SLR to Bessa?..maybe

[vfrazz]

First post. Feels warm and cozy in here. Let's give it a try: I'm thinking of moving from SLR to RF...Bessa, in particular. One of the site advertisers has a new Bessa R with a 35/2.5 Skopar lens that falls right into my budget range. I'm thinking of that lens, plus I would add the 50/ 1.5 Nocton and 90/ 3.5 Lanthar as quickly as I could (just means giving up a few meals, that's all). I don't want to deal with external finders. I am through with buying and using used lenses. I will continue using filters. I wear bi-focal glasses. I shoot mostly B&W (HP5). I am a deliberate shooter. Here's where I'm coming from with regard to equipment:

I've got a Nikon FM3a with 28/50/105/135 Nikon lenses. And I've got a Rollei 35s. When I look over my best pictures, I find the Rollei 35s, with its Sonnar formula lens comes up most often--overwhelmingly the sharpest, with nicest contrast. I would let the Rollei 35s go (to be replaced by the Bessa) because I want the flexibility of lenses, plus the zone focusing makes me crazy sometimes, and the light meter view is too wide. I'd let the Nikon kit go, probably in short order (prefer a smaller, lighter outfit overall).

But...here's the primary concern: given the outfit I've selected (above), and given the superb results of the Sonnar lens, will I be at all disappointed with the Bessa lenses?

 

[biomed]

The 35/2.5 Skopar is probably my most used lens. I really like the perspective of the 35. The Skopar is small, sharp and seems to have good contrast (I shoot XP2 Super most of the time). I have never shot with a Bessa R, but I hear lots of good about it. I use a Bessa R3A and a Bessa L. The rest of the lenses I shoot with are the CV21 (my second most used lens), CV 50/1.5, CV 75/2.5 and the CV 15/4.5. I am very pleased with the performance of these lenses. The 15 is a difficult lens to use at times and lives on the Bessa L. If it is possible, hold on to the Nikon kit. SLRs are always good for close up and tele work. Good luck and enjoy your Bessa when you get it. Welcome to Rangefinderforum.

 

[physiognomy]

Welcome to RFF... As mentioned above the CV 35/2.5 is a great lens and knowing the sharpness of the rollei 35 sonnar you will like it too... If you really want the sonnar look rollei did produce one with it's rebadged Bessa R2... Up until recently I saw them advertised in shutterbug.

Good luck with your decision!

Peter

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

You will not be disappointed with Voigtlander lenses. But you know that already from hanging out here.

Welcome.

 

[pcfranchina]

Hello and welcome! The Bessa's have a great reputation here. I too went to pick up a Bessa R with the 35. After picking it up and handling it, I felt it was a little too plasticy compared to the R2a and R3a. I had the intention of spending $399 and I eneded up spending a lot more on a R3a with the 40 1.4.
It just felt better in my hand. (of course I had to get approval from the wife)
Try and feel both of them before you buy. How does the R3m compare?

 

[Sparrow]

This is the 35

 

[Aurelius]

The lens lineup will not fail!
And do not forget the 75 mm Color Heliar. Sharp, nice bokeh and works very well together with Neopan 1600. The Color Heliar is my favourite. Well the 21 is too!

I had a Bessa R. Nice camera and no problems, but perhaps the R3A is better option still. M mount, A, and a bit moore robust.

 

[cjm]

You shouldn't be dissapointed with the Voigtlander lenses. If there is any doubt, look at the photos on Flickr taken with Bessa's and Voigtlander lenses.

 

[Spyderman]

If a Bessa, then definitely R3[a|m]. It has 1:1 finder, which is good if you wear glasses.

Get just a couple of lenses. 3 is a good kit. If you're after speed: Ultrons and Noktons. If you're after small size then Heliars and Skopars.

And one more advice: don't sell the Nikon stuff. You would regret it. 😉

BTW: Welcome to the forum 😀

 

[Terao]

No, he needs to give the Nikon kit to me

/jedi mind trick 🙂

 

[vfrazz]

Many thanks to all who have responded...I've taken notes, and I am reconsidering the advanced "R" bodys, plus the 35mm in place of the 50mm , and perhaps the 75 instead of the 90.

Stuart: as they say: one picture worth 1,000...etc...wow, that's convincing!

Spyderman: that was a nice, concise summary of the four lenses--I've underlined that note.

Terao: gee, I'd give you my gear, but what would you want with that nasty old Nikon stuff?

Jon C: "you know that already..." No, Jon, I didn't know that already, because the key was how well the Bessa's glass compared with my Sonnar. My gem correspondents (above) have reassured me, however.

Thanks again, Bessa folks...

 

[fuwen]

Bessa and Voigtlander are good and value for money. But IMHO, do not let go your Rollei 35S, because the 40mm Sonnar is a killer! It has a sharp yet smooth kind of character which u may not get from the Voigtlander.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

vfrazz: I look forward to seeing your photos.

 

[dostacos]

First post. Feels warm and cozy in here. Let's give it a try: I'm thinking of moving from SLR to RF...Bessa, in particular. One of the site advertisers has a new Bessa R with a 35/2.5 Skopar lens that falls right into my budget range. I'm thinking of that lens, plus I would add the 50/ 1.5 Nocton and 90/ 3.5 Lanthar as quickly as I could (just means giving up a few meals, that's all). I don't want to deal with external finders. I am through with buying and using used lenses. I will continue using filters. I wear bi-focal glasses. I shoot mostly B&W (HP5). I am a deliberate shooter. Here's where I'm coming from with regard to equipment:

I've got a Nikon FM3a with 28/50/105/135 Nikon lenses. And I've got a Rollei 35s. When I look over my best pictures, I find the Rollei 35s, with its Sonnar formula lens comes up most often--overwhelmingly the sharpest, with nicest contrast. I would let the Rollei 35s go (to be replaced by the Bessa) because I want the flexibility of lenses, plus the zone focusing makes me crazy sometimes, and the light meter view is too wide. I'd let the Nikon kit go, probably in short order (prefer a smaller, lighter outfit overall).

But...here's the primary concern: given the outfit I've selected (above), and given the superb results of the Sonnar lens, will I be at all disappointed with the Bessa lenses?

ah...no😀

the 35 is my #1 lens, the 50 is also very good I have not played with the 90 yet to give a real good comment, however if it is as good as the others it will be fine choice.

 

[vfrazz]

Jon: "look forward to seeing your photos..." probably not. I have a real lack of confidence in my work, and I have just not posted anywhere. I do review what others have done, and I do see photos, details, and techniques that look way better than mine, and some that don't. I'm not sure if it's a case of withholding because of wanting to please everyone, being too thin skinned for the inevitable criticism, or just being too self critical...and I know the book says I have to please my own sense of what is good and what is art. For now, I have one choice shot of every two or three rolls enlarged and put into an album. I'm sure that others have have felt this way and got over it, and probably some who are still hiding their light under a bushel. I'm close to 70 years old (started photography 5 years ago), and I figure I've got 20 to 25 years of shooting left, and I'm sure that at some point along the line I'll "come out".

There's also a technological component to my reluctance to post, and that is that I have a crummy Lexmark flatbed scanner that produces eBay-acceptable pictures, but not photo-site quality pictures (I think). Perhaps it's an excuse for inaction, but I feel I should upgrade the scanner before going for the gold. Regards...

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

vfrazz: Look in the gallery and you'll see some great photos, but just as many awful pictures which I am sure are much worse than yours. Odd thing is because everybody's nice in here they just ignore the trashy photos and don't make any comments about them.

As for scanning, my scanner too is no good so I have the negatives scanned at a local photo shop onto a CD. It's not at all expensive, the going rate is about €5.

Finally, look in the Critique forum and see the standard. It's 'very variable'. But also look at how comments are worded so as to be constructive and helpful, not to damage self esteem.

Welcome again, and see you around.