New member of the CV club.

[sauerwald]

I just got my first real RF camera - the Bessa R2M 250th anniversary set with the 50mm heliar. Once it is available, I will be getting the new CV 35mm f1.4 lens.
I have run a couple rolls of film through the camera and processed them, more to explore the limits of the camera than to actually get some real images. I am pretty happy with the lens sharpness and contrast, and as long as I don't try printing too big, I am probably OK.

My primary shooter is a 4x5 field camera, and I also have a 501C 'blad. It has been many years since I have been shooting 35mm regularly. In both the MF and LF cameras, I shoot 95% HP5, but will probably be looking for something in a finer grain for 35mm - suggestions welcomed!

The main reason for getting the CV was that I travel a lot for my work (non photographic related), and I wanted something small that I could drop in my briefcase to easily carry with me. Another area for suggestions that would be welcome is a very compact case that would hold the camera and maybe a roll or two of film, and could be slipped inside my briefcase.

 

[drewbarb]

Greetings Sauerwald- welcome to the club. I think you will like your Bessa- they are very reasonable cameras. I'm pleased to see that the Leica bayonette mount has become the de-facto standard for 35mm rangefinder cameras- this gives us a great deal of flexiblity.

Like you, I shoot primarily 4x5 and I use HP5 most of the time. I used to shoot with a Hasselblad, where I also mostly prefered HP5, but I have since mostly given up on medium format, and just shoot either large format or small with the Leica. I feel the same about film- HP5 is great in the larger negatives, but I find it a bit lacking for 35mm. I mostly shoot Fuji Neopan in 35- it behaves very much as Kodak Tri-X used to before they changed the base; it gives good sharpness, very nice tonality, and very nice grain, depending upon the developer (I process in a variety of developers, depending upon E.I. and the light I shoot in). If you want fine grain, try it in Xtol- lovely combo. For low light, I use Microphen, and this too looks pretty good.

As for your question about a small case, I generally carry a small camera with one lens and some film in a little pouch from Delsey called the Gopix 20. (see here: http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-delsey-gopix-20.htm ) This thing is small, but just right for a Leica and a lens and a couple of rolls of film; it's well padded, it very affordable, and has no other bells or whistles. When I travel with one camera and one lens, it goes in this, and into my regular bag or over a shoulder with it's removable strap.

Anyway, enjoy your new 35mm, and good luck!

 

[GeneW]

Welcome indeed. You're starting out with a fine body and lens, and the new Nok 35/1.4 should be a great complement to it.

With your new start into 35mm, you might even want to work on a different aesthetic -- gritty grain but sharp -- in low light. Whichever direction it takes you, I think you'll enjoy the trip.

Gene

 

[Hates_]

Welcome. I got my R2A last friday but with no lens. I too am waiting for the Nokton 35/1.4 🙂 Although the wait is killing me 🙁

 

[drewbarb]

Gene makes an excellent point about 35mm- don't expect it to give you the kind of results you can get from larger formats- better to embrace it's attributes and use them as assets. Use small format for what it does- speed, versatility, and convenience. Personally, in 35mm, I'd rather see grain and get the sharpness than go for fine grain and get mushy details. Try some Rodinal.

 

[sauerwald]

One of my first two rolls was Delta 3200, shot in moderately low light, and I sure did get some grain!

The other roll was FP4+, and I was actually quite pleased with how little grain on got on that.

 

[rlouzan]

http://www.artisanandartist.com/acc/acamrina.htm

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38000&highlight=rina+bag

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37120&highlight=rina+bag

 

[bobkonos]

Welcome-the Bessa equipment is affordable and of sound quality, especially the lenses. As for your entry into 35mm you will (hopefully) have a camera with you more often and therefore have more opportunities to do photography. And that's the point, right?

 

[Sam N]

I recently got an R3A and 40/1.4 after shooting with a Minolta AL for a while. The Bessa's RF patch about 1000x easier to see and the 40mm is great.

The only problems with the camera are that the 40mm framelines are hard to see even without glasses and the shutter speed readouts are extremely hard to see in daylight. I wish the shutter speeds were superimposed over a black background below the VF view.