Voigtlander Bessa R quick review
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- čas přidán 15. 01. 2020
- The best web resource for the Cosina Voigtlander Bessa R 35mm Leica Thread Mount (LTM or M39) rangefinder can be found at Steve Gandy's site Cameraquest:
www.cameraquest.com/voigrf.htm
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#voigtlander #bessa #rangefinder
I just ordered one and can't wait to get it in and try it thanks for this!!
Brian's Photo Show User of R, R2 (and Bessaflex TM) here. The R2 has bayonet mount and metal bodyshell, and trigger-winder compatibility which may be important to some, but I only consider the last aspect of importance to me. In fact I prefer the R for its lighter weight, and the easier-to-read shutter speed dial; the engraved dial on the R2 looks a bit more posh but for one needing multi-focal spectacles the one on the R is nicer to use, and besides the viewfinder eyepiece is a lot kinder to spectacle wearers.
Regarding the rubber coating coming off the back. This kind of rubber coating on plastics mouldings is not uncommon, as used on many Canon cameras, and they all suffer the same fate. What I did with mine was to wipe the coating off completely with bits of cloth moistened in denatured alcohol. When it's all gone it looks a lot more respectable, but I suspect a steel back salvaged from a Cosina SLR body might be a suitable substitute too.
Great video on a great camera! I had a Bessa R new that I bought in 2006 from CameraQuest. I sold it in 2009 when I thought film was dying. I really regret selling it, it was mint and not a scratch on it. These cameras take amazing photos.
Excellent review! I had an R2 for a long time, regret having sold it. The real advantage over the plastic cosina SLRs you mention is that the Bessas can mount Leica lenses or Zeiss. (The bayonet mount version)
Agreed.
The Yasuhara T981, a 35mm LTM camera had a TTL first. Actually it's release and success inspired not only Cosina, to take the path for a Bessa R and similar Cameras.
Amazing video Brian thank you! Curious on if you could explain how to use the internal Light Meter
Heh. I used to use a J12 on a regular basis. There are very many slight variations and some fit some don't. Shrug, don't force anything and you'll be fine. Similar is the collapsiblity issue. I had a great 50/2 Summitar that I used on it by taking an elastic hair binder and wrapping it around the barrel. You could then collapse it about 1/2 way for some compactness while not damaging anything.
Ultimately I'd rather a Canon P though. The Bessa was nice but I always worried about breaking it unlike the Canon P, Contax/Kiev II, etc.
L39 mount lenses on this. M39 mount was on SLRs. Confusingly similar.
Has the classic lines of a Rangefinder camera
I have a Canon P with a voigtlander light meter which has served me really well and as you mentioned very well built. However im finding myself drawn to the bessa r2a for the M-mount lens and aperture priority mode. I had an M6 which i sold cause I couldnt justify the price but the canon p is slow with practical use (apart from landscape) ie lightmeter usage sometime leads to missing the shot. Would u upgrade so to speak to the voightlander R2A?
The R2A represents a considerable upgrade from the R, which was the first in the series. I've never owned one. The best I can offer is a link to Steve Gandy's site where he describes it in detail: www.cameraquest.com/voigtr2ar3a.htm
I got mine in 2001, I think. I absolutely loved it, but it hasn't been out in years. Has your Bessa's body become sticky? Mine has a little, especially the back. I'm assuming this is because it's made from a rubberised material that atrophies over time. I also have two lenses - a Color Skopar 35mm F2.5 that basically lived on the camera and was really the star of the show, and a 75mm Color Heliar F2.5. Combined, this little bundle is presumably worth a fair bit.
yes, my Bessa's black covering is a bit sticky and flaky. And a lightly used Bessa R with the lenses you mention is indeed worth quite a bit nowadays.
@@BriansPhotoShow Thanks for getting back. I just saw someone on a rangefinder forum recommending using alcohol like methylated spirit to remove the rubber coating on the back. The result is actually an improvement, apparently.
I shoot a black Bessa R, and have to recommend the R2A (which I don't own yet) , which is is everything this isn't : A metal body with same viewfinder and the bonus of having shutter speeds visible inside, as well as aperture priority. Plus - the ability to use M lenses as well as LTM.
The shutter speed dial feels much better on the electronic models, as it is simply an electrical switch. On the mechanical models - the tolerances are very loose and it feels as if you are going to break the plastic coupling gears which lay inside, when switching speeds. Please rotate the dial carefully.
On the "R" - The sticky rubber coating can be removed from the back. It has to be gently scratched off with a sharp angled plastic object such as a credit card.
P.S - The Contax G series use an "auxiliary" set of bright grey blades as well.
Hi Brian, I just received a mint condition Bessa r. I put in batteries, can’t seem to get the light meter to work. I put the batteries in both ways: any suggestions?
Pull the advance lever out to its standoff position and half-press the shutter release. You should see the diodes light up in the viewfinder. If not, you may have a dead meter.
Canon T60 also
Does the Jupiter 12 fit your Canon rangefinders with no problems? Was considering picking up a 35mm for mine
Due to the massive rear element, the Jupiter 12 can only be used on Canon rangefinder models II, III and IV, that is, the bottom-loading, Barnack-style cameras. On the V, VI and 7 series, the rear element will interfere with the light baffles and damage the camera.
@@BriansPhotoShow Apparently the black version and the chrome version of the J 12 differ quite a bit. I read several times that people claimed that the black one works perfect on a canon p while the silver one causes problems. Would be interesting to know if this is also true for the bessa
should i just shell out the extra cash and get the r2? metal body similar specs with leica m mount
I was not aware that the R2 had a metal body
Hmm!? Can you not use collabsible leica lenses if you don´t collaps them. My issue is that I never owned or used any thread mounted cameras or lenses so I might be wrong. I use collabsible M mount lenses on M5, M8, M9 and M10. To secure them from ever collaps I have put a piece of tubing or tejp on them.
I suppose, in theory, if the collapsible lens is mounted and removed while fully extended that should work.
Yes, you can use any of the collapsible lenses, but you can't collapse them. Some of the older ones (I have a Summar) are easy to collapse by accident, while trying to focus, so a piece of tubing on the barrel is a good idea.
@@BriansPhotoShow Thats what I meant, but did not wrote. It is not always easy to write in foreign language. I forgot an ?.
Can't this jupiter 12 be used with this camera?
No, the rear element protrudes too far back.
Its an ok Cosina with a Leica mount. Certainly not with $2k. Its a $500 camera at best.
Can you use an extension M39 mount?
Forgive me, but I'm not sure what you're referring to.
Like a tele converter. You'll have to change your distance on those lenses...but at least yiu can use it
@@Bumeo So you're referring to the M39 lenses made for the first-generation Zenit SLRs, which have the same thread as M39 rangefinder lenses but are made for a longer film to flange distance. I assume that adapter tubes or rings made for this purpose would work on a Bessa R. I don't see why not.
Great little camera. Beats the shit out of the overpriced Leica bodies.
So the repair guy says it's good on the inside but it's there for a stuck shutter. Lol