OT: Bessaflex opinions?

GeneW

GeneW

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I've acquired some nice M42 lenses and am thinking of getting a Bessaflex to have a modern body to use them with. I know Bill Mattocks had one. Does anyone else use one, and if so, what's your opinion of it? Is the VF as bright and clear as the ads say? I've owned a couple of Bessas and liked them, so I have a pretty good idea what the rest of the body is like. I don't mind stop-down metering, Pentax style.

And, btw, if you have a Bessaflex you might want to sell or trade, pls send me a PM. I have some FSU gear plus an LTM CV 35/2.5 classic that might be of interest.

Gene
 
Well, I've previously written glowingly on this forum about the Bessaflex. Now that I think of it, I even wrote glowingly about it to Amateur Photographer -- and got my letter published.
So much easier on the mind to use a Bessaflex versus even a well-preserved old Pentax, or any other old M42-mount camera for that matter. Please get a Bessaflex.
Viewfinder is bright indeed. Easy to use camera, and to me it feels extremely solid and substantial compared to other plasticky new film or digital cameras. The stop-down metering function is very user-friendly too. If you don't mind stopped-down metering to begin with, this camera makes it as easy as anyone could. The meter is primitive and takes a bit of getting used to in order to figure out how to accurately meter a scene.
I happen to have bought the silver one that is made to look like a Topcon Super-D. The black looks much more like a Pentax. I've used it with a host of M42 lenses without problem.
Good luck with it.
 
Victor, I have a Pentax SPII, but find it very dim viewing.

Julian, thanks for the endorsement. The thought of using a superb Super-Tak 50/1.4 on a modern body with bright viewfinder is extremely appealing.

Gene
 
Oh the twists and turns of Gene's GAS! 😉 Between Gene and Joe ...

But I do wholly endorse (as if that were necessary) this direction ... a better lightbox for some good M42 glass is a good thing. Only wish I could relieve you of the 35/2.5!
 
It's a great camera with a bright viewfinder. I had one for something like a year.
Many have said they regret every camera they ever sold, and I sold my black Bessaflex and can't recall exactly why I sold it, which makes me regret the selling of it even more. If something had been wrong with it, that would have been a different tale, but it always worked flawlessly.

All my Spotmatic bodies work just fine, but the viewfinder on the Bessaflex was brighter, plus the absence of the needle indicator was a distinct plus.

Perhaps I thought, well, I've got all these CLA'd Spotmatic bodies, why do I need a Bessaflex?

Now that I've got a very slight case of macular degeneration (the dry kind, thank God) I could use another Bessaflex, especially since I've got Super Takumar lenses all the way from 28mm to 300mm.

Ted
 
I have both a CV Bessaflex (black) and a Pentax Spotmatic (recently CLA'd). The viewfinder on the Bessaflex is brighter and easier to use, even after the Spotmatic was cleaned. Maybe it's just my particular copy of the Spotmatic, but the center focus area in the Spotmatic viewfinder is quite dark. The Bessaflex is lighter in weight, but I don't find it flimsy at all - with the possible exception of the stop down meter tab that I predict will be the first thing on the body to fail. Before buying the Bessaflex, I had been using my hoarde of M42 lenses on an *ist DSLR with an M42 to K-mount adapter. I would definitely buy the CV Bessaflex again in order to be able to use M42 lenses without an adapter.
 
Very interesting discussion for me too. Actually I yet have to do some more precise comparison, but I can't say my Asahi SP II has better focusing screen than my Zenit 11; may be SP is slightly brighter - but that could be just 50/1.4 Takumar against old Soviet 50/2.8 I-61 I use with Zenit. According to bhphotovideo.com spec page Bessaflex has "split image pentaprism" that let me thinks it's something like K3 focusing screen in Nikon terminology. If it is indeed split image like my FM-3a, I badly want Bessaflex 🙂 Too bad I don't have spare 300 bucks. Probably I'd be OK with SP II or Zenit if I never ever look thru Nikon.
I remember old days (mid-end 1980), quite a few my friends had split image screen installed into their Zenits - that improvement by local repair shop doubled the price they paid for their cameras.
Eduard.
 
Thanks for all the replies and commentaries. BTW, I wasn't diss'ing the Pentax SPII -- it's a lovely camera -- but after using my Nikons the screen seems dim, especially the central microprism. I'm teetering toward a Bessaflex purchase (quick snickering Earl!!)

Gene
 
I think Pentax continually improved the brightness of their finders; my ES is definitely brighter than the H3...

On the Bessaflex, one further advantage not yet mentioned is that it will accept the Bessa side grip and the trigger winder! 😀
 
Gene,
Let me know if you get Bessaflex. Maybe we can meet and I'd appreciate the opportunity to look at the real thing. I was not able to see this camera in local stores. Downtown Camera had RF Bessa's but no Bessaflex. It's important for me to hold the camera in my hands before buying.
Good old Spotmatic probably has quieter shooter, but slower than 1/125 sync 🙂
Eduard.
 
I've owned, now own, and used a lot of M42 SLR's including Spotmatics (and many others: Praktica, Fuji, etc.). However, if I could, I'd get a Bessaflex (and indeed probably will soon). CV just does a good job making a reliable modern camera, with a TTL meter you can bank on, while "keeping the heritage".

The Bessa R is that way too -- it's not a metal miracle of gears and finerey like vintage Canon, Leotax, Leica, Nicca, etc., but it is so very reliable and good and easy to actually use in practice. You don't have to fret about shutter issues, meter issues, mercury battery issues, and where-the-heck did I leave my Luna-Pro issues, etc.
 
Sold!

Thanks everyone. You've nudged me over the edge and I've ordered one from cameraquest. GAS strikes again!

Alas, I have to keep my Paypal balanced (read wife-friendly) and I'm a bit short of the required cash, so I've reluctantly put my CV 35/2.5 classic up for sale in the Classifieds. Great lens and tiny, but I already have the CV 35/1.7 Ultron so something had to go...

Gene
 
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Oh, you don't waste time, Gene. Just one day and you sold color scopar and bought bessaflex. Thank you, sure a pint of beer sounds good. On week days around 5 clock I'm taking route 19 from Queensway to Lakeshore (or around 8 am in opposite direction, but it's too early for a pint, me thinks but is not quite sure 😱)) - I guess I'm passing by your place. On weekends it's even easier to arrange. Waiting for PM or e-mail from you. I hope you'll enjoy bessaflex and it's a very good camera indeed.
Eduard.
 
Apparently I must drive to Canada to find a Bessaflex? Stephen Gandy is out of the black TM, and all he's got left is the Topcon-styled models at $279.

Are they just as good as the black Spotmatic-styled ones?

Ted
 
Dougg:

I appreciate your take on it. Probably going to order one. Camera has a rather old school look, though as a rule I prefer black cameras, but it might be fun, what's this old fart doing with what is obviously a FILM camera!.

BTW, I spent some time with your photos and liked them all. However, were I forced to choose, my favorite would be the first one of the mannekin with the blurred passing figure. Very well done.

Ted
 
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