The Voigtlander Bessa R2M, R3M, R4M - getting the job done?

mnemosyne · Aug 30, 2014

ic-racer said:
I have a R4M. I got it because a world famous photographer I had the chance to meet said his Leicas were now in a drawer and he uses one. The 21mm coverage built-in viewfinder is not offered by Leitz. I promptly ordered an R4M after the meeting. It is a great camera.

That world famous photog wasn't Tom A., by any chance?

pdeeh · Aug 30, 2014

I think the vertical alignment thing is not uncommon. certainly when mine went out i googled it and found plenty of other people had experienced the same. It's an annoyance rather than anything else. I had mine fixed but it has drifted a bit again.

As for service, any trustworthy repair technicians ought to be able to work on it, there's nothing peculiar about them.

Still, like any camera, you need to pick it up and use it to see if you'll get on with it.

dugrant153 · Sep 1, 2014

Well, tried my hands on the R3m. in terms of handling, it seemed pretty good. However, for some reason, the viewing didn't seem right. Like the focus patch was just a bit "off". Must've been that model I tried. The main issue with the r3m is I can't see any framelines (Due to having to wear glasses) except the 50mm ones. The rest disappear. This is must like the Zeiss Ikon, which was pretty good for 50mm.

Then I tried a Leica CL. Strangely, I felt the rangefinder patch was easy to use and bang on. The thing is TINY (makes my fingers feel like sausages) but I had an easier time with the viewfinder. The one I tried was expensive ($1200 for camera + 40mm F2 + 90mm F4...) as I was only really interested in the body since I want to use the 40mm F1.4 or a 28mm F1.9.

Anyways, after all this experimenting, not sure if the Bessas are the right fit for me. It's a combination of handling and just "intuitive click". It could just be me but I guess I work with some cameras and other times I don't. I'm finding my eye glasses to be a major issue when using rangefinders.

pdeeh · Sep 1, 2014

The Bessas do have a swappable vf diopter which might mitigate the vf problem, but if it don't feel right it don't feel right. No point in having a camera that you don't like handling

Xmas · Sep 1, 2014

Glasses are a problem, contact lenses if you can wear them the best solution.

dugrant153 · Sep 17, 2014

So I confirmed that my local bessa shop does do the servicing through their distribution group, which I understand is local... Probably Canadian.
I also saw that Jonathan Canlas uses an r4m!! And he's taken some crazy photos with it! He's got a great eye to begin with but love seeing the potential of the bessa cameras. I went back to try the Zeiss Nikon and bessa again and I think that maybe I just wasn't used to using them as they felt a bit more intuitive the second time around.

I did some research on the used Zeiss ikon i saw at another shop and noted that its probably a 2006 model or so. The condition was excellent and am contemplating on going for that or a new bessa with 1 year warranty (the Zeiss would be 30 days... And costs a touch more than the bessa even used). Hmm.

Allicio · Oct 13, 2015

Might I be so bold as to bump this old thread?
I've just purchased the last new bessa r4m in the uk and was wondering how the folks in this tread are getting on with their bessas?

Pioneer · Oct 13, 2015

I shoot my R2C quite regular. I am particularly enjoying my VC 25mm Snapshot Skopar. Great lens and terrific camera.

Allicio · Oct 13, 2015

That's good to know! Not too many of the contax fit bessas about I believe!

rbultman · Oct 14, 2015

I have an R3M that I love. It's a great little camera that I got used. I mostly use it with the 40mm Nokton, which I got new.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Xmas · Oct 14, 2015

The only generic fault in these late Cosina rangefinders is in the digital version the RD/1 which can blow an internal fuse and damage a circuit board fatally otherwise they (ie most) are still serviceable cameras, like their film brethren.

If you knock the vertical off you need to also check the moon is still at infinity if you use fast or long lenses, but that is just as true with Canon or Leica rangefinders.

The big problem with rangefinders is they are for fast low light shooting and they need to fit your hand and eyesight, note cause I'm ambi Dexter I don't have trouble remembering which eye to use or close, eg for vertical shots.

film_man · Oct 14, 2015

I had a R3A but have not used a Leica to compare. It is a great camera, it is very light and compact, the finder is nice and all the controls are fine. The build is solid but not the most refined, the shutter noise is a bit clangy but still very quiet compared to an SLR. I eventually sold mine as I want to get something that can use wider lenses (the R3 has 40/50/75/90 framelines). Not decided yet whether to get a R2 or go for a Leica but for the price you can't really fault the cameras. Don't know how frequent the alignment issue is but Leicas and pretty much every rangefinder needs alignment at some point, it is the nature of the thing.

Allicio · Oct 14, 2015

Its good to read there's still bessa love about. I has originally ordered the r4a from b&h in the states but it arrived dead. Wouldn't turn on at all. So I sent that back and bought the r4m here in the uk. Tbh I'm glad its ended up this way I'm enjoying the r4m's simplicity

ColColt · Oct 14, 2015

I read on another forum Cosina is stopping production on the R2M, R4M and some others as well as a flock of viewfinders, maybe some lens.

http://petapixel.com/2015/10/01/voigtlander-rangefinder-cameras-are-no-more/

Allicio · Oct 14, 2015

Yeah its true unfortunately. all camera production has now stopped. There continuing with lens production

pdeeh · Oct 14, 2015

Allicio said:
wondering how the folks in this tread are getting on with their bessas?

Sold mine, but not because it was a bad camera, but I had other fish to fry.
Still got a 35mm summicron to unload though - its in the classifieds at the moment if any of you bessamaniacs are interested

ColColt · Oct 14, 2015

I guess now Leica has the corner market on rangefinders. I suppose many folks were buying used Leicas over a new Bessa as a guess. Now, Leica has little if any competition. Watch the prices go even higher on used bodies.

Xmas · Oct 14, 2015

I have Canon P contemporary with a M2... and IIIc.

Lots of people would not buy a M7 or MP eg no IMXOO or FILCA, quite apart from the >>$.

Allicio · Oct 14, 2015

I can't imagine the prices going any higher due to cosine stopping production. They were a bit of a niche these last few years, I think if someone wanted one then that's what they wanted as opposed to a used leica compromise
I know for the money I've just payed I could have bought a used m6 but I've always wanted an r4 model so that's what I bought.

film_man · Oct 15, 2015

ColColt said:
I guess now Leica has the corner market on rangefinders. I suppose many folks were buying used Leicas over a new Bessa as a guess. Now, Leica has little if any competition. Watch the prices go even higher on used bodies.

Considering that a used Bessa would go for almost half the price of the cheapeast most beat-up Leica worth buying I doubt these Voigtlanders made any difference to Leica prices. Bessa availability probably had more of an impact on Zeiss Ikon prices, in the end you either want a Leica or you don't and a Bessa has sufficient features (ie viewfinders which Leica won't even do and that futuristic tech called a rear film door ) to be a stand alone product.

CuS · Dec 28, 2015

Vouching for the R3M

Heyo!

I got my R3M back in 2007 and have put at least a thousand rolls through it - it has never let me down!

That said, I was gifted a Leica M3 for Xmas by my wife - I can agree that the Leica is much better built and smooth as silk, but in the end, its not the tool that matters so much, its the eye behind the camera (mine is sometimes broken).

Here's a link to some shots I have taken with my R3M

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vivalafilm/albums/72157632547147162

HiHoSilver · Dec 28, 2015

Cus, your flickr shots were nice. I don't know why, but they're also the first ones I've seen w/ a modern Bessa that have normal sharpness. I noticed the absence of sharpness & formed a negative view of the camera. 'Certainly nothing wrong w/ your shots in the link.

Allicio · Dec 28, 2015

CuS said:
Heyo!

I got my R3M back in 2007 and have put at least a thousand rolls through it - it has never let me down!

That said, I was gifted a Leica M3 for Xmas by my wife - I can agree that the Leica is much better built and smooth as silk, but in the end, its not the tool that matters so much, its the eye behind the camera (mine is sometimes broken).

Here's a link to some shots I have taken with my R3M

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vivalafilm/albums/72157632547147162

That is quite possibly the best piece of info I've ever read on the Internet lol!!!
1000 rolls! That's fantastic!
P.s I love the fire escape shot on your flickr page! Some people really fo have short attention spans to say its uncool!

ColColt · Dec 28, 2015

Love the Viva la Film shot-great.

Ces1um · Mar 25, 2017

CuS said:
Vouching for the R3M

Heyo!

I got my R3M back in 2007 and have put at least a thousand rolls through it - it has never let me down!

That said, I was gifted a Leica M3 for Xmas by my wife - I can agree that the Leica is much better built and smooth as silk, but in the end, its not the tool that matters so much, its the eye behind the camera (mine is sometimes broken).

Here's a link to some shots I have taken with my R3M

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vivalafilm/albums/72157632547147162

I wish my experience was like yours, but it hasn't been. I've had my R3m for 2 years now and I've had a few issues. My thumb grip has come off and required glueing (no big deal). I also had the diopter eyepiece fall off once. Just needed to be screwed on tighter. My major complaint is that I'm having issues with the vertical alignment. I had it fixed but within 2 weeks it drifted again. Sometimes I think if I'm too quick moving the focus lever that it's literally backing out a screw somewhere.

The Voigtlander Bessa R2M, R3M, R4M - getting the job done?

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