Please recommend a Bessa for the 35/1.2

[bessasebastian]

I already decided to buy a Bessa with a 35/1.2 Nokton. Now which body will serve me best?

Is it possible to use the 35/1.2 on the R3A/R3M with 40mm framelines? Or will I have problems with focusing especially wide open?

 

[Tom A]

The Bessa R3's will work fine with the 35f1.2. Focussing wide open is no problem, if you are careful. this is not a function of the camera(s), but the fact at f1.2 you have a very shallow depth of field. On the R3 the hood of the 35 intrudes into the 40 frames a bit (particularly when using the vented hood, the straight one intrudes less). The Bessa's have a short rangefinder base so you have to consider that.
Apart from my M2's or M6 0,56's I use the R4M with the 35/1,2 (the few times when I remove a 21 from it!). The frames are ok and the smaller "view" gives me less intrusion of the hood.
My suggestion is the R3M or A, depending on the amount of control you want to have over the exposure. The A's will incorporate light readings from spot lights/street lights and skew the exposure. On the M you soon learn how to use the EV setting to compensate.
The 35f1,2 is a bit of a magical lens. Very good performance and remarkably flare free. Remember. at f1.2 and with high speed film like a 1600/3200 asa film, the lens "sees" better in the dark than you do.

 

[Nando]

I'm using the Beast (aka 35 Nokton) on my Bessa-T with the CV 35mm metal Brightline. It works extremely well and it seems almost like the Bessa-T was made for this lens. There is no interference with the RF (unless your eye is not centred) and also no interference with the 35mm Brightline VF. In fact, at close focus, the very edge of the standard hood meets perfectly with the bottom frameline of the VF. Also, I found that the camera balances very well. I used to complain about the strap lugs because the camera used to hang awkwardly with the lens pointing upwards a bit. However, with the Beast mounted the camera hangs absolutely perfectly. The big brightline is very nice in the dark and the 1.5x magnification RF makes for accurate focusing but you do have to live with having separate rf and vf's.

I don't have any experience with othe CV cameras unfortunately. I liked using the lens on MP too but, to me, it seems better balanced on the lighter Bessa.