Rangefinder Baselength (Zeiss vs. Bessa)

[baycrest]

Its supposed to be a fact that the longer the effective Baselength the more accurate the focusing.

Comparing the baselengths of the Bessa versus the Zeiss Ikon or Leica M6, its apparent that the Bessa is considerably shorter.

Has anybody noticed that your Bessa pictures (say 8 x10's) are lacking clarity or sharpness?

Perhaps those of you who are still scanning your negatives will have some knowledge here?

Best Rob

 

[kshapero]

Yes, not always but enough, especially if you compare say a Bessa R2A to an M7 0.85.

 

[Roger Hicks]

In my experience, the short Bessa baselength can be a problem with fast lenses at full aperture at close distances, but otherwise I've had no problems.

Cheers,

R.

 

[baycrest]

Thanks Akiva & Roger,

I'm kinda new to the Bessa, I have a second hand M6 which is a lot of fun. But rather than go for the Zeiss Ikon or M7, I thought I'd give the R3A a try first, primarily due to the price difference.

Just bought it a couple of weeks ago. I'll try it with my 35 Lux wide open and see how it performs. Hopefully, I'm successful, since I just ordered a Luigi case for it.... (Yes seems strange to spend so much for a case relative to the cost of the camera....but it'll make the camera less slippery...)

Rob

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Rob,

With a 35 Summilux I'd not worry (assuming its not an old pre-aspheric that won't mount). The lenses I've had trouble with were a 50 Nokton and a 90 Summicron.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Borghesia]

No focusing problems with my Bessa-T !

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

No focusing problems with my Bessa-T !

Bessa T has a longer effective baselength than the R2 and R3 cameras.

 

[baycrest]

Dear Rob,

With a 35 Summilux I'd not worry (assuming its not an old pre-aspheric that won't mount). The lenses I've had trouble with were a 50 Nokton and a 90 Summicron.

Cheers,

R.

Hi Roger

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to getting my first roll back from the lab and I'll see how well or poorly I focused. I was using an old Canon 50mm 1.4 lens (which draws a bit soft wide open) and the 40mm Nokton (which I find quite sharp in the centre of the frame, but sometimes the bokeh is a bit "rough" on the M8, perhaps better on FF....I hope). The 40mm is great cos the R3A has the framelines built into the viewfinder.

Yesterday, I tried out the 35Lux, guessing a bit on the framelines as I need to figure out if I can get buy with out a 35 finder.

Best
Rob