MP vs Bessa III

gilpen123

gilpen123

Gil
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I am using 95% 135 (various RFs) and 5% MF on an RZ67 for architecture and landscape, now I'm doing mostly B&W street and some landscape & travel photos as well. The MF used to be 30% but has dwindled a lot due to portability issues when I travel. I am planning on my next acquisition in January ( 1 major camera/year) and is ready to get a slightly used MP 0.85 but the new Bessa III seems to be pulling my decision towards a compact MF. I just got a 13x19 printer and plan to do a lot of 11 x 14 and above prints. The only limitation is flexibility as the Bessa is a fixed lens though I loved 40 mm +/- range and can live with it. Thinking aloud, I have 7 RFs (M3, CLE, IIIf, Canon P, Canonet, Rollei SE and Yashica GSN) and 2 SLRs and can use them for my 135 needs. I can't often bring with me the RZ but the MP is my dream camera. Will I use my heart or my brain? :bang:
 
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Both cameras are good. 135mm is easier in use. More exposures per roll, smaller cassette and camera. MF is fun to shot, no argue. But decision between Bessa and MP is easy - it's MP for sure!!!
 
"I'm doing mostly B&W street and some landscape & travel photos as well."

My brain and heart both would tell me to go with MP. :D

Well, they did and I went. :p
 
I'd take the Bessa if I were you. Reasons? Bessa III gives you resolution and sharpness that no 35mm camera/lens combination can give. Think about the possibilities in landscape and travel!
 
Yes Mablo that was driving me to Bessa III as I've mentioned I'll be printing fairly large so the advantage is very clear, however, I have the 5000 ED scanner for 135 as opposed to V500 for MF. Also, the flexibility of FLs and wide lens openings goes to the MP. I wonder how big one can digitally print 135 without getting pixelated result.
 
Your decision should be straightforward as you already have a Leica M3 but no readily portable MF gear. The MP won't do anything you can't with the M3 but the 667 would bring quite a lot of new capability to your set.
 
gilpen123 said:
Yes Mablo that was driving me to Bessa III as I've mentioned I'll be printing fairly large so the advantage is very clear, however, I have the 5000 ED scanner for 135 as opposed to V500 for MF. Also, the flexibility of FLs and wide lens openings goes to the MP. I wonder how big one can digitally print 135 without getting pixelated result.
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Visible 'pixellation' wil not be a problem printing 5000 scans of 35mm, It will give you around a 20Mp scan. The issue you wil have is how big you can print before the quality falls away to a level you are not happy with. That will likely depend on your film and processing expertise. I have a couple of 15 by 10s from HP5 in xtol that I think are very nice, but in genera I wouldn't print it much about 10.5 by 7 or 12 by 8 max. Acros 100 in xtol will go bigger... The film is the limit (please don't turn this into a scan vs wet print thread!)

Mike
 
I'd get the Bessa III simply because you have so many 35mm rangefinders already.

Then when travelling I'd pick whichever 35mm RF I felt like using and take the Bessa along as well.
 
I'd go with the MF mostly for tonality and because you could say you got 35mm covered.. Have you thought about a user Mamiya 7? Relieves some of the focal length restrictions and still light enough..
 
If I get either I'll still sell some of the RF maybe the M3 and CLE will stay. Yes I have considered the Mamiya 7II which is cheaper here in Asia but Bessa is much more compact and will fit a computer bag easily.
 
you already have 35mm rangefinders, you don't have a compact medium format camera. seems an easy decision.
 
gilpen123 said:
Yes Mablo that was driving me to Bessa III as I've mentioned I'll be printing fairly large so the advantage is very clear, however, I have the 5000 ED scanner for 135 as opposed to V500 for MF. Also, the flexibility of FLs and wide lens openings goes to the MP. I wonder how big one can digitally print 135 without getting pixelated result.
Click to expand...

So then it will be MP. IMO there is no point in using larger negative if you cannot scan it properly. Nikon 5000 ED and good 35mm film is for sure better combination than any middle format film scanned with Epson V500. If you do pictures in darkroom, that's another story..
 
There is nothing the MP can do that your M3 + CLE can not. Even if you decide to invest into 135 instead of MF, could you benefit from different lenses instead of a new body ?
 
Having both M's (multiples) and the Bessa III - I would go for the latter. The negatives are amazing and the multi-format gives you some choice as to focal length.
I was off MF for decades, too heavy and clumsy, but the III has rekindled my interest in medium format. The fact that it is only one lens and a fixed one at that does prevent GAS for other lenses. The lens quality is superb, the AE is about as good as it gets. Yes, it is not exactly tiny, but folded up it can slip into a bag easily and not occupy any more space than a M with a 50 on it.
Remarkably good as a street shooting camera too. It does create a bit of curiosity " Oh, look at that old camera!" or "Wow!!!". It is quiet enough that you can take pictures without anyone knowing that you are doing it. Something that cant be said about the RZ or a 'blad.
The MP's are plentiful and you can always pick one up later if the craving refuses to go away. The M3 is just a 0.85 without a meter.
I suspect that the Bessa III will be thin on the ground as a used camera - too few made and those I know who have them - would not part with them (including me).
OK, GAS prevention is only marginal as I keep thinking of getting a SWC to supplement the Bessa III. Trying to talk myself out of it - might succeed or might not.
 
The MP is a M3 with an internal meter and a hotshoe. Get a VCII meter for the M3 and you are pretty much there.

The Bessa III will provide you a lot more utility.
 
Have you looked through the Bessa viewfinder? Holy crap it's amazing! One look through that baby, one listen to the whisper-quiet shutter, and one look at those gorgeous MF images and you'll forget all about the MP.
 
In your situation, I'd go Bessa. I have a similar dilemma: Bessa III or Plaubel Makina 67? That is to say, I have a Makina, and I want a Bessa. Or I want a Bessa as well. Damn this GAS.
 
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