Roger Hicks
Veteran
thegman
Veteran
There are some Bessa T cameras on eBay right now, also here:
https://www.leicashop.com/vintage/voigtlÄnder-35mm-viewfinder-cameras-c-1038_103801.html
However, I'd say the prices in that shop are pretty off the mark, and you would want to make them an offer I think.
Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
I'm assuming that you are looking for the excellent value for money that can be had using LTM lenses.
The original Bessa R is modern, handles very well, and has a wonderfully clear finder. It is the only LTM camera ever with a behind the lens meter. But it screams of plastic, so is not for the borderline Luddite.
The Canon 7 is larger and heavier and is built like a tank. It has a pretty good selenium light meter. Its finder is not as brilliant, but you can select framelines for 35, 50, 85, 100, and 135mm lenses.
The Canon P is a stripped-down 7, with no light meter and a finder that displays 35, 50, and 100mm framelines all the time. It looks considerably less clunky than the 7, and typically costs more than the 7 on ebay.
You can always buy one of the newer and more expensive Bessa R-somethings, and stick an LTM-to-M adapter ring on it.
The Bessa T doesn't have a finder at all, so sort of defeats the purpose of having 35mm frame lines.
In my humble and not very objective opinion, I would buy the Canon 7, and get Jupiter 8, 9, and 12 lenses.
I think the Canon vs Bessa question comes down to whether you want modern features in plastic, or the best 50-year-old technology in brass.
Cheers,
Dez
Bingley
Veteran
+1. I would get a Canon 50/1.8 or 50/1.4, and a CV Skopar 35/2.5 or Canon 35/2.8: excellent quality for very reasonable prices.
peterm1
Veteran
I favour the Leica Summaron 35mm f3.5. While the f2.8 is said to be better (and more expensive) the f3.5 version renders very nicely. But as others have mentioned you need to pick carefully (some develop haze on the internal elements which is not necessarily a big issue but needs factoring into price). There is something about how these lens render that is really lovely - very "classic Leica" in look. In terms of which body it comes down to taste. All the Canon bodies are excellent and in some ways more advanced than the Leica equivalents. But its hard to beat a Leica 111f - but you will end up paying more for one as plenty of others agree with me. In my book a good 111f is about the best performing and best looking LTM camera you can buy. Having said that I have owned 3 canons and they were all fine cameras. Probabaly the best "tradiitonal" Canons is the IVSB 11. This has a better viewfinder than earlier ones. After this Canon went down the bigger redesigned body route. These had an even better finder built the body shape is a bit of an acquired taste. If you are after a camera with built in finder for a 35mm camera thsi might be your best shot.
Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
Before someone pops up to correct me, I should note that the Bessa-R is indeed not the only TTL metering LTM camera. There is also the earlier Bessa-L. It is a a very strange beast, with neither a rangefinder or a viewfinder. I have never quite been able to understand the purpose of that camera.
Cheers,
Dez
Cheers,
Dez
Spicy
Well-known
wide/super-wide-angle lens platform. no need to focus and you're going to need an accessory finder for it regardless, since there's no point having a normal VF+RF if you're only shooting 12/15/18/21