The most popular Bessa is....

[Nomad Z]

Adding the Leica option ruins the validity of the survey. Leica's are class signifiers and so everyone is going to say they want one, like how people by Rolexes even though they are tacky. Everyone will say they want a Leica because they want to believe they can afford one and be seen with one.

A year ago, I wanted to move to an M mount camera with a non-squinty finder and lever wind. My first option was to consider the manual Bessas (R2M for 35mm frame line). On looking around, it turned out that M3s and M2s in good condition were cheaper. A new Bessa was about £670, and I found an excellent M2 for £500 (and it didn't need a CLA). While the M2 doesn't have a meter (no big deal for me), it will take lenses with protruding rear elements. I wasn't willing to consider a used Bessa, because their long term reliability track record is a bit unknown (they haven't been around long enough), whereas Leica's is excellent.

While the validity of including Leica in the survey kinda depends on the purpose of the survey, in terms of weighing up the options when shopping for an M mount camera in the Bessa price range, a good, clean M3 or M2 is worthy of consideration.

 

[sper]

The R4x and R3x are some of the smartest rangefinders on the market! They compliment each other as a pair but can be owned individually. Both have better finders than the M7, but not as nice as the Ikon. They also are cheap enough to use like hell! I use mostly wide lenses so for me, R4A!

The R2x is kinda weird to me. Without those 28mm frame lines I have to wonder it's place. The R3x seems better suited to 90% of what the R2x can do, since you can more or less use the 40mm lines as 35mm lines. I sold it after a few months of owning it to get the R4A and won't look back.

The RxM bodies are interesting but LR44 batteries are so plentiful and small I never really worry about running out of batteries. Plus I got a cool little spare battery clip for the strap.

Still waiting on that full frame digital Bessa that will start the revolution away from the M9. C'mon Cosina hit that $3-4K price mark! I imagine I'm going to have to keep waiting a while for that one...

Oh yeah, my L is pretty dope too when I wanna shoot 21mm!

 

[Guaranteed]

R3A for me, well it's the only Bessa I own. I really enjoy the 1.0VF and the big 50mm framelines.

Adding the Leica option ruins the validity of the survey. Leica's are class signifiers and so everyone is going to say they want one, like how people by Rolexes even though they are tacky. Everyone will say they want a Leica because they want to believe they can afford one and be seen with one.

Nope, I don't want one. I did want an M6 for a time but the VF killed that fairly quick. I'm so glad I went to the Leica site and went through the a la carte VF options before buying one. Ended up saving me the hassle of selling/returning it later.

 

[Steve M.]

I've owned several of these models, and have a soft spot for the original Bessa R, but my R2A is one of the best shooting RF cameras I've ever owned. The AE is a real help, and I can see the whole frame lines w/ my glasses and a 50 lens. If it just didn't have such a loudish shutter I'd be 100% happy w/ it.

 

[Roger Warren]

"R" thank you very much !
I prefer "old" all manual cameras.

Bessa R is an old camera?

 

[thegman]

Dear thegman,

I was only refering to R2A vs M7/ZI and not the entire Bessa or Leica lineup.

Sorry for generalizing your statement, I misread it.

All the best

 

[Hammerklavier]

Dear thegman,

No worries. Cheers! 🙂

 

[Pablito]

I vote for the Bessa T.

Me too.......

 

[Jim-st]

Has to be Bessa R for me.

Only other one I've tried is the R-D1.

Film-loading/unloading was certainly easier in the latter

 

[Sonnar2]

The R is missed in the vote. This is my choice (1xL, 2xR, 1xR2M)

 

[arunrajmohan]

I have an R4M and that is the only Bessa I'v ever used. So that must be the best 🙂

Arun

 

[dow]

I know some folks are bothered by the larger V lenses obstructing the viewfinder - but shooting the V 50mm 1.1 on an R3a with both eyes open is a real pleasure for me - and the obstruction falls away. I'll have my M2 one day - but I'm weak and like a meter in the viewfinder. I know the discontinued 35mm 1.2 is quickly becoming a cult lens, but I really love the 1.1. I'm feel like I'm shooting stills for Barry Lyndon with that thing!

I'd love to have the 40mm SC one day - even though the frame lines are challenging with my glasses, 40mm is a special focal length if you ask me - more so than 35, but that's just a personal taste thing. I have a couple fixed lens cameras from the 60's with that focal length and they're special to me.

best,

dow

 

[John Robertson]

R2 olive drab.

Cheers,

R.

I agree Roger, I bought mine after your extensive test in Black and White mag in UK. No Regrets whatsoever.

 

[Spider67]

R2 olive drab.

Cheers,

R.

and another vote for that one

 

[Kolame]

What do you like about the olive one? I mean, well..., it's ugly 😉

 

[chris00nj]

I like the Bessa R3a, but it all depends on the use. I chase around a baby indoor so, I tend towards a fast 50mm lens, plus the AE allows me to only have to worry about focusing.

I also have a Bessa R which is nice, but hasn't gotten any use since the R3a came to town.

 

[Dirk]

R2M for me. I prefer manual exposure. I like the black paint finish and the viewfinder is great for my 35mm Summicron.

 

[John Robertson]

What do you like about the olive one? I mean, well..., it's ugly 😉

so are some people but people still marry them!😛

 

[revdocjim]

I've just recently purchased the R as my first RF and I love it! Even though the Bessa cameras are considered "cheap" in comparison to Leica, I think the R is actually a pretty nice looking camera. It isn't "jewelry quality" build, but I'm not really looking for that so I'm very pleased! Too bad this "old" camera wasn't in the poll!

 

[jsrockit]

I'd have to go with the R4a/m... that is a special body that nobody else can claim to have in the 35mm rangefinder world.