New CV Bessa R4A with 21, 25, 28, 35, 50 framelines

[Didier]

Stephen Gandy of Cameraquest posted this on the CVUG a few instants ago:

Five years ago Tom Abrahammsson of Rapidwinder fame asked Mr. K for the impossible, a revolutionary rangefinder M camera with 21, 25, 28, 35, and 50 framelines.

Mr. K showed that camera to myself and Tom behind the scenes at Photokina, but it is not on public display. Two versions, mechanical shutter with the display of the R3M, or aperture priority electronic shutter with the display of the R3A. The RF/VF is super bright and easy to see.

The finder is HIGH EYEPOINT! I can easily see the 21 frameline even wearing glasses! These are unique revolutionary RF cameras, the only such RF cameras ever made.

Finder magnification .52x. Manually selected 3 position frameline selector. The R4M will be made in classic black paint, the same as the 250 R3M sets. The R4A will be made in a new smooth black matt paint finish.

Price not set, but slightly higher than the R3A due to the added complexity of the new wide angle finder. Expected delivery April 2007.

Mr. K continues to amaze. The M8 is getting all the press, but it was 2nd. These cameras are unique in the RF world. Bessa wide / R3 set will cover all the framelines from 21 to 90 without auxiliary viewfinders -- not a bad idea at all! Pics and more details once I am back in Los Angeles.

Please feel free to post this info on other photo forums.

Stephen Gandy

 

[Chris Lynch]

oh. my. goddddddddddddddddddddddddd.

i might just have to get another bessa. this is sweet. OMG OMG OMG.

haha

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Haha, score. I nailed it. A Bessa made for wide lenses.

Now...can I get one as a prize? 😀

 

[Ash]

I'm not sure whether I should be saving for this new beast, or wait for the R2's and 3's to drop into my soon-to-be price bracket!

looks good. can't wait 🙂

 

[Didier]

...a revolutionary rangefinder M camera with 21, 25, 28, 35, and 50 framelines.

It's to be hoped to see this finder implemented in a R-D1(s) successor soon. That would kick Leica with their ultrabulky new varifinder.

Didier

 

[Pherdinand]

Clever.
I never liked the idea of added external finders. Never could get used to it. I think it's an anachronistic idea and today's technology should push it into oblivion.
But then, I use an interbelic Rolleiflex TLR sometimes. 😱

 

[Robin Harrison]

Praise to Mr K.! This is welcome news.

One thought - how usuable will the 50mm frameline be at 0.52x? How will it compare to the 75 and 90 of the R3a at 1.0x mag?

 

[Abbazz]

With a magnification of 0.52x, let's hope the rangefinder has a longer base than the R/R2/R3 cameras.

Cheers,

Abbazz

 

[Kim Coxon]

Does this men that we might at least get a break from M8 threads. 😀

Kim

 

[Stephanie Brim]

You'd probably want two cameras...one to use with the wides and the other to use with the normal and longer lenses. This is welcome news to me because I, too, HATE accessory finders. This and a faster 25mm lens would be a welcome addition to my already nice kit.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Does this men that we might at least get a break from M8 threads. 😀

Kim

Would be nice. 😉

 

[Didier]

... a faster 25mm lens would be a welcome addition...

Indeed. That's what we all cry for, if for a film or a digital rangefinder camera. I still hope CV will come up with something like that soon.

Didier

 

[Ash]

I hope so kim!! I gotta say I prefer this news to that of the M8 😀

 

[rover]

With a magnification of 0.52x, let's hope the rangefinder has a longer base than the R/R2/R3 cameras.

Cheers,

Abbazz

This exactly was my first thought. I can definitely be interested in this camera if so, and if that 50mm frameline is useable.

 

[Terao]

Reasonable to assume then a rangefinder-coupled 25mm is on the way as well then. Perhaps even an f/2.8 🙂

I think I'll go ahead and order that 21mm now before Mr Gandy gets home and closes the free shipping offer 🙂

 

[Kim Coxon]

The ZI 25 is no slouch at 2.8 and reasonably priced for such a good performer. I don't want to think about the cost of a full frame 25/2 with good performance. Personally I would rather see a 21/2.8 with a similar performance to the Pentax A* lens. If that comes along, I would be tempted to use my RF kit rather than the Pentax for very wide work.

Kim

This and a faster 25mm lens would be a welcome addition to my already nice kit.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

See, this is the body I need. I wear glasses and I find it hard to see the 35mm frameline in my Canon P...but with this thing I could easily see it. I'm guessing that a 25mm lens and a 35mm lens would live in a bag with this body and a 50mm, 75mm (with finder :bang🙂 and 100mm would live in a bag with my Canon P.

 

[Bill58]

Why did I just buy another Model P? Damn. I gotta have one of these new CVs.

Will it have A/E lock too?

 

[Didier]

Will it have A/E lock too?

Likely. As Stephen said it comes in two versions, one fully mechanical like R3M, one with AE electronics like R3a.

Didier

 

[Peter]

This is insane! What am I suppose to do than to get one next year! My wife will kill me as I have 2 R2 and a R2A! I promised that I will not buy another Voigtlander! On second thought, words are meaningless and forgettable!