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

[dcsang]

I just hope we can still buy film 10 yrs from now to use in this new marvel.

I started my hoarding about a year or so ago 😀

All of it is nicely stored in my freezer 🙂

Dave

 

[BillBingham2]

Peter,

"On second thought, words are meaningless and forgettable!"

IMHO there are two types of women, those that remember everything you have ever said and those who have been dead five years or more.

Nice try through, points for execution, but nothing on style.

All,

The $64,000 USD question is well we see a longer RF base length in it’s sister cameras? It would be wonderful to be able to focus a 85/2 or 105/2.5 wide open close up on a Bessa other than a T.

B2 (;->

 

[popstar]

Holy smokes!! This is very interesting news. Can't wait to Gandy to get photos and give a more comprehensive review. Cosina does think up some interesting things...

 

[Benny Boy]

It would be nice if the finder had framelines for the 40/1.4 as well. The 40/25 combination is an excellent one and my favorite. Perhaps some index corners could be added to one of the other framelines for the 40, i.e., 40 corners and 50 frameline together, or 35 frameline and 40 corners together. Alternatively, since there is a three position frameline selector, and only five framelines currently identified, perhaps the 40 frameline could be paired with one of the other identified framelines, i.e., two sets of framelines per setting.

You listening Mr. K and Mr. Gandy?

 

[Crasis]

Aww what? No framelines for the 12mm? For shame 😉

 

[bmicklea]

I feel like a weirdo - I dig accessory finders! 😱

You're not the only one - I find something quite liberating about slapping on my 21 and aux. finder, setting my exposure, setting my hyperfocal distance and shooting away without ever having to worry about focus or metering. I also find that it makes an RF even more unintimidating. I've had people smile as I took their picture in the street then tentatively ask what kind of camera it is. It looks almost alien to most people.

 

[Didier]

R4A / R4M - More details from Stephen Gandy

R4A / R4M - More details from Stephen Gandy

Just picked up from the CVUG:

1) the new R4A / R4M cameras look pretty much like the existing R3A / R3M, with the same RF baselength
2) Tom and I suggested a 40mm frameline instead of the 50, time will tell what the production cameras have
3) the new R4A matte black paint finish actually looks a lot like a black chrome finish, but it's matte black paint
4) no other new Voigtlander products announced at this time, but lots of others were talked about -- which I can't discuss
5) I am not sure RF newbies realize what a BIG deal these cameras are. There has never been RF cameras with super wide framelines like this before, in the entire the 74 year history of coupled RF/VF Leica mount rangefinder cameras, going all the way back to the 1932 Leica II. This is a great time to be a 35mm RF film photographer!

from a hotel Internet PC in little ol' Wetzlar.

Stephen Gandy

 

[haagen_dazs]

WOW! I cant wait to see the new R4x come out!
This is incredible

I have a question.. haha
Are there photos of Mr K and Stephen?
Just wanna see how they look like =) 😛

 

[Chris Lynch]

i can't stress enough how much of a relief these cameras are to me.
Yes, i'm a total noob to RF's, but i only want to shoot wide (and a little "normal") with them. I've already gotten rid of the R3M (yeah, that quick), since it REALLY bothered me how much of the finder i couldn't easily see with my glasses.

Yeah, i'm too much of an SLR guy, and that prob won't change. If i shoot film now, i'll just be for fun, and the R4A sounds like it'll be loads of fun.

 

[Didier]

Are there photos of Mr K and Stephen?

At least of SG. Try google...

 

[haagen_dazs]

At least of SG. Try google...

actualyl i dont know how to look coz i never seen them before.
maybe someone can point it out =)
thanks guys!

 

[Benny Boy]

Further to my previous e-mail, the framelines could be paired 21/35, 25/40 and 28/50. All very logical lens pairings. Sweet!

 

[Al Patterson]

I really like this announcement. I've been playing the M6 v. M4-P v. Zeiss Ikon game again, but with these available with more wide framelines, I think I'll end up with a R4M at some point. Spend the difference on film...

 

[AusDLK]

This is a pretty cool deal...

I just hope that the designers at CV make some reliability strides with their rangefinder design. I've had two CV products and both ended up with whacked out rangefinders and/or frame lines.

This could put the new Tri-Elmar back into play for me...

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

I've been looking around, ready to get -one- more body. This looks like exactly what I am looking for, and I am willing to wait to make sure that is the case. 😛

 

[BillBingham2]

Skip the 50mm frame lines and put a 40mm in it's place. While I would rather have the 25mm frame all by itself, Benny's suggestion is not bad. This does sound like a great camera.

B2 (;->

 

[Nando]

I feel like a weirdo - I dig accessory finders! 😱

Me too.

Anyway, it looks like a new R4M would compliment my Bessa-T nicely.

 

[Harry Lime]

Very cool news.

Now, how about a reasonably priced reincarnation of the AUFSU finder (35/50 or 28/35/50)?

🙂

 

[alan davus]

Now that the R4 cameras have been confirmed what great news it is. Surely they'll sell bucket loads of them. I for one use my lenses in this order 35 21 28 50 90. And the high eyepoint has to be a bonus. I've been debating for a while now about getting a second body to complement my Hexar rf and the R4m would be perfect. Only thing the Hexar is built like the proverbial brick outhouse so I'd love to think the R4m would be in the same ballpark build wise. Can anyone else see the irony that the only new film cameras being produced are rangefinders. 35mm photography going back to where it all started. Same with film as one might guess that colour film will die before black and white.

 

[Chris Lynch]

i think the reason why new RF's are dropping, but not new/worthy SLR's is that RF's are unique enough that people still shoot them for fun, out of passion for the art.

I know that a RF will be the primary film-carrier in my arsenal