Bessa R2a deal

[Paul Ziz]

Hello,

So I came across a Voigtlander Bessa R2a with a Nokton 40mm 1.4 (with other stuff like a bag, tripod, filters) for 650 euros. I've been looking for a Bessa R2a for quite some time now, but this deal looks a bit too cheap compared to Ebay listings I saw in Europe. What should I look out for before buying it? Maybe you can give me some tips on how to properly test it out without putting in a roll of film? Because the body looks almost mint (few small scratches on the hot shoe mount).

 

[Alan9940]

Yeah, that deal sounds almost too good to be true. If ya go for it, make sure you can return it and purchase via some means that provides you protection. A close visual inspection, a dry run listening to shutter speeds, and a test roll of film should tell ya all you need to know.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Those cameras are like lottery sometimes. Some are notorious for non stopping RF alignment drift. And to get access to adjustment screw... hot shoe has to come off.
Look at the shutter blades. If camera was in use a lot, some visible wear might occur.
Some anomalies with exposures were reported for A series, but few times.

This is how much this kit was just couple of years ago. 300 USD for 40 1.4 and another 300 USD for used R series.
So, maybe person just selling for same price it was purchased. 40 1.4 is cheaper than 35 1.4 lens.
Check if 40mm VF is in the bag. 40mm lens and 35mm are not matching. R3M(A) comes with 40mm frames.

Ebay BIN listings are often from speculants these days. And Europe sometimes means nothing. Always read from where it is going to be shipped. But sometimes they even fool us on this one, until item is purchased.

Check "Sold" and make sure this only box is checked to see for how much it actually sells on eBay.
eBay knows this and adding "ended" in addition to "sold". Seems like they are doing it on purpose.
More expensive gear is, more ebay gets in commission. But "ended" is mostly listings from speculants with huge prices.
No fools for few weeks and speculants are ending it and relisting. Because, if item on demand is listed for long time and not purchased it is bad for speculants. It is clear indicator of speculative price.