Zeiss vs Bressa

[ktmrider]

OK, guys another which piece of photo equipment to buy but I live in a city of 800000 without a single camera store (El Paso, Texas) so I have to get input from the web.

I have been taking photos since 1966 and have owned a lot of 35mm camera. Presently, I use a Nikon F and Leica M4 as they were the cameras from my college days. My M lenses include the 15, 35, 50 and 90 and I just ordered the 35f1.2.

I am looking for a second M mount body and the one feature I am debating is AE. If I decide I don't want AE, then probably a M2 or M6. I can't justify the price of an M7 and a Leica CL was my first camera (I know the CLE has AE).

Anyway, how do the Zeiss and Bressa models compare. I know they are both made by Cosina and the Zeiss is about twice the price of the Bressa. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each compared to the other. Thanks, Rich

 

[Keith]

The Zeiss has a slightly better build quality and the rangefinder EBL is longer which means it focuses more accurately with faster lenses and has the best viewfinder of any rangefinder ever made. I really don't think these things justify it being more than twice the price of the Bessa though.

If money's no issue choose the Zeiss ... it's a nicer camera to use but in reallity does little the Bessa doesn't! 🙂

 

[noimmunity]

OK, guys another which piece of photo equipment to buy but I live in a city of 800000 without a single camera store (El Paso, Texas) so I have to get input from the web.

I have been taking photos since 1966 and have owned a lot of 35mm camera. Presently, I use a Nikon F and Leica M4 as they were the cameras from my college days. My M lenses include the 15, 35, 50 and 90 and I just ordered the 35f1.2.

I am looking for a second M mount body and the one feature I am debating is AE. If I decide I don't want AE, then probably a M2 or M6. I can't justify the price of an M7 and a Leica CL was my first camera (I know the CLE has AE).

Anyway, how do the Zeiss and Bressa models compare. I know they are both made by Cosina and the Zeiss is about twice the price of the Bressa. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each compared to the other. Thanks, Rich

Since you've ordered the 35/1.2, which is a fantastic lens, I would strongly recommend the Ikon- for one reason in particular: It is perhaps the only rangefinder body whose viewfinder is not significantly blocked by the Beast! The EBL is also useful in precision focusing. Your 90 will work just fine with the 85 framelines. The ZI internal VF is superb for 35 and 50. And for the 15 an external VF would be fine.

Or, for less money than a ZI, you could buy a Bessa and get a Bessa T body, both as a backup and as a useful way to use the Nokton 35/1.2, which balances very nicely on the Bessa T body.

I'd get the ZI. But if that's stretch financially, the Bessas are a real pleasure to shoot with. I don't happen to think the R2* is as special as either the R3* or the R4*, however neither is suitable for use with the Big Nokton.

 

[Keith]

Actually that's a really important point that Jon has made regarding the viewfinder intrusion of the Nokton because of it's size. It's barely there on an Ikon, quite noticable on my M2 and downright annoying on a Bessa R3A!