera hang the right way (down from the wind side), its worth the money. It really is a perfect second camera for someone who has a Leica M or an excellent first camera.
I also love using it with a Leica RASAL Sport (or Wire Frame) finder. When shooting sports, this allows me to see what action is coming into the frame before it gets there. The RASAL is somewhat hard to find, but worth it as it handles everything from 35 to 135 and folds flat (almost nothing size-wise). There are other good sport finders, but the Nikon one cost as must as a M6 does these days and the Canon one is harder to find.
The only down side is trying to find some good Brightline finders for older lenses.
What made you make the purchase?
B2 (;->
colyn
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BillBingham2 said:
Thanks for the info..
I have some wide angle CV lens and wanted to dedicate them to a particular camera and found the T to be what I was looking for based on Stevens informative site.
Also when my 0.95 comes back I want to give it a try on this body.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Fast lenses is a space that I wish Pres. K would kick the tires on a bit more. I dream of a R5 that is made for fast long lenses (e.g. 50/0.95, 85/2, 105/2.5, 135/2.8).
Your 50 will rock on the T! There is some special finder for 50s that I remember reading on the CameraQuest site about because you shoot with both eyes open. I do not have a 50 in M so I never got one.
B2 (;->
Your 50 will rock on the T! There is some special finder for 50s that I remember reading on the CameraQuest site about because you shoot with both eyes open. I do not have a 50 in M so I never got one.
B2 (;->
colyn
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BillBingham2 said:
Steven sells 50mm finders which are advertised as being used with both eyes open. I'll be getting one soon.
Nando
Well-known
I love mine. For me it served as my first RF. Now its a companion for my MP. It's very enjoyable to use and although the MP is so nice, I still use the Bessa-T about 1/2 of the time. Its a good bargain if you already have external vf's or a multifinder. I went a bit crazy buying a vf for all my lenses along with several different multifinders and the cost really added up.
It works really well with fast glass and longer RF lenses. I never had any problems focussing my 50/1,5 J3 nor my 135/4,5 Hektor. Now the Voightlander 50mm vf is not exactly 1:1... at least the one I got isn't. But it is close and you can use it with two eyes open. My 75mm vf is 1:1 though. I also thought about getting a Canon 50/0.95 for the T but I heard that the lens barrel is too wide and it would block the little circular rf windows. I hope that's not true.
After about a year of use, my T is showing a few minor quirks but it never failed yet. Changing the vf's along with the lenses can be a nuisance if you are in a hurry.
It works really well with fast glass and longer RF lenses. I never had any problems focussing my 50/1,5 J3 nor my 135/4,5 Hektor. Now the Voightlander 50mm vf is not exactly 1:1... at least the one I got isn't. But it is close and you can use it with two eyes open. My 75mm vf is 1:1 though. I also thought about getting a Canon 50/0.95 for the T but I heard that the lens barrel is too wide and it would block the little circular rf windows. I hope that's not true.
After about a year of use, my T is showing a few minor quirks but it never failed yet. Changing the vf's along with the lenses can be a nuisance if you are in a hurry.
colyn
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I was just reading on Cameraquest that the Bessa-T can be used with the Visoflex II and III without modification. This will give me the chance to do metered close-up photography with the Viso and bellows II without having to calculate exposure..
Terao
Kiloran
Lovely, very compact and light. Just a word of warning, don't rush the film advance. Quite easy to jam the shutter beyond repair on these as I found to my cost 
- particularly important on the slow speeds...
Would buy another in a heartbeat at the right price, just missed one on eBay
- particularly important on the slow speeds...Would buy another in a heartbeat at the right price, just missed one on eBay
pvdhaar
Peter
I moved from a Konica Hexar RF to a Bessa-T. Basically because I couldn't get used to the amalgamation of manual and auto features like motorized film advance on the Konica. To me the Bessa-T is the quintessential RF camera, no frills, no thrils..
I later got a Leica M4 during the time the Bessa-T was away for repair, but it hasn't replaced it. The T remains my favourite..
I later got a Leica M4 during the time the Bessa-T was away for repair, but it hasn't replaced it. The T remains my favourite..
I really like my Bessa T, but think I will be selling it shortly as I don't see myself using it much since I have the R4a now. That said, it is a nice camera and other than the fact that I have too much stuff I would keep it and try to find a way to use it more often.
mike goldberg
The Peaceful Pacific
I have both the Bessa R and the T. The T is my "wide angle camera;" I keep a Rostow 35mm finder on it most of the time... mike
colyn
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mike goldberg said:
I will be using it mainly for wide angle myself. I have the 15mm and 21mm lens and will also use it with my Canon 0.95..
Tuolumne
Veteran
I just got a Bessa-T, and I am finding it to be my favorite camera. I have even started shooting it in preference to my MP and R-D1. To me it feels like an eye with film. The viewfinder is, of course, very very bright, given the fact that it is a straight through design. Much brighter than any of the Leica view finders. You don't get parallax correction, but you get used to compensating for that on your own. The external meter lights are brilliant, since you can look at all of the controls while you are adjusting them, and you can have your exposure correctly set before the camera comes up to your eye. The rangefinder is more like a telescope than a standard rangefinder. The subjective effect is far greater than the 1.5x magnification would suggest. This makes it nearly ideal for fast lenses since it's so easy to get the focus right quickly the first time. For me this makes it an ideal camera for both wide lenses and very fast lenses. This is something of a contradiction in rangefinder cameras, so I find it a delightful combination in the "T".
Now I am feeling like some kind of nut, preferring my $189 Bessa-T over the slick Leicas that cost 20x as much. It doesn't have the build quality and feel of those Leicas, not even close, but for me it has certainly become my "eye with film".
/T
Now I am feeling like some kind of nut, preferring my $189 Bessa-T over the slick Leicas that cost 20x as much. It doesn't have the build quality and feel of those Leicas, not even close, but for me it has certainly become my "eye with film".
/T
ferider
Veteran
Did I see you selling your T Colyn ?
colyn
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ferider said:
I picked up a second T with 35mm CV lens from a local shop who was selling on consignment which I sold on ebay. Still have the original one though.. I also picked up a Bessa R2M but will be keeping it..
Bingley
Veteran
After reading this and other threads on the Bessa T, I'm giving it v. serious consideration as a dedicated body for my recently acquired 28 skopar. I used the 28 skopar extensively on my Canon P on a recent vacation, and concluded that having a small, lightweight second body for that lens would be great, so I could keep a 35 or a 50 on the P and avoid changing lenses as often.
ferider
Veteran
colyn said:
Very fair price you sold it for, Colyn, will make somebody very happy !
Best,
Roland.
colyn
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ferider said:
I didn't do bad.. Got my investment back plus I now have a R2M to boot.