What to choose? CL or R

[Chuck A]

A used R4 and a 50mm Summicron 3-cam, both in good condition would be about $750-800.

I was speaking of a Bessa R not a Leica R. I would have to find a superb barely used CL/CLE to make it worthwhile I think. I wil look around some and read more as well. Thanks for all your input. It is great to have so many choices though.

 

[chug]

There are some cheap Bessa R's around atm in the classified section, both with 35mm lenses. They are much cheaper and more modern than the CL/CLE. ie. if its broke, you wont have to pay a fortune to fix it. And they are just damn good cameras 🙂

 

[ErnestoJL]

IMHO, If I had to buy a new camera to start over, I would choose the Bessa R2a or R3a. First of all, they are NEW cameras. A Leica CL is surely a second hand one at least, might have hidden or soon to be problems like light seals, shutter, and some others due only to age and normal use. Be noted that I´m in no way talking about very hard use or even abuse! There is another argument in favor of the Voigtländers, the price. Also CL lens availability and it´s price is something to think about for a while.
After 35 yrs using only 35 mm SLRs I found surprisingly that unless having specific purposes in mind, I´ve made 95% of all those yrs. shooting with just the normal lens. And I went back to basics with my RFs, and then the Kiev4 was brought back to life. Later came some others. I never needed any better tele lens than getting closer to the subject.

 

[Chuck A]

IMHO, If I had to buy a new camera to start over, I would choose the Bessa R2a or R3a. First of all, they are NEW cameras. A Leica CL is surely a second hand one at least, might have hidden or soon to be problems like light seals, shutter, and some others due only to age and normal use. Be noted that I´m in no way talking about very hard use or even abuse!

After 35 yrs using only 35 mm SLRs I found surprisingly that unless having specific purposes in mind, I´ve made 95% of all those yrs. shooting with just the normal lens. And I went back to basics with my RFs, and then the Kiev4 was brought back to life. Later came some others. I never needed any better tele lens than getting closer to the subject.

Ernesto, Why would you pick the R2A/R3A over the R? Is it the aperture priority or the M mount? They would be nice but I have problems paying 2.5 times the price for them. 😕

I see your point about the CL. It would probably be a gamble for a user camera. And I will be using this camera alot. I was always interested in this camera. Maybe later, after I get a user rangefinder, I will get one to play with.

As far as using the normal lens goes, I would agree there also. I find that I am more creative if I put a sharp prime on my camera and use that for a long period. It is amazing how using just one focal length helps me to see my shots better. 😀

I have a DSLR that I have recently put a prime on and I love it. I find myself using my expensive zooms much less. The DSLR is a Canon XT and it is nice and small with the prime on it. I imagine that it is not much larger than an Bessa R. I have yet to actually see one. 😎

 

[einolu]

Get the R and the 35 thats in the classified right now, you can always sell it for the same price that you got it if you made a bad choice (I doupt it, many people seem to like the R). Mine is still in the mail...

 

[Bertram2]

The R may even be a little louder than the R2, because of the plastic body.

The opposite is true. The R2 is a bit louder because of the metal body which produces more resonance. There have been some who were disapointed when they changed to the R2.
Leaving aside all emotions plastic has some serious advantages too. The most important one for me is the feather weight of R and L . One of the reasons I never felt like upgrading from R to R2.

In general I don't like used cameras and lenses very much, these are precision tools which must be handled with care. And what do you know about the former owner (s)? I' d prefer the new R plus lens as it is offered at cameraquest.


Regards,
Bertram