snausages2000 said:
Ferider - you say that having quality lenses on a Bessa is like putting a porsche engine on discount tires. But then you say the body is just about 'feel.' Maybe the analogy, then, is leather seats vs. lambskin? What about the Leica is bringing out more from these lenses? The focusing accuracy on faster lenses seems to be the thing I keep coming back to - why are the Leica's more accurate?
First the rational stuff:
As a background I have used Bessa T, R, R2, R3a, M2, M3, and M6.
- the Leica EBL (effective baselength) is much longer than for any Bessa except for the Bessa T. The M3 has the longest EBL. The EBL determines how easy it is to focus a longer lens.
- Technically, theoretically, at least the Bessa R3* should have enough EBL to focus the Nokton, but not necessarily the Noctilux wide open. It will be more difficult than with a Leica (except for the Bessa T). When I use my M3 with 50/1.2 Canon lens, close up and wide open I miss occasionally. This would be much worse with the Bessa.
Now the "irrational stuff" (I admit the Porsche was a bad image):
- Other people will tell you the Leica is much quieter than the Bessas. Which is true, but not so important for me - it only really helps sometimes.
- But: Both Nokton and Noctilux are rather heavy lenses. The Bessa bodies are light. Knowing the feeling of the Bessas I just know that yours truly would not feel comfortable with such a body/lens combo.
- My Bessa R and R2 were very reliable. My T and R3a had alignment issues several times that were more difficult to fix than the Leica M bodies that I have.
- often it is argued that Leicas are so much more expensive than Bessas. In my experience this is not true: you can get a good used M2 or M3 for US 500-600 easily. I would be very comfortable buying more used Leicas, in particular if they have gone through a CLA. I would hesitate to buy a used Bessa again, and a new Bessa R[234]* is > US 500, too, so not much cheaper.
- The Noctilux is > 3000 US now. The Nokton more than US 800. It just seemed
"cheap" to think about spending > US 4000 on lenses and save 100-200
US on the camera body ...
Under the bottom line, if you like the Bessa: good for you. You will have more money for lenses. Not because the first Bessa is cheaper; but because - like Frank said - you don't catch the Leica bug ...
I am not a Leica brand fanatic. But I like my Leica bodies.
To use the Heliar effectively, any LTM/M body will do. I recommend a Bessa L for this lens only.
Best,
Roland.
