should i get a Voigtlander R2a or a Olympus XA

[ivzhao]

(really liked them BTW - nice minimalist style quirky images - what software do you use??) so, thinking along those lines, do you really need the auto features of the R2A?? Maybe the R would suffice? or perhaps a IIIf or even one of the Russian jobbies??

thanks for you comment andy.

actually i really dont know why i want a Bessa R2a.(i have actually ordered it already, for a very good price.) maybe i am just curious about all these lecia M lens things, and i cant focus very fast on a XA/XA2 or SP.

i use photoshop. i shoot my digital photos in RAW. and i have a very crappy crappy scanner(part of an all-in-one machine) which i can only scan the positive photos.

 

[ivzhao]

If it's either or then I guess the initial kick is in the XA direction, your already familiar with the shape and size.

For me I'd take the Bessa, a whole world of different lenses out there and as already stated the CV ones are very good, I have the 15, 28 Skopar, 35 Ultron and 90 Lanthar and very happy with the results. The Bessa is a more versatile camera by a very long way and very light also but it can lead the owner to GAS.

What are CV lens???? 😕 😕 😕 😕 😕

 

[ChrisPlatt]

i really dont know why i want a Bessa R2a.
(i have actually ordered it already, for a very good price.)
maybe i am just curious about all these lecia M lens things,
and i cant focus very fast on a XA/XA2 or SP.

Use your R2a when you plan to "do photography".
Carry the XA the rest of the time...

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[Sean Chan]

The big decision making question is :

Do you want / need / prefer a "Rangefinder Camera" or a "Compact Point and Shoot Camera with a rangefinder" ?

I personally would want both ! As you already have the XA2 , your decision to go for the Bessa is a good one. You can always look out for a cheap XA on ebay, there are plenty, I got mine for US$70, no so good body condition but it is in full working order.

 

[windraider]

If you aren't happy with the sharpness of the the XA2, don't buy the XA. I have both, and love both, but the XA is no sharper than the XA2.

The Bessa is a wonderful camera, and the interchangeable lenses means you can get exactly the type of lens you want. I would say this is the way to go, and keep the XA2 in the pocket for a backup.

I agree with Wes.
Get the Bessa if you already have the XA2.
In my experience the rf on the XA doesn’t really make a difference, as its short focus throw makes it difficult to focus accurately at close distance (0.85-2m) and being a wide angle, aperture selection only provides limited depth of field effects.

 

[tedwhite]

IVZHAO: In answer to your question, "What are cv lens?", these are the Cosina/Voigtlander lenses that come with the Bessa line of cameras. They are top notch and very small. If I had a Leica body I would equip it with a c/v lens, rather than a Leica lens, save a bundle of money, and still get high quality negatives.

I did some interior shots for a city library with the Bessa L and the c/v 25/4 and they were enlared to 11/14" and are very sharp.

Ted