recommendations

[foolproof]

hey guys. new to rangefinderforum posting, but have been keeping an eye in for a good while now. (that sounds spooky eh?) anywho , iv had a canon g3 ql17 for a while now, and and im thinking of getting another rangefinder for multi lense use. which bessa could u recommend me? my only quibble is i aint too fond of the viewfinder attachment way of working. i havnt tried it, but i know it would probably melt my head.

thanks

 

[captainslack]

Really depends on your budget and what type of lenses you intend to buy. If you're going to stick with screwmount, the Bessa R is a great little body. If you think you'll pick up some M-mount lenses, I'd go with the R2A or R3A, depending on your viewfinder preference.

CameraQuest has a great deal on the R with the 35mm/2.5 lens.

 

[foolproof]

id probably just use a 35mm on it for the most part,as its my fav, but would like the opportunity to mix n match at a later stage. i like a nice, large enough bright vf / rf on cameras - just one of those stipulations i stick to. hav gone through the bessa r review here and it sounds promising. im still a student who spends all his money on film, so the price issue is something aswell 😱

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Bessa R/35mm Skopar combo. Very good starter camera. Not what I went with, but good.

 

[BrianPhotog]

I started with a Kiev 😛

My first bessa combo was an R2 and 15/4.5, tho...but if I hadn't gotten such a good deal on it, I would have probably gotten the R & 35. 🙂

 

[sleepyhead]

So, I'm getting hungry and irritable, so take this opinion with a grain of salt. If you think you'll be seriously using the camera for more than a year or two, just save up for a "beater" or "user" Leica M2, M4-p, or M4-2 body and stick something like the 35mm skopar on it. I've owned a Bessa R2 and an Bessa L and sold them each after about two rolls of film. It was the sound of the shutter on these cameras that really did it for me - it hurt everytime I pushed the button. The build quality is NOWHERE near a leica M. Where will parts and service for these cameras be in 20 years? Who knows...

I think the bessas have a place in this world ("I want to buy something new and can never hope to afford a new leica", for example), and some of the CV lenses are great and ALL ARE REALLY GREAT VALUE, but I haven't been impressed with the bodies. My 2 cents.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

id probably just use a 35mm on it for the most part,as its my fav,

If 35mm is your primary, try the R2A (AE) or the R2M (manual). For the same price, as Yaron suggests, you can patiently wait for a M3 (50mm), M2 (35mm), or M4-p or M4-2 (the original M4 is more expensive).

I agree that the Leicas are standards of workmanship and craftsmanship, but I think the R2A is a very well-built camera in its own right. Yaron is right, the shutter is slightly louder than a M, and a bit more metallic in flavor. Not surprising since the M shutters are cloth. As long as you are not planning to shoot in classical music concerts, I think it is fine (certainly no more annoying than most SLRs). If you are familiar with the Nikon Fm3a, the R2a has a similar feel and sound to that camera.

Inexpensive yet very competent lenses can be had in the CV family. 3 versions of the CV 35/2.5 (including a M-mount), 35/1.7 ultron, plus plenty of Canon LTM lenses in the 35mm focal length.

good luck

 

[kmack]

So, I'm getting hungry and irritable,

You'll feel better after some dinner🙂

The build quality is NOWHERE near a leica M. Where will parts and service for these cameras be in 20 years? Who knows...

Of course the build quality is no where near that of a Leica, but it is also no where near the price. There is a lot of good glass for the LTM mounts, some of it Leica glass. That's what really matters.

In twenty years no one knows what the status of 35mm film will be let alone parts and service for a camera. My R gives me the impression that, given a certain amount of care, I could get 20 years of service out it I have gotten over 20 years on my Canon AE-1 The Canon is a much more complicated camera than the Bessa, more failure points and to me the build quality of the Bessa and the Canon are similar.

I think the bessas have a place in this world ("I want to buy something new and can never hope to afford a new leica", for example), and some of the CV lenses are great and ALL ARE REALLY GREAT VALUE, but I haven't been impressed with the bodies. My 2 cents.

For the money I don't think you can find a better deal than the R and the Color Skopar 35/2.5 new or used. Later on if you really feel like you need to upgrade to a better body you can sell the R.

 

[Fred]

I have a Bessa R but use a 35 Ultron with it most of the time, I aso use a Leica M7 and have to agree that there is a big digfference in the build and weight and the available framelines.

Yesa the R is a lot louder than the M but in the street no one seems to notice. In general use the noise is not a problem.

I use both models roughly equal time using different film in each.

In general I use the Bessa for everyday stuff when out on my bike with C41 colour negative film.

 

[Larss]

I woud say bay the R2a or R2m, then you have a good camera for at least 5 to 10 years, and then spend your money on film and good lenses and then see if you will change in a couble of years I think der will be som fine digital rangefinderes that youses m-mount lenses! Keep spending your money on films and not on changing equipment all the time like many other in this forum. Become a good photographer first then you will become the money to bay the expensive equiepment!

 

[foolproof]

thanks for the responses guys.

larss - dont worry, i aint an equipment slut. too much of a waste of good energy that could be used photographing. im a student and couldnt be if i tried anyways 🙂

fred - i aint worried about the noise of a shutter. iv worked mostly up to now with an fm2 and an old f3 and i may as well clap my hands like a seal. if ur scared of been spotted, dont take the photo 🙂 (that said, im working on my courage every day. always pushing myself. if i say that 2myself repeditivly it seems to help in situations!)

sleepyhead - where will i be in 20 years, let alone my camera 🙂

a leica ? some day in the far future maybe. far too much money for a tool / camera. never seen a 1000 euro hammer before. but thats what happens to any addictive / status symbol hobby. unfortunate, and slightly prone to it too myself.im only human afterall 🙂 . maybe some day when iv lost the run of myself altogether and forget about the photographs themselves and the joy of creating them.

 

[PlantedTao]

I had the same dilema as you when buying my first camera about three years ago...The leica is something for down the road.
I went with the R2 and the 35 skopar, it is my favorite for streetphotography...even with the sound of the shutter. I later got the NOkton 50 which is a great investment. The R or R2 has the framelines you need to start out (I wish I had lens for all those framelines) and is affordable and will serve you well for many years. By the time it craps out...you be a famous photog who needs a brand new leica MP. 🙂

Cheers.
Jason