NEW Voigtlander Bessa 3 Medium Format 2009

[Krosya]

I can't really see that the market for this camera would be a lot smaller than it is for the R4A ... that's a pretty specialised tool when you think about although it does have a commonality with other Bessas. I think Cosina's ability to survive and thrive in a market that is just a slice of a slice after all is impressive. They are very astute and will be well aware of the pitfalls of overpricing such an item in what they know is a very limited market!

See, Keith, I think this is just the thing - just like with Zeiss - they have a line of good a pretty reasonably priced items and a couple of those that are waaaay out there. So, maybe Voigtlander is doing the same? Cause I'm sure even at 2K there will be people buying this thing no problem.

 

[Keith]

Hey Keith,

Did you get an email from Kobayashi San asking you to support their dealers.😀

Kaufmman San should slip over to the land of the rising sun for a while for a few lessons from Kobayashi San methinks! 😀


I still haven't quite recovered from the implications of the doctor's begging letter! 😛

 

[Keith]

See, Keith, I think this is just the thing - just like with Zeiss - they have a line of good a pretty reasonably priced items and a couple of those that are waaaay out there. So, maybe Voigtlander is doing the same? Cause I'm sure even at 2K there will be people buying this thing no problem.

You may be right but it still doesn't seem their style. What I do know is that anything over $1500 definitely removes it from my list of cameras I'd like to own! 😛

 

[noimmunity]

Someone throws out $3K on an internet forum and everybody takes it for granted. Nowhere does it say in the attachments that the price is 3K - in fact, on the German website it clearly states that the price is not yet determint - so relax, everybody!😉

The figure (actually, 300,000 yen) is based on a filmed interview in Japanese demonstrating how to use the camera that was made at Photokina. I believe the technician demonstrating the camera (the fellow who mentioned the 300,000 yen suggested retail price) was from Fujifilm, but I'm not sure. And that was before the yen hit an all-time high. At current exchange rate, 300,000 yen is well over 3k. I still guess it will be over US$2,000, probably $2,2-2,400.

 

[Handy]

Jhon

Jhon

Well, let's see. A good vintage folder in a good condition goes for $500-1500. Give or take. Some more rare ones even more. Bessa II with heliar in clean condition can be found on ebay for over 1K. What other folding cameras are there? Some Fuji 645? I think it will be a collectors camera, selling for around 2-2.3K, limitied production. People that want these things - already pay as much for the folders. They will buy this one as well. It's like Zeiss 85/2 lens - very expensive yet a few people buy it anyway, while there other cheaper and about as good alternatives. Collector's item, collector's price. On a used market they will become more affordable, of course. Plus while lens says "Heliar" - we dont really know how well it will perform.
Me - I dont think I'll buy one, unless it(against my logic) will sell for under 1K. but than again - I already have a couple real vintage folders that I really like, so it's not like I have to have this one.

 

[Jamie123]

As you may have noticed the camera has been out for quite some time now and so far none of the people who bought it seem to be collectors. I know I'm not.

Also, comparing the Bessa III with a vintage folder is like comparing a Leica M7 with one of the Oscar Barnack Leicas.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

The problem, of course, will be price. At a rumored $3000 a piece, this may be a tough sell in the 2009 economy.

And since it's not made by Leica, it is not "ridiculous".

 

[Jamie123]

And since it's not made by Leica, it is not "ridiculous".

This thread is over a year old. The camera's been out for some time, it's $2k not $3k and if it had a red dot it would probably be closer to $5k.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

This thread is over a year old. The camera's been out for some time, it's $2k not $3k and if it had a red dot it would probably be closer to $5k.

The M9 is awfully underpriced, then. :angel:

 

[Jamie123]

The M9 is awfully underpriced, then. :angel:

Not if you add the price of a lens 😀

btw, I don't really know what the M9 has to do with any of this. It's a digital camera and should be compared to other digital cameras in its range. All I was saying is that it's a bit silly to call a modern film camera like the Bessa III a collectors item because it's more expensive than old used folders. That's like calling the M7 a collectors item because you can get an M2 for less.

As far as the M9 is concerned I really don't have much to say other than that I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I could (comfortably) afford it.