Leica CL VS. Voigtlander Bessa R

Leica CL VS. Voigtlander Bessa R

  • Leica CL

    Votes: 198 56.7%

  • Bessa R

    Votes: 72 20.6%

  • Bessa R2

    Votes: 24 6.9%

  • Bessa R2M

    Votes: 55 15.8%
  • Total voters
    349
Toni, I'm suggesting a used R2, not a new one.

If the CL is the camera for you, terrific; I'm just not sure if it makes sense to pick a camera with frame lines that are different than your primary lens. There are terrific 40 mm lenses available for the CL, inlcuding the Minolta Rokkor 40/2 & the Rollei 40/2.8 as well as the CV & the Summicron-C.

Regarding the bokeh of the CV 40/1.4, I've seen some really nice bokeh with this lens & I know a portrait photographer that loves its look wide open for his professional work. A number of things affect bokeh, including lighting, the business of the background, & the distance of the subject from the camera& from the background. Pictures you've seen may be examples of bad photography rather than bad bokeh. I also wonder how often you are planning to shoot at f/1.4 & f/2, which is where bokeh will be a big factor. As you stop down from there, it becomes less of an element in the picture.

Just my 2 cents . . .
 
The problem is that I am dreaming about buying some "real" leica someday and there arent other leicas with the 40mm frameline.

The used r2 seems also be more expensive than the leica. I live in europe, so I can buy the used cl from german and I don't even have to pay customs inside the EU area.
 
Last edited:
Go for the CL. If you get the 40mm lens it will bring up the 50mm lines on the M's. It does not take too much imagination to "see" the 40mm FOV around the 50mm lines. I have used the 40mm with the M2 and M3.

This folder is with the 40mm Summicron on my M2.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/749

None of the images were cropped from the scanned negative.
 
Last edited:
Honestly, I lean towards the CL. I really like it... though, I would prob. have a 21mm for my standard lens... and neither camera has a viewfinder for it. Interesting... a 35 would be my number 2 lens. So I am a weiord one on this:)
 
I like my CL a lot. Small, stealthy black, fairly quiet, great meter and pictures. Rokkor 40 lens. I'm now using it more than my MP!

If you want a warranty then get the Bessas. They seem like very good cameras - I may even get an R2A someday. The Bessa R Rangefinder Body*w/ 35/2.5 C at $25 US is a great deal.

But a CL is really a cool little camera.

Way
 
Got one!

After losing numerous auctions in ebay I finally won one. You can find the auction from here

I allmost bought a m2 in one stage, but I'm glad I didn'd because I would have any money left to buy lenses. :rolleyes: But I have to get one of those M's in someday because I realy fell in love with the m2 when I tried it in one local shop.

I ended up getting the cl with the orginal 40mm, so no more trouble at choosing a lens. I think it was the best solution.

I also ordered a new skin for it from the aki asahi. It is going to look so good!
 
Looks great, Toni, and this should serve you happily for quite a while! Excellent lens (some say even better than the 50 'cron), and an capable camera unassuming in appearance. A Voigtlander 75mm Heliar would make a good longer companion to the 40, if you can manage the lack of built-in framelines (there is a separate viewfinder available). And at the wider side a 28mm or perhaps 25mm too, also calling for an accessory viewfinder.

See how we can help you suffer Gear Acquisition Syndrome? :D
 
back alley said:
the best start up kit nowadays, considering cost and future growth etc. is the bessa r & 35.2 outfit.

joe
Click to expand...

I agree - it's a fine combo. Later you can move on to Leica M (by then you'd probably be seriously GAS afflicted and wanting an M3 anyway). Thanks mostly to Voigtlander, M39 in now a good choice for modern as well as vintage glass. The opening of the FSU helped too.

In fact there's a beauty of a Bessa R for sale here right now (I am not the seller nor do I know him).
 
The CL HAS to be the choice here. But not because it's a CL... but because it has the framelines for the best lens, in value-vs-$$ terms, that's available.

There are a host of other reasons, including the CL's absolutely brilliant metering ... (OK, when it works). A analogue needle is functionally superior to match diodes, and even oddities like the placement of the shutter speed dial make real sense in practice.

But the first and best reason to buy the CL is the Summicron C, a lens that gives results just as good as the V4 35mm Cron, with a far lower pricetag and bullsh*t quotient.
 
I had the same problems w/ my CL that Roman had. It just felt awkward to shoot with. The viewfinder magnification is much less that a Bessa, and I just couldn't get used to the shutter dial position. Had a Bessa R, and although it worked fine (until the crappy rewind lever broke while simply rewinding the film) I gotta admit it felt toy-camera like. The shutter firing shook the whole camera. Still, some people love them. I think I would recommend the R3a. Used they are very reasonable. If you want an in camera meter, and it sounds like you do, this is your best buy for the money.
 
Paul T. said:
But the first and best reason to buy the CL is the Summicron C, a lens that gives results just as good as the V4 35mm Cron, with a far lower pricetag and bullsh*t quotient.
Click to expand...


agreed. my venture into rf started with a CL + 40/90 combo, and now still use them all, esp the summicron-C (extensively). Its even my 'normal' lens when using the MP (maybe its time to get another, instead of swapping lenses between the bodies?). The only other lens i now own is the cv 28/3.5, which is a great piece of glass itself.
 
Toni H. said:
I think I'm going to buy more serious body later (most likely a r3A or some "real" leica) and then I could use the cl as a backup body and carryallday camera.
Click to expand...

Buy a body that will seamlessly fit into the backup role. I cannot recommend the Bessa T highly enough. Here are some shots I have done with it and it has been just wonderful - never hindered me for a second. It will take the M mount and it's long base length will focus with the best of the M bodies, which the CL's tiny EBL won't. It's light to carry around, and is fully mechanical, only needing batteries for the meter LEDs. The perfect backup.

I have had a real hard time deciding to sell mine to partly fund an M2 and an Ikon, but it is really difficult to part with it. The external VF puts many people off, but once you look thru a good brightline finder, you'll realize what a joy it is to use.

-A
 
Anupam, I checked out your photos linked above and have to say wow, they are really impressive. I'm partly inspired to be more creative, especially by some of your cool motion shots, and partly depressed realizing how lousy my own pictures are by comparison. Really, incredible. Thanks for posting.
 
A,

I have to agree with you, the T is a way under rated camera. When you stick a bright line on her she ROCKS! It was hard to part with my two, but they went to good home and I think are very happy.

B2 (;->
 
I would go for a CLE. No batterie problems. No metering cell in the way of recessed lenses. TTL flash ability. Shutter times in the finder. 28/40/90 finder with a wider rangefinder base.
 
The R2A and R3A aren't much more expensive and are much better than the CL or the R (imo). Just start with an R2A and any 35mm lens. If you're not sure if RFs are for you and you don't want to spend much money, buy a nice cheap fixed-lens RF.
 
I got a CL for two main reasons - to use as a backup body when out with my M6, and as a smaller (and cheaper) camera to carry around when not specifically out shooting - I got it serviced at CRR Luton and it's in sparkling condition now. Not long after I got the CL I fell to the temptation of a Summicron-C 40. And it's such a great combination that it's now often my camera/lens of choice when I go out shooting. The S-C is a superb lens, and a screaming bargain at today's prices - I think every CL should have one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom