LTM>M adapter - just 1 if you've got manually selected framelines?

[kaiyen]

Hi all,
Been thinking about getting a Bessa now that I finally have some funds. It's only been like 3 years of pining...

Since the Bessa's have manually selected framelines, is there any reason not to get an M body and just use a single LTM>M adapter? I'm thinking I could start with an R and eventually get an R4x since I like to shoot wide. But use the same LTM lenses in some cases.

thanks,
k.

 

[Spyderman]

No problem with that. But if you change lenses often, an adapter for every lens makes sense.

 

[kaiyen]

right. just checking in general. an adapter for every lens wouldn't work, however, if I did have an LTM body - I'd be taking those adapters off for that body. but thanks!

 

[pevelg]

Just remember that there is no adapter that will make a M lens into a LTM one. I'd go with the R2 or R3 or R4 and buy at least one adapter for your LTM lenses. More adapters means quicker changing of lenses. Also consider that you may upgrade to Zeiss or Leica in the future (or the Bessa R7 🙂), so having adapters that correspond to the frame lines is best.

 

[kaiyen]

Well, from the lineup from Voigtlander/Cosina, I'm pretty comfortable going with those across the board, and using LTM versions. This lets me get into an interchangeable-lens RF system at the cost of an R rather than an R2/R3/R4 level. I don't see myself getting into a Zeiss or Leica system - considering the costs of doing SLR work professionally, what is essentially a "for fun" camera system, even though I can write it off (since I do fine art as part of my business, too), I can't justify moving into an M-mount system. Unless I win the lotto, but then cost would be rather moot.

thanks.

 

[pevelg]

🙂 Have fun then! 🙂

 

[joachim]

Well, from the lineup from Voigtlander/Cosina, I'm pretty comfortable going with those across the board, and using LTM versions. This lets me get into an interchangeable-lens RF system at the cost of an R rather than an R2/R3/R4 level. I don't see myself getting into a Zeiss or Leica system - considering the costs of doing SLR work professionally, what is essentially a "for fun" camera system, even though I can write it off (since I do fine art as part of my business, too), I can't justify moving into an M-mount system. Unless I win the lotto, but then cost would be rather moot.

thanks.

Have you ever handled an LTM body? If you have the lens on infinity, I find it pretty tricky to thread the lenses in because of the rangefinder cam (setting the lens to it's closest focus helps). To make it short, I think (as a frequent lens changer) LTM handle badly and unless you are one of the folk who rarely change lenses, I think a Bessa R is the wrong economy (my opinion).

If you like the concept and want Zeiss lenses on the cheap, you could consider a Contax G system. You have to track every thing used these days, but apart from the 16mm everything else can be had at a price similar to a Cosina/Voigtlander lens. G1 are dirt cheap these days. Just an idea, Contax G are not everyone's beef though.

 

[payasam]

Some years ago I toyed with the idea of getting a Bessa R2 and wrote to Mr. Gandy. He suggested that I cut expense by using a single adapter for different lenses. The idea did not appeal to me for two reasons. First, changing an M lens is a good bit faster than changing an LTM lens. Second, I feared that interchanging screw lenses on a body fitted with an M adapter would put strain on the locking mechanism.