Robert Lai
Well-known
We've had several posts around here with complaints of things not working as they were expected to. I'd like to contribute some positive experiences to RFF. So, here are some things I picked up recently which performed better than I thought they would. Feel free to contribute your findings.
Cosina Voigtlander Bessa R. You and I have read all of the internet negativity. Plastic top and bottom, flimsy, squeaky winding, RF that easily knocks out of alignment, etc.
I do admit that I'm spoiled by years of using a Nikon F3, and recently a Leica M7, to having smooth - I do mean smooooth winding and shutter firing. But, the F3 with MD4 is increasingly too heavy for my aging atrophic muscles, and the M7 is just too expensive to take out anywhere. So, I saw DEZ's Bessa R for sale one month ago. Since I happened to be in Toronto, I met DEZ personally and bought his Bessa R. DEZ didn't have a body cap, so he added a FED 50 3.5 lens. He also contributed a roll of film for me.
The camera is indeed very light, but it feels solid enough. Winding is smooth, and it didn't squeak. The VF is bright and crisp - virtually equal to my M7, and better than any LTM Leica or my Canon 7s. The shutter sound is between that of the M7 and the F3 in loudness. No, it doesn't sound like a metal garage door being crashed down either. I love the simple, easily seen meter readout.
I had held a Nikon FM10 years ago, and at that time I thought "what a piece of junk" in comparison to my F3. I will say that the Bessa R in black looks elegant but unpretentious. Funny, as the Bessa R is basically the FM10 with the prism removed and a RF grafted on top. It's compact size and light weight have endeared itself to me, so that it's now my international travelling companion. It's been with me to Las Vegas, back home to Chicago, and now back to Toronto again. I can't say whether the FED lens is better than expected, as the film I had sent off to be developed and scanned has not come back before I left Chicago for Toronto. However, it looks to be a clean lens without internal haze. It collapses into the Bessa R without any dramatic scraping sounds, and it is very compact to carry when collapsed.
All in all, a very worthwhile deal for around $200.
Cosina Voigtlander 75mm f/2.5 LTM lens. This one I was reluctant to buy. 75mm seems to be the awkward "in between" focal length. Not 50, not 90 (or 85), just in between. Yet, when I found myself taking pictures of my kids, I found that 50 was too wide, and 90 was too tight. So, I embraced the 75 in silver chrome. Mine works great right out of the box. The RF is right on - no need to send to DAG for adjustment. Even wide open it is sharp. The bokeh is nice and smooth. Stop down, and the depth of field increases. Sharpness may increase a bit more, but I'm not sure, as I don't often stop this lens down much. It is indeed a great portrait lens, on par with my Nikon 105 2.5 (also too tele for my needs at present), with compact size and great rendition. Contrast is moderate, without being excessive. That was my complaint with CV lenses before, such as the 35 2.5 - TOO contrasty. Another item that was better than expected.
Leica 28 2.8 Elmarit ASPH. OK, this is not a surprise to anyone who owns this lens, but this is an awesome lens. It is tiny, but the rendition is incredible. The sharpest 28mm lens I've ever used. Again, not overwhelming contrast, but just right in moderation. I was reluctant to buy it, as I already had the 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH. But the 35mm Summicron in silver chrome is a heavy beast. This tiny light weight 28mm is just the opposite. So small and tiny! Just right for my aging atrophic wimpy muscles. The focal length differences are not that great. Since I already have a Summaron 35 f/2.8 for those days when I want a 35mm, I've decided to put my Summicron ASPH up for sale.
Since I'm away from home, I don't have the ability to photograph any of these items for the requisite porn shots of gear. However, if you have equipment that works far better than you thought it would, why not add to this post?
Cosina Voigtlander Bessa R. You and I have read all of the internet negativity. Plastic top and bottom, flimsy, squeaky winding, RF that easily knocks out of alignment, etc.
I do admit that I'm spoiled by years of using a Nikon F3, and recently a Leica M7, to having smooth - I do mean smooooth winding and shutter firing. But, the F3 with MD4 is increasingly too heavy for my aging atrophic muscles, and the M7 is just too expensive to take out anywhere. So, I saw DEZ's Bessa R for sale one month ago. Since I happened to be in Toronto, I met DEZ personally and bought his Bessa R. DEZ didn't have a body cap, so he added a FED 50 3.5 lens. He also contributed a roll of film for me.
The camera is indeed very light, but it feels solid enough. Winding is smooth, and it didn't squeak. The VF is bright and crisp - virtually equal to my M7, and better than any LTM Leica or my Canon 7s. The shutter sound is between that of the M7 and the F3 in loudness. No, it doesn't sound like a metal garage door being crashed down either. I love the simple, easily seen meter readout.
I had held a Nikon FM10 years ago, and at that time I thought "what a piece of junk" in comparison to my F3. I will say that the Bessa R in black looks elegant but unpretentious. Funny, as the Bessa R is basically the FM10 with the prism removed and a RF grafted on top. It's compact size and light weight have endeared itself to me, so that it's now my international travelling companion. It's been with me to Las Vegas, back home to Chicago, and now back to Toronto again. I can't say whether the FED lens is better than expected, as the film I had sent off to be developed and scanned has not come back before I left Chicago for Toronto. However, it looks to be a clean lens without internal haze. It collapses into the Bessa R without any dramatic scraping sounds, and it is very compact to carry when collapsed.
All in all, a very worthwhile deal for around $200.
Cosina Voigtlander 75mm f/2.5 LTM lens. This one I was reluctant to buy. 75mm seems to be the awkward "in between" focal length. Not 50, not 90 (or 85), just in between. Yet, when I found myself taking pictures of my kids, I found that 50 was too wide, and 90 was too tight. So, I embraced the 75 in silver chrome. Mine works great right out of the box. The RF is right on - no need to send to DAG for adjustment. Even wide open it is sharp. The bokeh is nice and smooth. Stop down, and the depth of field increases. Sharpness may increase a bit more, but I'm not sure, as I don't often stop this lens down much. It is indeed a great portrait lens, on par with my Nikon 105 2.5 (also too tele for my needs at present), with compact size and great rendition. Contrast is moderate, without being excessive. That was my complaint with CV lenses before, such as the 35 2.5 - TOO contrasty. Another item that was better than expected.
Leica 28 2.8 Elmarit ASPH. OK, this is not a surprise to anyone who owns this lens, but this is an awesome lens. It is tiny, but the rendition is incredible. The sharpest 28mm lens I've ever used. Again, not overwhelming contrast, but just right in moderation. I was reluctant to buy it, as I already had the 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH. But the 35mm Summicron in silver chrome is a heavy beast. This tiny light weight 28mm is just the opposite. So small and tiny! Just right for my aging atrophic wimpy muscles. The focal length differences are not that great. Since I already have a Summaron 35 f/2.8 for those days when I want a 35mm, I've decided to put my Summicron ASPH up for sale.
Since I'm away from home, I don't have the ability to photograph any of these items for the requisite porn shots of gear. However, if you have equipment that works far better than you thought it would, why not add to this post?
