Question with no answer

[robertdfeinman]

I got to try the new Zeiss RF at NYC photo expo. The viewfinder and focusing are much nicer than my Bessa R. This led to thoughts of an upgrade.

The pros:
1. I could bayonet the lenses instead of fiddling with getting threads aligned.
2. Focusing is much easier.
3. Auto exposure is nice to have.

The cons:
1. It costs 5x more than my present body
2. I would have to buy bayonet adapters for each lens (currently four).
3. I mostly shoot with the 12mm (about 70%), 35mm (about 15%), 50mm (about 10%) and 90mm (about 5%) so the improved focusing hardly matters most of the time.
4. I don't care about finish, handling or construction. The viewfinder has a direct impact on getting in focus images, the rest are just intangibles.
5. The final images will look exactly the same (I'm not going to replace my lenses).
6. I only use the Bessa for about 1/3 of all images I shoot. The rest are with other cameras.

So, should I upgrade? (I said this had no answer.)

 

[woodphoto]

No............................

 

[xayraa33]

you shoot with the 12mm lens most of the time,I would say no, a second LTM CV body would make more sense.

 

[peter_n]

Right. Get a Bessa L.

 

[kshapero]

Sounds like a Bessa L will do the trick.

 

[rover]

I feel a big maybe coming on.

 

[willie_901]

Absolutely no.

 

[BillBingham2]

The ZI will not make your life better only your wallet lighter.

Buy a Bessa L and cut your lens switching down dramatically. With 70% of you time spent on the 12mm you put that on an L. If you leave your 35mm on R for 50% of the time, you’ve cut your lens changing down dramatically without spending an arm and a leg.

Spend the saved money on some more glass!

B2 (;->

 

[back alley]

or buy the used zi that is listed in the classifieds here...🙂

but i would get an L or a T if you really feel like splurging.

joe

 

[robertdfeinman]

Thanks for all the answers, but most involve carrying two cameras, that's really not the best option. It requires either a bigger bag and/or wearing two at once which really makes one look like a dork.

The nice thing about the Bessa is how inconspicuous it is and this makes street photography much easier (except for the stares of the "experts" who think it is a Leica - the fact that I have most of the metal covered with black tape helps the illusion).

 

[xayraa33]

if the two cameras were Leicas or ZI's, would one look less like a dork?

 

[Huck Finn]

How fast is your 90? Your 50?

Do you shoot up close with either?

 

[rpsawin]

Speaking from a great deal of experience here....

You completed the logical analysis portion of the process. Now you have to deterimine what you want. What would feel right. Would the ZI make you feel excited and energized again? Would it cause you to take more photos or maybe steer you in a new direction?

While these may not be the primary considerations they are none the less part of the process. Best luck and keep us posted.

Bob