New to Voigtlander

[marco.margavat]

Hi to all, I'm new to Voigtlander world but, since this morning I'm spending my time surfing the net to find a forum like this. :angel:

So, I'll buy a photocamera of this brand but I'm really confused between the new Bessa III and the others.

Someone could show me the way to take one ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

The Bessa III will use 120 rollfilm; the other ones are all 35mm.

Welcome on board!

 

[Ducky]

Easy, go to cameraquest.com. Steve has the details on the Bessas and a bunch of other stuff. Look for good buys here in the classifieds too.

 

[marco.margavat]

But I can't understand if the Bessa III has got removable lenses or not.

I'm quasi sure that isn't a reflex camera. Is it so ?

 

[Jason Sprenger]

The yet to be released Bessa III does not have a removeable lens. It is a fixed-lens, folding camera with a coupled rangefinder for focusing and is not a reflex camera.

 

[Phantomas]

Different beast. Bessa III is a rangefinder, but older folder type, using 120 film. The ones people are talking about above are "modern" 35mm Leica-type rangefinders. These do have interchangeable lenses.

But since you're asking about III, there are also plenty of old folder cameras made by Voigtlander. Can't help you with those. Figure out which type exactly you're interested in first though.

 

[marco.margavat]

Well. So I understand right. To avoid mistakes I'm about the new future Bessa III. I read about it on the Voigtlander official website.

So I think to buy this one in the future.

Could someone explain, simply, the differences between a reflex and a rangefinder photocamera ?

Thanks.

 

[PMCC]

Use the google. You'll find, for example:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/rangefinder.shtml

 

[marco.margavat]

Many thanks PMCC.

So. From your point of view which Voigtlander model could you suggest ? The new Bessa III or the others ?

Main problem is about lenses: money problems.

 

[adji_jo]

Hi Marco,

I don't know how much experience you have with film photography. the III will need you to use the medium format 120 film whereas the other would require a 35mm film. If you've just got into it I would recommend 35mm because it is more convenient as it is smaller. I would recommend R3 or R4. but ask the others. What is your budget? because i think you can get a good russian lens for less than $100 sometimes. and the body costs about $500 so u'll be safe if you can set aside $700-800...

hope that helps

 

[marco.margavat]

I'm from Italy, so I'll pay it 700/800 €: it's not the same in dollars. So, give me a particular model of camera and lens.

 

[marco.margavat]

What do you think about this:

Bessa R4A (699 €)

Nokton 1,4/58 mm SL II asph. Nikon AI-S (399 €)

 

[adji_jo]

I use Bessa T w/ a Nokton lens 40mm. this sets me back around 600euros. but i wouldn't recommend Bessa T because it doesn't have a viewfinder which means you need to buy a seperate viewfinder. I'd go for R3 or R4. the nokton lens is about 300 euros and i'm loving it. But you can also get a russian lens like Jupiter 8 but it will require you to buy an adaptor because it's screw mount. What I would really really really recommend you to do is to do your research first to try to understand what rangefinder is all about before you decide on your camera.

go to http://www.cameraquest.com and read up on the voigtlander section. you should get the information you need. I hope that helps

cheers

 

[marco.margavat]

Thanks for all, but I don't know if this Cameraquest could send the products here in Italy.🙁

 

[adji_jo]

I bought stuff from there, I live in Belgium... so it should send it to Italy. plus you don't have to buy from there... but that website is a source of all the information you need to learn about voigtlander.

good luck to you marco.

 

[Phantomas]

I don’t want to be rude, but Marco doesn’t seem to know what exactly he wants, just a camera. It’s difficult to help or give a quick advice without diving into the whole topic of photography and equipment. Asking about a folder camera and in the same breath deciding to go for a different type rangefinder… hmmm…

Marco – if you’re concerned about the cost of Bessa R series then guess what – Bessa III is rumored to sell for $100,000. In euros that’s 1,000,000. Well, not that much, but still much more expensive than any top-of-the-line R.

Since you still seem to be in an introductory stage to rangefinders I would sincerely advise to start with an old Russian type (Fed, Zorki, Kiev) which won’t set you back more than €50, even less. That way you’ll get a proper rangefinder that will do everything (manual) Bessa does and get a taste of what a rangefinder is all about. You’ll save $$$ if you discover it’s not your game. Plus for additional €20-30 you can get an old folder camera (even Bessa) at your local flea market that will function exactly the same way as the new III.
See - €50-70 and you’ll have two cameras that are very acceptable substitute to the expensive modern brothers. Then when you discover you love it you can start spending more to get better build quality, better lenses, built-in meters, AE priority, etc, etc.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Marco:

In Europe the premier place to go to for Voigtlander is Robert White. Huge stocks and great customer care.

If you are anywhere near Rome then go and talk to Luigi Crescenzi at Leicatime. He is a gentleman and has considerable knowledge of rangefinder cameras; although he is more like Armani than he is like Zara.

 

[Svitantti]

http://www.fotomundus24.de/shop/ also sells some Voigtländer from Europe. Will be cheaper to order there than USA, because of the customs I think.

Bessa R2 and a 35mm Ultron or Nokton would make a good starter, so would R3 and 40mm or 50mm Nokton (or Skopar etc..). Doesn't really matter if it is A or M if you don't care.

You cant use that Nikon-mount lens on a Bessa. You must look for M-mount lenses (or M39 with an adapter). Also R4-Bessa is designed to be used with wide-angles, so it is not a good starter-body.

 

[Soeren]

What do you think about this:

Bessa R4A (699 €)

Nokton 1,4/58 mm SL II asph. Nikon AI-S (399 €)

That lens wont fit the Bessa R4A

If you are sure you want a rangefinder camera Look at Robert White's Web site.
I'd be looking for a Bessa R2 or R3 either the M verson which is manual and mechanical or the A version which have an electronical shutter and the added benefit of auto exposure.
The R3 has 1X viewfinder magnification and shows framelines for the 40mm lens as the widest whereas R2 has a smaller viewfinder magnification and allows you to have framelines for the 35mm lens.
As for lenses you need Leica M fit lenses or the socalled LTM (Leica Thread Mount) + an LTM to M adapter. I'm personally biassed towards the R2M and the Color skopar 35mm f/2,5 classic + the adapter. Robertwhite has a Exdemo R2M @265£ + the 35mm color skopar classic @155£ + the adapter @35£ + app20£ P&P X17,5 % 558,13£. But it seems the British VAT is to be lowered from monday so wait and see.
Kind regards

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Yes, the British VAT will go down on Monday to 15%.

I'd forgotten that.

Although many stores will be reducing it today ahead of time. Just ask.