Newbie to CV needs help!

[hoppinghippos]

Hi Everyone, this is my first foray into RFs, been using minolta dynax 7 and am tired of lugging it around. I"m looking to buy a bessa R and would appreciate any advice on the following:

1) Read in photographyreview that R bought from cameraquest may have probs with slanted lines in the viewfinder? Is this true? one guy claims the owner of cameraquest admitted his stock of Rs had lines in the viewfinder which were horizontally level so if you composed acc to the lines, the pics will be skewed.

2) which is a better buy the 35mm/2.5 C or the 35mm ultron?

thank you in advance!

 

[back alley]

i've read that the earlier r cameras had frameline problems but i think the later ones are fine.

i recently bought one (not from camerquest) and it's fine.
i also bought the slower 35 the 2.5 and it is very nice, sharp.

i think the big difference is the lens speed and that would depend on what you're shooting. lots of dark indoor scenes and maybe the faster lens would be better.
for me i prefer the cheaper, slower lens and if needed using a faster film. i quite like ilford 3200. how do you feel about grain? again, using a faster lens and slower film might be what you prefer.
what have you been shooting and would you be staying close to that with your new outfit?

joe

 

[Doug]

One theory that seems to fit the facts as known is that one shipping pallet containing Bessa-R cameras was dropped on the pier or otherwise suffered heavy shock loads. It was apparently only one batch of cameras that was affected (and not all in that batch), rather early-on.

The lens question is a tough choice, and it boils down to compactness/lightweight versus speed. The Ultron will block a bit of the lower right corner of your viewfinder. Both lenses are said to be excellent as to sharpness as well as "character", so it just comes down to what is important to you and what you want to pay for.

(I don't have a CV 35mm but do have 35 Summicron and 40mm Rokkor-M)

I seem to have chosen for compactness, picking the 28mm f/3.5 over the f/1.9 and the 50mm f/2.5 over the f/1.5. My thinking is that when I'm stretching the limits in dim light, I still want more depth-of-field than the faster lenses offer wide open, so if I'll want to stop 'em down, why buy the speed? I'll suffer the slower shutter and/or faster film needed.

It's a different story with an SLR, where greater lens speed translates directly into superior focusing accuracy and brighter viewing. An RF has that even without the fast lenses. 🙂

 

[Kris]

My Bessa R2 has slanted RF patch instead of slanted framelines. So far I've been aligning vertical buildings/structures against the framelines and the photos turned out vertical.

I bought the R2 second hand though so this slanted RF patch might be caused by the previous user.

From what I heard from members of Photozone.de the Ultron delivers better photos in term of sharpness and colour crispness. Aspherical elements definitely add something to performance.

I've got the Pancake II and so far I'm not totally happy with it. I assume the PII is better than, or at least as good as, the original Pancake (otherwise why changing the optical design?) but unless my sample is a lemon, it suffers from colour fringing and sharpness is well below the 50/1.5 Nokton.

 

[rover]

I bought my Bessa R from Cameraquest, 1.5 years ago, and it is perfect. Those internet rumors are now years old, and not relevant at all to current stock. If rangefinder alignment is a concern, call Cameraquest, tell him your concern and ask Stephen to check your camera before he sends it. Cameraquest is a one man shop, and Stephen provides excellent service.

Regarding your lens choice, both will do the job. Do you need a compact lens? Do you need the extra speed? Is budget a concer? Both lenses have received good reviews so choose with confidence.

 

[hoppinghippos]

Thanks for all your advice, I think I"ll leave the ultron for later, the DOF is a really valid pt, and I think the little bit more in extra speed doesn't justify the increase in cost if both lens are almost equal in quality. My aim is to venture more into street photography and I think f2.5 is good enough! once again, thanks for your advices!

 

[back alley]

i think you'll be very happy with the 2.5.

joe

 

[That Guy]

I bought my R and 35/2.5 from CameraQuest earlier this year. I've been very happy with it and I have no slanty RF patch or framelines. So far the camera's performed flawlessly. And Gandy's a great guy on the phone to boot! 😀

 

[pshinkaw]

I think this info has been posted somewhere, but I just can't seem to find it. What shutter speeds are available on the R2 when the batteries go dead? Is the R the same?

-Paul

 

[back alley]

all of them.
the battery is for the meter only. on both cameras.

joe

 

[Designer]

Hello! Everybody,

I,m just a newbie to the RF world. Just got the Bessa R2 & my first RF lens (the Heliar 15mm). It's really a different technique & fun in RF shooting. Hope learning more from all of you here.

Thanks!

 

[rover]

Welcome Designer, starting wide I see. What is your regular kit that you are complimenting with the CV gear?

 

[Designer]

Welcome Designer, starting wide I see. What is your regular kit that you are complimenting with the CV gear?

Hello! Rover,

Yes, It's seems a bit unusal to start a system w/. a so wide angle lens. As I've been using SLR & DSLR system w/o a focal length so wide. I really want to see how a 110 angle degree of full frame effect would be. Of course a 35mm and/or a 50mm, and/or a 75mm, etc.... is needed to be considered. Hope I could get enough cash! 😀

 

[Doug]

Welcome, Designer! I too was drawn into Voigtlander use by the siren song of the ultra wide! I was just going to buy the 15mm by itself to use on another camera, but there was a package deal whereby the Bessa-L was only $100 when buying the 25mm. So I took the deal and got both lenses and the L. It's been fun, and I hope you enjoy yours as well!

 

[Designer]

Welcome, Designer! I too was drawn into Voigtlander use by the siren song of the ultra wide! I was just going to buy the 15mm by itself to use on another camera, but there was a package deal whereby the Bessa-L was only $100 when buying the 25mm. So I took the deal and got both lenses and the L. It's been fun, and I hope you enjoy yours as well!

Hello! Doug,

Thank you!
The price for Voigtlander wide angle lenes is really attractive to us. I also find the local price of a single 25mm cost only $US190 (but w/o. dealer wanrranty). Your $100 Bessa-L is really a best buy stuff!!😀