Thoughts about the Voigtlander Bessa R

[gb hill]

I like mine & haven't had any problems out of it. Get the color skopar 35/2.5 if you get one. It's the perfect companion for the R IMO. I use mostly a J-3 50/1.5 when I want a fast 50. It works great on the R even wide open so the cameras shorter base length is capable of lenses faster than 2.8. Only lens I have that won't line up is my Canon 135/3.5. Another good lens that is used on the R thats cheap is the J-8 50/2. I have seen good results on the R from this lens. Just remember that the russian J-12 35/2.8 will not work with any of the Bessas.

 

[danwilly]

Yeah, the the R is not friendly to longer lenses but who ever uses them anyhow? My R got knocked off a table in a cafe onto a hard floor. The camera popped open and the film pressure plate broke off and the window over the film counter was knocked out. Glued the plate back on, still using the camera two years later. But, I also bought a second one as a backup.

 

[wlewisiii]

Get it. It's the only modern user LTM camera out there. Decently made, metered, swing back, etc.

Then get yourself a Canon 50/1.8 & 35/1.8. Both world class underrated lenses that work well with the R.

Last, burn lots of film & enjoy yourself. 😉

William

 

[Tom A]

I have had my R since they came out. It has seen a lot of film through it (and it shows) - but it never missed a beat. Great meter, lightweight and, yes, a resounding "clunk" from the shutter - but not enough to worry about.
At the moment mine is loaded with Acros 100 as i am cycling through my "collapsible" screw-mount lenses on it (there are about 11 of them in my lens-stash). Just finished a roll with a Red Scale Elmar 50f3.5 and reloaded and put an old Summitar 50f2 on it for more shots.
As with some of the older Bessa's - you occasionally have to "jump" start the film by lightly pushing on the sprocket gear when reloading (same as with the Bessa L).
Good basic camera - get one and a 35f2.5 (look for the version 1 pancake - best street shooting 35 around as you can spin the focus from close to infinity faster than a speeding car).

 

[tennis-joe]

I carried my Bessa R to about 5 cities in Italy this past summer. I used mostly the Canon 35f1.8 with it and it was nice. Before I got the 35mm lens I used a Nikkor 50f1.4 in New York and was doubly pleased. What I liked mostly is with all the walking that it is lighter than an M 6 and just as good to give a wonderful viewfinder. I was not as worried if it had been stolen as it only cost less than $300. I see about 1-2 available in each day on Ebay.
Joe

 

[BillBingham2]

Best value ever in RF history. Bright finder, great meter, wonderful lens mounting (LTM).

A fun camera that will last many years and give you hours of enjoyment.

It might be one of the lowest cost options but it's the most flexible and feature rich out there.

Get it and enjoy.

I've owned a lot of expensive cameras, used even more and what matters is how much fun you can have with it. I was very happy with my Ricoh GX100 being able get shots in a massive down pour when all the DSLRs there that night were tight in their cases.

Get the R, you will love it.

B2 (;->

 

[wgerrard]

Hmm. My R4M seems to be metal, including the top plate and the back door. In any case, why are people who drive around in plastic cars so offended at plastic in cameras? Plastic that doesn't break is better than metal that does.

You are not limited to screwmount lenses. It's an M-mount camera. If you want to use screwmount lenses, you need to buy adapters.

I use a Gordy wrist strap on my Bessa and my M3. The Bessa is noticeably lighter and easier to grip and carry.

Sometimes I get annoyed at the magnification level of the R4M's viewfinder, but it has never kept me from getting a shot. I find focusing the Nokton 50/1.5 wide open after sunset a challenge, but doable.

Remember, there is nothing a Leica does that a Bessa cannot do.

 

[raid]

How would you compare the Bessa R to the Konica Hexar? Is the R really much inferior?

 

[ZeissFan]

The Bessa-R is an excellent path to enter rangfinder photography. While it has a bit too much plastic in its construction, it was a reliable camera, very easy to use and had a great viewfinder.

The meter system is reasonably accurate, and it's not heavy, so you can carry it around all day -- hung from your neck or shoulder or in a camera bag.

Plus, you can use nearly any LTM lens, and there are still plenty of Cosina Voigtlander lenses available on the used market.

If it's all that you can afford, you won't regret it.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I used mostly the Canon 35f1.8 with it and it was nice.

That's an excellent little unsung optic.

 

[wgerrard]

How would you compare the Bessa R to the Konica Hexar? Is the R really much inferior?

Raid, I used both a Hexar AF and Hexar RF a couple of years ago. The Bessa beats the AF simply because of the interchangeable lens thing. I suspect a new RF might take the build quality honors over my R4M but not by much. Factor in the reality that you cannot buy a new RF and the difference is moot.

The RF had a different feel to it. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.

Will we be buying and selling Bessa's 50 years from now? Who knows. However, for someone who is going to buy only one camera, I'd go with the Bessa because they'll be able to afford more lenses.

 

[nico]

It's the first rangefinder camera I bought, I used it for three years mainly with a nokton 50/1,5 mounted on, it's a great camera for all the reasons stated above. I can only recommend it!
Buy one and have fun with it!
ciao

 

[raid]

That's an excellent little unsung optic.

There is such a lens on sale here. hint hint

 

[le vrai rdu]

Hmm. My R4M seems to be metal, including the top plate and the back door. In any case, why are people who drive around in plastic cars so offended at plastic in cameras? Plastic that doesn't break is better than metal that does.

You are not limited to screwmount lenses. It's an M-mount camera. If you want to use screwmount lenses, you need to buy adapters.

I use a Gordy wrist strap on my Bessa and my M3. The Bessa is noticeably lighter and easier to grip and carry.

Sometimes I get annoyed at the magnification level of the R4M's viewfinder, but it has never kept me from getting a shot. I find focusing the Nokton 50/1.5 wide open after sunset a challenge, but doable.

Remember, there is nothing a Leica does that a Bessa cannot do.

only the bessa R as plastic 🙂
(but the body is made out of metal)
the otehr bessas are full metal 🙂

 

[Bingley]

I'm another one who regrets having sold his R. An R w/ a small 35 (like the CV Skopar or the Canon 35/1.8) is a sweet shooting combination, and quite compact too. I also recommend the R w/ the Canon 50/1.8 as a normal lens -- that's a well-balanced and quite affordable combination.

 

[raid]

Steve,
I recently bought an R to make it my travel lens. It has all the features I want, and if it gets stolen or damaged, so be it. The Canon 35/2.8 is very sharp and it is tiny, or the Canon 35/1.8, as you have suggested.

 

[chrishayton]

It plastic only LTM and its not leica quiet. The rest of the camera function is fantastic. Nice meter, feels good quality, Rangefinder/viewfinder is brilliant and very bright. The fact its LTM isnt a huge issue as there hundreds of lenses for it and all the CV lenses that fit are great!
I REALLY want another to accompany my m4-p although I doubt ill get the same deal again (£100 for black bessa, 3.5cm elmar and 5cm elmar!)

 

[brachal]

I've used my Bessa R regularly since 2004, and it's a joy. Slightly plasticy, but lighter than an all-metal camera. LTM, but there's a lot of good LTM lenses out there. I most commonly use the CV 35mm Skopar, CV 28mm Skopar, and the Jupiter-3 or Jupiter-8. The viewfinder is excellent. I highly recommend the Voigtlander side grip; it greatly improves the ergonomics of the camera. A new classic!

 

[denmark.yuzon]

thanks guys! looks like its a pretty sweet camera... i currently have only one camera, and its a nikon slr, and i told myself that i wont sell it no matter what, but as soon as i entered the rangefinder world, im hooked, and now im selling it just to get one bessa R and probably a CV color skopar like you guys said or the canon LTM lenses you guys suggested.. but im having a difficult time finding one bundled with a lens.. because it would be more expensive and i might not be able to afford it if i buy the body and the lens separately.. so wish me luck guys!!! thanks for all the comments.. i hope i find one soon!

 

[tyrone.s]

Great camera. Beautifully bright viewfinder and reliable metering. The 'R was my introduction to rangefinders. Since then I've had a Contax G1 and (now) a Hexar RF. I love the Hexar and haven't used my R in over a year (I know the disgrace). But everytime I pick the 'R up I kind of wonder why I bothered getting anything 'better'. The only reason that comes to mind is a preference for aperture priority for fast shooting of moving subjects. But given that I use film with its latitude and home process anyway ... well that justification had more to do with GAS than anything else I suppose. Especially since I live in the country and only tend to shoot non-moving objects like fields and mountains and meadows and the like. Ah, but the sheep. Now they can move. In fact so effectively that I use a DSLR for them, and a telephoto. Roasts still in their coats - they run at the first sign of a photographer.

An important point - that you'll probably know anyway. The 'R can't support collapsed Elmar's, Industars, FED's etc. They work great extended - but can't fully collapse. You'll need a rubber band or O-ring or something to stop that. Apart from that caveat. Great camera. I used mine with a CV Ultron 35/1.7 and a Jupiter J8. A CV Color Skopar (35 or 50) or a Canon - all would make great combinations!

So, the Bessa R: An elegant camera that does everything it should, nothing it shouldn't and which shows wonderful economy of design and tailoring of its materials to its function. I'll stop now. Getting misty eyed. Better have a scotch :angel: