gareth
Established
Hello Rangefinder forum. Just joined, and am looking for advice on possibly purchasing a new Bessa R2a. I'd very much appreciate your help.
Sorry about the long post.
I currently shoot using a Canon EOS 5D and two EOS30’s Since purchasing the 5D last December, most of my wok is now shot on this camera. However while I am happy with digital colour work, I cannot quite get the right look with b&w shots. So I still shoot b&w film with my 30’s and continue to do my own developing and printing. To me nothing looks quite like b&w film printed on good quality b&w paper.
For a number of reasons I’d like to try shooting with a rangefinder. The two main reasons are size, rangefinders and their lenses are that much smaller then auto-focus SLR kit. The other is about how people react to cameras. I want a camera that doesn’t mark me out as a photographer in the eyes of others.
I have experimented with a Canonet but found it frustrating. I’d like a more sophisticated camera.
I have a had a flick through the pages here, and get the feeling that a Bessa R2a could be the camera for me. Unfortunately it’s difficult for me to get my hands on one, so it looks like I will have to purchase mail order which makes me a little nervous. If I go for it, I’ll be buying blind. So I have a few questions, and I’d very much appreciate any help here.
Focusing - I find the Canonet difficult to focus. In subdued light it’s easy, but in bright light or contrasty light it can be difficult to see clearly in the viewfinder. Nor will the Canonet focus particularly close, I like to get close to whatever is going on, but I‘m guessing this is a general rangefinder weakness, I‘ll just have to get used to it . I have used manual focus SLR’s in the past, and while the focusing can be very accurate, I’ve never liked split prism focusing, it was too small on my Canon A1, and focusing I found fiddly. As such I took to auto-focus like a duck to water. So how good is the view and the focusing with the Bessa R2a, is it clear and quick or will I be fiddling about trying to get good focus. I shoot a lot of documentary and street stuff, so I need something I can focus quickly and accurately. I like focus to be spot on. Do you find rangefinder focusing quicker and more accurate than manual SLR split prisim focusing?
The f1.7 Ultron seem to me to be a good place to start with this rangefinder. Read lots of stuff here about it. So my only question is as it’s a screw fit lens (isn’t it), does the adapter compromise it in any way? Does the adapter pretty much become part of the lens, in other words you forget it’s there.
While I like shooting with a 35mm lens, my favourite fixed lens is my 24mmL on my SLR’s. So if I take to the Bessa the next lens I would add would probably be something wider. But I can’t say I’m keen on additional viewfinders. What roughly does the full view in the viewfinder relate to? Do wider than 35mm lens still focus in the usual way, or do you have to resort to using the lens scale.
Exposure. Is the internal meter accurate? Is it similar to centre weighted in an SLR. While I use multi-pattern metering in my SLR I treat it pretty much as I would centre weighted. In other words I know it can be fooled, I meter from a neutral area and use AE lock. Does the Bessa have a similar AE lock facility? Do any of you confidently shoot slide film based on the Bessa meter readings?
Reliability. I’m used to the reliability of my Canon SLR’s They have proved to be pretty tough. I don’t abuse my cameras but at times they are subjected to pretty rough handling. Will the Bessa take roll after roll after roll and will it take the odd knock and occasionally rough handling?
Sorry this is so long, but not being able to get my hands on a Bessa makes coming to a decision that much harder.
Any recommendations for dealers? I was thinking of Ffordes. I live in Ayshire, Scotland, so if anybody knows of a Voightlander dealer in Ayrshire or Glasgow area?
Again any help very much appreciated.
Gareth Harper.
Sorry about the long post.
I currently shoot using a Canon EOS 5D and two EOS30’s Since purchasing the 5D last December, most of my wok is now shot on this camera. However while I am happy with digital colour work, I cannot quite get the right look with b&w shots. So I still shoot b&w film with my 30’s and continue to do my own developing and printing. To me nothing looks quite like b&w film printed on good quality b&w paper.
For a number of reasons I’d like to try shooting with a rangefinder. The two main reasons are size, rangefinders and their lenses are that much smaller then auto-focus SLR kit. The other is about how people react to cameras. I want a camera that doesn’t mark me out as a photographer in the eyes of others.
I have experimented with a Canonet but found it frustrating. I’d like a more sophisticated camera.
I have a had a flick through the pages here, and get the feeling that a Bessa R2a could be the camera for me. Unfortunately it’s difficult for me to get my hands on one, so it looks like I will have to purchase mail order which makes me a little nervous. If I go for it, I’ll be buying blind. So I have a few questions, and I’d very much appreciate any help here.
Focusing - I find the Canonet difficult to focus. In subdued light it’s easy, but in bright light or contrasty light it can be difficult to see clearly in the viewfinder. Nor will the Canonet focus particularly close, I like to get close to whatever is going on, but I‘m guessing this is a general rangefinder weakness, I‘ll just have to get used to it . I have used manual focus SLR’s in the past, and while the focusing can be very accurate, I’ve never liked split prism focusing, it was too small on my Canon A1, and focusing I found fiddly. As such I took to auto-focus like a duck to water. So how good is the view and the focusing with the Bessa R2a, is it clear and quick or will I be fiddling about trying to get good focus. I shoot a lot of documentary and street stuff, so I need something I can focus quickly and accurately. I like focus to be spot on. Do you find rangefinder focusing quicker and more accurate than manual SLR split prisim focusing?
The f1.7 Ultron seem to me to be a good place to start with this rangefinder. Read lots of stuff here about it. So my only question is as it’s a screw fit lens (isn’t it), does the adapter compromise it in any way? Does the adapter pretty much become part of the lens, in other words you forget it’s there.
While I like shooting with a 35mm lens, my favourite fixed lens is my 24mmL on my SLR’s. So if I take to the Bessa the next lens I would add would probably be something wider. But I can’t say I’m keen on additional viewfinders. What roughly does the full view in the viewfinder relate to? Do wider than 35mm lens still focus in the usual way, or do you have to resort to using the lens scale.
Exposure. Is the internal meter accurate? Is it similar to centre weighted in an SLR. While I use multi-pattern metering in my SLR I treat it pretty much as I would centre weighted. In other words I know it can be fooled, I meter from a neutral area and use AE lock. Does the Bessa have a similar AE lock facility? Do any of you confidently shoot slide film based on the Bessa meter readings?
Reliability. I’m used to the reliability of my Canon SLR’s They have proved to be pretty tough. I don’t abuse my cameras but at times they are subjected to pretty rough handling. Will the Bessa take roll after roll after roll and will it take the odd knock and occasionally rough handling?
Sorry this is so long, but not being able to get my hands on a Bessa makes coming to a decision that much harder.
Any recommendations for dealers? I was thinking of Ffordes. I live in Ayshire, Scotland, so if anybody knows of a Voightlander dealer in Ayrshire or Glasgow area?
Again any help very much appreciated.
Gareth Harper.
