Took your advice....Bit the bullet on a Bessa

[bucks11]

After inquiring for some ideas of a RF body, I realized the benefits of some information posted by fellow RFFers....

So, today, I took the advice and shopped for my combination.

I came across a Bessa R2 body and a CV Nokton 50/1.5 lens with 50/75 M mount adapter from another source, ordered both and will wait the agonizing long wait next week.

Any input on this lens/body? It's my first rangefinder (w/o fixed lens) and probably my last big purchase (unless maybe I find a Russian lens) until I'm secure with a source of income (probably 2 years of school left)...

Thanks all...

 

[ZeissFan]

The Bessa-R2 is a very nice camera on a number of counts.

First, it's an M-mount camera, so you can use either M lenses or LTM lenses with an adapter.

Next, the body uses more metal and less plastic than its predecessor, the Bessa-R.

The R2 viewfinder is essentially the same as the R, which is to say that it's very good. Check vertical and horizontal alignment at infinity.

The battery runs only the meter, so if the batteries die, you lose only the meter.

Overall, I think the Bessa-R2 is an excellent way to get into rangefinder photography.

 

[Rhoyle]

I've got a Rollei 35RF, which is said to be the same camera. I have nothing but good things to say about it. It's a mount for excellent lenses.

 

[Bingley]

Congrats! You've got a great kit to get into rf photography. The CV Nokton 50/1.5 is a superb lens. Check out the M-Mount group on flickr for samples of shots taken w/ this lens. I think you've got something look forward to! 🙂

 

[David Murphy]

Congrats! You've got a great kit to get into rf photography. The CV Nokton 50/1.5 is a superb lens. Check out the M-Mount group on flickr for samples of shots taken w/ this lens. I think you've got something look forward to! 🙂

It's a fine camera, too bad they stopped making it! It will do you well.

 

[sienarot]

The R2 is a great camera! It was also my first rangefinder and it got me hooked on rangefinder photography. Shortly after that I bought a SS M3, but sold the Leica because I liked the R2 more. Then I bought a CL, but sold that because I liked the R2 more. Then I bought a DS M3, and yet again sold the Leica because I liked the R2 more. I finally sold the R2 when I had a chance to upgrade to an M6 for no money out of my pocket. I still miss that R2 and I'm keeping my eyes open for another one that comes up cheap, though I'm sort of considering getting an R4A now 🙂