Considering Bessa R4m

[Ashfaque]

Hello,

I like to shoot some wide angle landscape/nature stuffs. I'm considering of getting a Bessa R4m along with Zeiss ZM 21, 25, or 28. Haven't decided on the lens yet, but it will be wider than 40mm.

(1) I'll be doing some long exposure shots. If I remember correctly, I read some user reviews on Adorama/BHPhoto that their R4m units were prone to light leakage during long exposure shots. Is this a common problem or just something else?
(2) What else should I be worried about? Any deal breakers for you?
(3) Who would you recommend for CLA, other than Cosina?

Bests,

Ashfaque

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm not aware of light leaks. I know what lenses are protruding into VF. And good luck to find service for this camera, except Cosina.
i'm not lens collector. Only one UWA is enough for me. I have CV 25 F4, which is very good lens, no need to pay three times more for another Cosina made lens (Zeiss). And because it is only one lens I just have VF for it. Another $90.
Plus, Bessa T RF for under $200. All together, lens, VF, RF camera for cost of one R4.

 

[georg16nik]

The CV Bessa R4m back door light seals are the usual culprit, so every camera shop can replace the seals and it's likely that won't cost much.
In case you are after Zeiss ZM 21, 25, or 28 and want a body for these, then the R4m looks like a nice fit.

 

[Allicio]

I've just bought the last r4m in the uk a couple of months ago along with the 35mm f1.4 nokton.
I could have bought an m6 for the money I spent but I wanted to start with a new camera not a 20 year old one.
It's a beautiful camera that seems well engineered to me.
As for servicing, with the r4m being truly mechanical any competent service shop will be able to look after it for you.
I too have never heard of lightleaks on the bessa r4 cameras and I did a tonne of research before buying

 

[darkosaric]

One must consider that some wide angle lenses will not fit Bessa. Jupiter 12 is just one example.

 

[Ashfaque]

Thank you all very much.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

I like my r4 very much. I just bought a 21mm f4 pancake for it that I hope to receive soon. I have not done any long exposures with it and have not had any light leaks carrying it in bright sun. Earlier this year I got a trigger winder for it which is pretty neat and makes it feel a bit like a canon rf of past. I also have the 28mm f2 from cv but on the bessa r4 it is a waste of finder space and I think focusing is a little less accurate. The 28mm lives on the ZIkon where it's finder is perfect for it. I was never a fan of the 24mm focal length so I only maybe have 1 or 2 lenses in that focal length but for slr. Don't have that type for rf.

I have the r4a, and it's fast. Aperture priority is very helpful just batteries are required though it doesn't gobble them up. It's a very special camera line indeed that not many people will have had the joy of using as it's quite rare to see on the street. But the finder size is just amazing. Well worth it.


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