T users: Are you happy campers?

[mike goldberg]

OK... in recent Threads+comments here in C-V-B, plus careful review of the CQ description of ALL the non-electronic Bessa bodies, I've come to several conclusions:

I need an 2nd M-mount body, thus, leaving my M2+Leitz 35 & 90mm's safely at home... during my jaunts around town. The Bessa T is available for under $200-; I already have a Helios finder [looks like _o_ ]... and the CV 25/4 will have it's own finder. Economy is paramount at this time.

- Bessa T users, are you satisfied?

- Does the eye movement from RF window to VF, and back again work OK for you?

- I note there's another little task along the way, and that is to
notice the LED readout of the meter... at the top deck, near the RF window.

Having owned many different kinds of cameras through the years, it's an adjustment I think I can handle.
So, let's hear. Thanks, mike

 

[loganvillejc]

My T is great in all respects. You'll adapt to the separate finder thing very quickly. Many times I find myself preferring my T over my R3a.

 

[ferider]

Mike,

when you look through either viewfinder or RF you will see the
meter LED with your peripheral vision. That works well. I only had
difficulties with T and fast teles and close-ups. For 50 and wider I thought
separate VF and RF worked very well. It's a great 2nd body.

Roland.

 

[Doug]

IMO the Bessa-T is a great replacement for the Bessa-L. Unfortunately the L is valued so low one might as well keep it anyway. <sigh> With the 25mm f/4 you won't be moving your eye to or from the RF, as the lens is uncoupled anyway. 🙂 I think this makes a nice combination, and my only quarrel is with close distances where parallax is more an issue than with a built-in viewfinder. But then parallax is inherent with RF cams anyway... The top-deck meter LEDs are very nice; no need to bring the camera up to the eye to check the light.

I have to admit I don't often use my T. I rather like AE, and have M-mount AE bodies that beckon. For landscapes and touristy work in tight surroundings the T is very useful though. Considered as a companion to an M2, it is attractive.

 

[mike goldberg]

Thanks guys!... Gandy's email suggested that for economy, the T is best choice.
I have 2 Helios founders, and the 25/4 has it's own dedicated finder.
So it looks like, I'm on the way 🙂 mike

 

[alexz]

Mike, what's wrong with carriying your M2 setup around ? I think I'm not alone considering street crime situation in our country to be calm enough to cary your Leica almost to any place. Am I wrong ? Besides, I noticed people in general tend treat to indulgently or even lightly seeng a poor photographer shooting his cheap and lowly ancient camera instad of contemporary mega-super-pixel monster... 🙂

 

[mike goldberg]

Good to hear from you Alex, and thanks for your comments.
For sure, 90% of the people in the street, do not know what that
'ancient artifact' is, that I'm carrying. It would be nice to have a 2nd
M-mount body, and the Bessa T is a good choice at reasonable cost.

Then, there's the great feeling of having 'something new.'
So, you and I will meet eventually.
Ciao, mike

 

[alexz]

Oh, that right Mike, second body is always nice to be at one's disposal.
I'll picking a nice Elmarit-M 90mm/2.8 soon, so have an insane idea bouncing in my mind of eventially acquiring a nice M3 as a second body whose 0.91 magnification should serve well the 90mm lens...I noticed a good user M3 can be easily had for just under 500$ or thereabouts...
having said that, I'd be curious to see your Bessa T...;-)

 

[V64]

I sold mine - I could not mount and focus my 35mm V4 'cron - the lens fouled the internal metal mask just inside the mount.

V64

 

[roundg]

I used to have L, T and R2. I rate T highest among the three, even higher than R2. I like the LED on the back deck, easier to view and adjust speed before you approach your target. The RF window is very bright and easy to focus, especially in dim light. The building is excellent in Bessa lines.

I don't expect too much from Bessa. Frankly speaking I am quite dissapointed on R2, while L is just a box with a shutter, but T is above my expectation.

 

[Terao]

I loved mine for the two rolls I got through it before I broke the shutter. Will definitely have one again at some point...

 

[Burkey]

The "T" is for Top Shelf"

The "T" is for Top Shelf"

'Couldn't avoid the title, sorry. 🙄 I too really enjoy my "T" and do occasionally choose it over my R3A.

 

[Ken Ford]

I really liked my T, and probably should have kept it. They're good little bodies...

 

[pvdhaar]

Moving back and forth between the RF and VF took a bit of getting used to indeed. But after a while, it didn't bother me anymore. The only caveat is that it takes somewhat longer to respond to rapidly changing situations.. That is, it's not really the sports photographer's dream camera I guess..

What is truely disconcerting, is the number of people who've reported having problems with broken shutters (including me)..