Who has bought a new Bessa recently?

berlincontemporary

berlincontemporary

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I am thinking about getting into RF photography again.

Out of curiosity... are people still buying Bessas brand new? Who did? And what body?

I am interested in maybe R2M or R4M.
 
I bought an R2S a few weeks before Christmas. I'm very happy with it and will answer any specific questions you have, if I can.
 
R4m owner

R4m owner

I bought a new R4m from B&H last year. It isn't as good as my MP but, it is a lot better than my Bessa R. The R4m like the R is made of pressed aluminum but, has a lot less plastics. The R4m isn't as solid as the MP but, it feels about half the weight of the MP. The rangefinder patch is very good, a vast improvement over the R.
 
Also, the front rubber grip that's glued on is starting to lift off in the top corner. You get what you pay for.

Roger Warren said:
I bought a new R4m from B&H last year. It isn't as good as my MP but, it is a lot better than my Bessa R. The R4m like the R is made of pressed aluminum but, has a lot less plastics. The R4m isn't as solid as the MP but, it feels about half the weight of the MP. The rangefinder patch is very good, a vast improvement over the R.
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I had an R3A which I sold to fund something else but I have to say it was a very impressive little camera ... great viewfinder.

A little clacky though!
 
I feel that the prices of new Bessas are too close to used Ms like the M2/M3/M4(canada) , hence making it pale as a choice for a M body.

I don't think it's that expensive to build a Bessa as opposed to other cosina OEM bodies which sell for much less. If the prices were slightly lower, there wouldn't be buyers dilemma over a new Bessa or a used M.
-- just look at how fast used R2/R3/R4 cameras sell in the used market at 75% of distributor prices.
 
berlincontemporary said:
Is there something you guys actually prefer in a Bessa vs Leica M? A used M6 and a new Bessa should be roughly the same price, right?
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Well....... it's less expensive to buy a new CV Bessa than a used Leica, but more important, I can use all my existing Nikon s-mount lenses on the Bessa (R2S) body. Can't do that with a Leica.
 
Bessa's can also be had with aperture priority for less than a manual only leica, plus have meters which older M's won't have.
 
berlincontemporary said:
Is there something you guys actually prefer in a Bessa vs Leica M? A used M6 and a new Bessa should be roughly the same price, right?
Click to expand...
I definitely prefer my Leica for several reasons, but my Bessa is a great backup, or just something for those situations where I have the wrong film loaded. I have an R, but the thought of getting an R4x specifically for wide angle work is very tempting.
 
I bought a R2M recently as my first rangefinder camera. Liking the simplicity and the light weight. Maybe I'll get a Leica later, but just not now.
 
I bought a Bessa R times ago and a R2A recently.. they are both great cameras.
I also bought new: 21/f4; 35/f2.5; 35/f1.2; 50f/1.5; 90/f3.5
and I bought used: 50/f2.5 and 75/f2.5
Everything is much better than any of the used equipement that I've ever had.
 
The point of Bessa is AE Mode and build-in meter.
If you don't even need a meter, go for a M2/M4.
 
I just bought my first one... a used R with the Color-Skopar 35/2.4 and a Canon 50/1.8 II. I doubt I'll ever get into Leica just because of the price but this is something I can afford! :)
 
I had a bessa R that I lost. Man I miss that camera it was had great bang for the buck.

I'm saving up for an R3A.
 
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