ray*j*gun
Veteran
I discovered CV when I bought my Nikon S3 2000 and wanted lenses. Wow brand new, sharp and affordable.... love at first whatever.
Mr K still rules
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lawrence
Veteran
What is so amazing is just how good many of the lenses are relative to Leica, given their respective price points. Of course the paint wears off quickly but I wouldn't have my Ultron 28/1.9 any other way.
traveler_101
American abroad
Saab - a real tragedy . . . my neighbour here in Oslo bought one in bad shape and has been slowly and methodically repairing it. It's a labour of love.
Yes, let's hope. I wish that he would resurrect the production line for the Bessa R and a few choice screw mount lenses. It would be nice to have one LTM camera still in production. At the same time, produce a digital 35mm RF, M mount at a reasonable price as a platform for selling more of his digitally optimised lenses. I think he could make money there, but it has to be "full frame" with a traditional optical rangefinder-viewfinder and a fixed screen for playback.
lawrence
Veteran
+1. Something that sells for about half the cost of a Leica M. An updated version of the Epson of 10 years ago.
ian_watts
Ian Watts
Yes, it would be reassuring if Cosina resumed Bessa RF camera production but, in truth, I (and I dare say many others) wouldn't likely ever buy one when there are so many good deals on used Leica bodies and I suspect that is (at least part of) the reason production has ended.
Ronald M
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If they sold, they would still be made.
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A half full moment if ever there was one.
My read was Pres. K-san tried the Nikon S-mount line and where the folks are vocal it didn't generate enough sales to keep it open or bring out new glass.
The M-mount line of glass is wonderful and it provides us with some great optics to use on the Mirrorless Digital Camera (MDC) of our choice. As many get reformulated they are improved for use with FF cameras from Leica.
I wish I had the time/money to do an in-depth business study on Cosina over the past 20 years. I think it would be a great example of growing a love into a business. Perhaps it could serve as guidance for others.
B2 (;->
leica M2 fan
Veteran
My Leica, Zeiss and Voigtlander equipment all co-exist very well together with no
problems at all. I find I use the CV's even more than the Leica stuff.
problems at all. I find I use the CV's even more than the Leica stuff.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Resurrecting the Bessa R is a great idea, especially if it has improved build quality.
I'd consider a digital Bessa RF if controls sufficiently resembled those of a film camera.
Chris
rbsinto
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I suspect they would have sold many more units if they had bothered to bring out some of the exotic high-speed optics they produced for the Leicavolk instead of the pedestrian run-of-the mill Nikon s-mount knock-offs that they did.
CV did make a high-speed S-mount 35 and produced what, three copies? I would have purchased one in a second but was never given the opportunity. Instead I had to settle for their slower version which I eventually sold to get the Nikon 1.8.
I currently own, use and like very much the CV 21, and 25 lenses, and undoubtedly would have purchased CV versions of the Nikon lenses I do own (35, 50, 85, 105 and 135) had they been faster than the originals.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
This is my almost complete collection of Voigtlander Bessa Cameras (I have to find my Bessa L and retrieve the Bessa R2C from a seriously Zeiss centric friend). Considering that this is designs and production items over only 17 years - it is astounding. Couple this with a lens selection that ranges from 10mm to 90mm it is even more amazing!
traveler_101
American abroad
Agreed on both counts.
I love my Bessa R, but hate the flimsy backdoor. The improved camera should remain light, but it could have a decent quality back door and a metal top plate with all metal controls. Then it would be so cool: the ultimate in simplicity and function and the world's only LTM still in production! How about it, Mr. Kobayashi?
traveler_101
American abroad
[/url]H 164 #1 End of an era by T&T and Mr B Abrahamsson, on Flickr[/IMG]
This is my almost complete collection of Voigtlander Bessa Cameras (I have to find my Bessa L and retrieve the Bessa R2C from a seriously Zeiss centric friend). Considering that this is designs and production items over only 17 years - it is astounding. Couple this with a lens selection that ranges from 10mm to 90mm it is even more amazing!
The only thing that would beat this fantastic collection is a guy who has used all them!
Tom, Mr. K must be getting up there in age. What happens when he has to take off the harness? Is there a son to take over?
jsrockit
Moderator
I learned something new today from that photo... Bessaflex!
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Some years back I heard there was a son. I'm hoping that Tom might know if the son's love for photography is close to his fathers.
I've seen companies try to be continued by son's who didn't have the love for the product not do as well. Cosina has an excellent track record for coming out with products that seem to sell well. They may not always be a home run, but they've never been less than a double that a good runner might stretch into a triple!
Tom, have you met the eldest and can you help the Enquiring Minds out here?
B2 (;->
I've seen companies try to be continued by son's who didn't have the love for the product not do as well. Cosina has an excellent track record for coming out with products that seem to sell well. They may not always be a home run, but they've never been less than a double that a good runner might stretch into a triple!
Tom, have you met the eldest and can you help the Enquiring Minds out here?
B2 (;->
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