shooter, bessa R or Leica IIIf

[Periagoge]

Hello, I'd very much like your advice on this,

I have entered a little while ago the wonderful rangefinder world with a Petri 7s and a Yashica GSN, now i want to move to a more flexible camera. I am tempted by both the bessa R and the leica IIIf. I know these are two very different cameras, one modern and the other not. Could you tell me if the old leica can be a good shooter or if I should not take any chance and go towards the bessa?

Thanks for your advices,

Andre

 

[back alley]

most old cameras, if in good shape, can be good everyday shooters.
the difference here would be in the experience of using old vs. new.

i had a bessa r and i had a canon ivsb, both were in good shape (the r was new), both were small and light enough to carry all day in a bag easily.
i eventully sold both.
but, if i were to choose a camera for everyday carry around use it would be the r.
if i wanted something for a leisurly saturday afternoon walkabout, it would be the ivsb.

 

[Kin Lau]

I have a IIIa & a Bessa R. The R is definitely a more efficient shooter with the built-in meter, bright and switchable framelines and lever winder.

But I tend to have more fun with the Leica.... just because.

 

[johne]

One must choose style or function.
Johne

 

[GeneW]

All convenience on the side of the Bessa. Easy loading, bright VF, excellent metering. Great camera.

All coolness on the side of the IIIf. Bottom loading (cult stuff), heft, feel and operation that says, 'this is what photography is all about'. Another great camera.

Gene

 

[Kyle]

The Bessa R by a long shot. Advantages of the R:
Its got a bright finder ('ve never peeped through a IIIf finder, but a common word to describe the III series finders is "squinty")
Multiple framelines in finder. No need for an accessory finder for common lenses, whereas with a IIIf you need one for every lens except 50mm, I believe.
Built it meter.
Shutter speed ranges from B-2000.
It has a lever film advance instead of a knob.
Its not a bottom loader.
Lightweight.
Buy new and get a warranty.
Uses all the same lenses that the Leica uses, so you'll still get the quality in the images (where it matters).

IMO the only reason for going with the Leica is the image of owning a Leica. Yes, a Barnack Leica would probably be very nice to use, but as a day to day shooter it simply is not convenient. Buy the Bessa R, then buy a Russian Leica copy for $30 and you'll have the best of both worlds (and nobody will know its not really a Leica 😀).

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Yes, a Barnack Leica would probably be very nice to use, but as a day to day shooter it simply is not convenient.

Poppycock.

The Bessa-R gives you a better bang for your buck, but it is ridiculous to say that a Barnack as a daily shooter is not convenient.

Since you're used to the Petri and the Yashica, then going the Bessa-R route may make the most sense, and I would consider it as a bridge between what you're used to right now and something like a Leica IIIf (or the like).

You will find the Bessa-R louder than the Petri or Yashica; if this doesn't bother you, then you'll be fine. Lots of LTM lenses out there to choose from at a reasonable price, either new or on the used market.

 

[nwcanonman]

Heck, most people don't know the difference between a Bessa R and a Leica anyway. While shooting with my black R at an event, a young PJ from the local paper came up to me saying, "Wow, I've never seen a Leica before!". And he was a photographer.

 

[Kyle]

Poppycock.

The Bessa-R gives you a better bang for your buck, but it is ridiculous to say that a Barnack as a daily shooter is not convenient.

Since you're used to the Petri and the Yashica, then going the Bessa-R route may make the most sense, and I would consider it as a bridge between what you're used to right now and something like a Leica IIIf (or the like).

You will find the Bessa-R louder than the Petri or Yashica; if this doesn't bother you, then you'll be fine. Lots of LTM lenses out there to choose from at a reasonable price, either new or on the used market.

Sorry, I meant to say a Barnack is not convenient compared to a Bessa R. It would still make an excellent shooter (and I do plan to buy one someday), but if I had to have one camera, it wouldn't be a IIIf.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Sorry, I meant to say a Barnack is not convenient compared to a Bessa R. It would still make an excellent shooter (and I do plan to buy one someday), but if I had to have one camera, it wouldn't be a IIIf.

No problem. Shortness of sentences can come across as being testy. You never can tell; I don't think anybody of us are wordsmiths.

Besides, I like saying "poppycock". 😉 It's the only funny thing I find about a certain unfunny nonhero.

 

[doubs43]

I suppose it's up to me to be the contrary one on this thread. 😀

There's no question that the Bessa-R is a more modern camera and easier to use than the IIIf Leica. I have a Bessa-T and I do like it. The R can be still found new.

The Leica IIIf, OTOH, was last made in 1956 so the newest ones you'll find are now 50 years old!

BUT....... and this is where I differ with others who have posted here........ the IIIf is built like the proverbial brick. A decent example will still perform and one that's been CLA'd or overhauled with new curtains and rangefinder adjusted/cleaned will do HEAVY DUTY work for years to come. It doesn't have the built-in meter or selectable finders but it'll take a beating that will give the Bessa a hernia and keep right on truckin'. Heck, my 1938/1939 IIIb still works beautifully as does my 1949 IIIc and my IIIf RD..... all as smooth as silk sliding across a glass rod. You have to watch the rewind knob to be sure there's actually film in it when you advance to the next frame.

So yeah, I'll take the IIIf and just to show that my money is where my mouth is, I'm waiting for delivery of a IIIf RD ST body that will arrive next week. It's hard to wait!!

Walker

 

[FrankS]

If I could only have 1 camera and I had to choose between a Bessa R and a IIIx, Like Walker, I would choose the Leica. I've owned both cameras. No doubt the Bessa is easier and more convenient to use, but using the Leica somehow just gives me more pleasure. I guess I like fine mechanical things. The Bessa R is mechanical, but I can not characterize it as "fine".

 

[kmack]

I do not have my R yet, but, I feel that the two will complement each other. The Leica is small, quiet and with a collapsable lens, very portable and unobtrusive. The R is a more modern, convenient camera. I will be able to fit both with lenses into a small kit bag.

 

[FrankS]

Buy both! That's our standard answer to questions of this type. 🙂

 

[einolu]

I would go for the Leica becuase it would probably last longer. Im on my second R at the moment. My first had slanted framelines so I sent it back, and the one I have right now is starting to have the same problem. Could just be my bad luck, but...

Its a really nice camera to use, but I think I might start searching for an M2/M4-2 (who needs digital, right?).

 

[Krasnaya_Zvezda]

Buy both! That's our standard answer to questions of this type. 🙂

That's what I did. Problem solved.

 

[ZeissFan]

Convencience is on the side of the Bessa-R. The ability to use a precision instrument easily goes to the Leica.

Mty own preference is for a postwar Zeiss Ikon Contax IIa -- not as refined as a Leica but an excellent camera with several features that outdo the Leica.

 

[wlewisiii]

The other idea would be to split the difference and look at the later Canon RFs. A nice VL, VL2, VI-L, P, 7 or 7s would give most of the benifits of the R (including meter in the 7 & 7s) as well as the classic older mechanical pleasure similar to the Barnack Leicas.

I don't think there is any one right choice for you. It's going to come down to how you shoot that will make one or the other work for you and that can be different from day to day. My Canon 7 is over my shoulder everytime I go out the door, but I love taking my IVSb out for more sedate shooting.

Enjoy!

William

 

[aad]

My IIIf is my daily shooter. It feels great, it's small, I'm used to the loading and durn quick at it now, too. On the last roll I shot, 70% of the photos were taken using scale or zone focus and no viewfinder. Bright finders are over-rated anyway.

The R can use tabbed lenses, which I've grown to love on my Leica. I don't like cameras that need batteries anymore, though.

 

[CameraQuest]

Interesting Question!

As you can see by the replies, there is no one correct answer. It all depends upon your own set of shooting priorities. What you value most in a RF will be your answer.

Most people can probably take more pics faster and conveniently with the Bessa R, but there is no denying the Leica screw mount cameras have a much higher level of craftsmanship.

But just to confuse the hell out of you, don't forget the Bessa T. Mechanical shutter, TTL metering, long effective rangefinder baselength, compact unique design, M lens mount which means more lens versatility than the R. The drawback is that with a bunch of lenses, the necessary viewfinders will add up.

For shooting, I like the IIIf but I actually enjoy shooting two other Barnack cameras more. The IIIg due to its better finder, and the historically important black paint Leica II -- the 1st 35mm system camera. http://cameraquest.com/leica2.htm

Choices Choices. Who said life is simple?

Stephen