Oh, I can't decide!!! :)

[sienarot]

The urge to get a Bessa grows stronger and stronger each day (probably because I keep reading up on them)! After I figure out what I want to settle with, I end up changing my mind again!


Wants:

1. I know two lenses I want to have are the 35/2.5 PII and the 15/4.5, starting with the pancake. (R2/R2A/R2M/R4M)

2. I know I want a model with the mechanical shutter; I don't use aperture priority, plus I like the idea of still being able to shoot after the battery's died. (R2/R2M/R3M/R4M)


Likes:

1. The R2M/R3M meter LED is preferable over the R2. Even the R2A/R3A display seems preferable than that of the R2. The R4M has the same display as the R2A/R3A.


Dislikes/Problems:

1. Because I am going to start off with the 35/2.5, the frameline of the R2M wins. But the R3M is 1:1. (R4M has both.)

2. Looking to go the used route to keep the costs down (R2. Maybe R2A/R3A if I can sacrfifice my preference for a mechanical shutter.)


Boy, this is a toughy for me. When I outline everything like this, it seems the R4M is the best choice given my requirements if it weren't for the fact of being the most expensive one since it just came out. The R2M/R3M would be next after that, depending on whether I prefer the 35mm frameline or the 1:1 more (probably the former), however finding one on the used market won't be as easy as the remaining choices.

That leaves either the R2, R2A, or the R3A. So how long might I expect the batteries to last? I do like to go shooting in very cold weather during the winter, so the batteries are likely to die sooner than expected sometimes. And how easy is it getting used to the +/-/0 meter of the R2? I think that's the only thing I really don't like about it. I suppose if it's still capable of telling me whether I'm over/underexposed, it's okay. I guess I just like the idea of knowing how much over/underexposed I am.

Suggestions/imput?

Decisions, decisions, decisions....

 

[payasam]

Bite the bullet and get an R2, or an R. Change later, at no loss or little loss, if you feel the need.

 

[Sparrow]

While I understand, and agree in a lot of ways, your concerns about batteries the r2a is really convenient, the frame-lines shutter-speed display and the option of auto even if like me you don’t use it morally make it so easy to use. I bought one as a backup just after they came out that quickly became “weapon of choice”
The 35-f2.5 is first rate, you can’t go wrong on that part, it made me re-evaluate the cost/performance ratio of a lot of my kit
Good luck with the decision

 

[oscroft]

Bite the bullet and get an R2, or an R.

The 35 PII is bayonet-mount, so it won't fit on an R.

 

[Spyderman]

get an R2.

the exposure meter is fine - you'll get used to it. Once you set the correct exposure you can intentionally over or underexpose by as much as you like.
The batteries last a lifetime...

and AFAIK R4 doesn't have 15mm framelines, and is not 1:1 viefinder. It's like 0.5 magnification.

 

[Avotius]

get the r2m, the r2 while a nice camera isnt a solid as the r2m, then get the pII, needless to say I have taken a few photos with it and found it quite nice

 

[Calvin]

Get a R2 as a good start. Save $ for future upgrade, right?

 

[ferider]

Get a 40/1.4 (instead of 35) and R3*

The 1:1 finder is spectacular and gives the whole RF approach a new meaning.
You will need an external finder for the 15 anyways. The PII is a
great lens, but you can take photos with the 40
that are impossible with the PII (shallow DOF).
Maybe consider a 40/21 combo instead of 35/15.

I used to have the 15 and loved it. But when I look back at my 15
photos they more look like lens tests than photos to me.

The 40 is small, fast and of phantastic quality.

Roland.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Battery life in a Voigtlander is not a big question. They will last for a year or so, and two new ones are the size and weight of two pills so not a problem to carry with you.

The battery in my Ferrari lasts a few years, and it's bloody difficult to carry the spare one in my pocket.

 

[pcfranchina]

If you haven't already you really should go to a shop and feel them all. I had originally went to pick up an Bessa R with the 35 combo. After playing with it and comparing it to the R2a/R3a. I ended up with the R3a and the 40mm.

 

[kalokeri]

Thanks, Jon.

This kind of thread makes me think about Rich Silver ( pronounced like that?) and his blog "batteries not included". Independancy is a value of it´s own.

Back to topic: I never had any problems with batteries whether a camera used them for metering only or not. I always have a spare with me but hardly ever needed one so far. But if you feel better with a mechanical camera go for the R2 or - because of the slightly better build quality - R2M.

Thomas

 

[dazedgonebye]

Thanks, Jon.

This kind of thread makes me think about Rich Silver ( pronounced like that?) and his blog "batteries not included". Independancy is a value of it´s own.

Back to topic: I never had any problems with batteries whether a camera used them for metering only or not. I always have a spare with me but hardly ever needed one so far. But if you feel better with a mechanical camera go for the R2 or - because of the slightly better build quality - R2M.

Thomas

I think my spare batteries will expire of old age at about the same time that the ones in the camera go bad from use...really, these things use very little juice.

 

[Sparrow]

I think my spare batteries will expire of old age at about the same time that the ones in the camera go bad from use...really, these things use very little juice.

That’s been my experience, when one set only did 10 rolls I started checking sell by dates

 

[mike507]

As others have stated the batteries in Bessas seem to last a very long time. I have an R3a and have used the last two winters in temperatures from 32°F to around 0°F (any colder than that and my dedication seems to wane) without any battery problems.

The exposure compensation is the easiest to use of any aperture priority camera I’ve used, basically the same as changing shutter speed. Depending on how often you override the meter or bracket, you may find in cold weather that auto mode makes it easier to shoot with gloves.

In any event my advice would be that assuming it does not cause any financial hardship, get the camera you really want the first time, in the long run it will save you money.

Good luck with your decision and enjoy.

 

[peter_n]

You may find a used R4M already. I managed to pick up a used R4A last week. Keep your eyes peeled, especially in the classifieds here.

 

[back alley]

used already? that was fast!

how are you liking it peter?

 

[sienarot]

Thanks everyone. You all make very valid points! From all the feedback, it's very clear that any Bessa will be a winner.

 

[sienarot]

get the r2m, the r2 while a nice camera isnt a solid as the r2m, then get the pII, needless to say I have taken a few photos with it and found it quite nice

Thanks for the feedback Avotius! The PII was the first lens I was interested in. After coming across your photos on Flickr, they sealed the deal for me. I always liked the 35mm focal length.

 

[sienarot]

Get a R2 as a good start. Save $ for future upgrade, right?

That's what I was leaning on after posting all my points last night, but then like mike507 said, getting the one I really want first could save me money in the long run. However, it seems that these cameras don't depreciate in value that much... Then there's the question, which one do I really want!? Haha! :bang:

 

[sienarot]

Get a 40/1.4 (instead of 35) and R3*

The 1:1 finder is spectacular and gives the whole RF approach a new meaning.
You will need an external finder for the 15 anyways. The PII is a
great lens, but you can take photos with the 40
that are impossible with the PII (shallow DOF).
Maybe consider a 40/21 combo instead of 35/15.

I used to have the 15 and loved it. But when I look back at my 15
photos they more look like lens tests than photos to me.

The 40 is small, fast and of phantastic quality.

Roland.

That's another thing I've considered too. The 35mm and 40mm are pretty close in focal length, plus I have the extra speed... I like the 35mm for the compact size, but then again the 40mm is still pretty small considering the size of SLR lenses I'm used to...