Voigtlander Bessa R

[tjaded]

Hi all--
I am still trying to figure out what type of Cosina Voigtlander would be the best one for me. I thought I was all set on the L, but a Bessa R is for sale locally with a 35mm Skopar lens and the price seems pretty good to me. Honestly, I am a little confused about the differences between the various models. I don't really have much in the way of 35mm stuff and have sort of been getting into it lately (much lighter if nothing else!) Anyway, I would love to hear opinions on the differences/which you prefer/etc. I did pick up a Vito B recently and I am VERY eager to get it back from Flutot's--it's getting a much needed CLA. Anyway, thanks in advance!

Matt

 

[dslater]

The Bessa L doesn't have a viewfinder or rangefinder. The Bessa R has both. Check out http://www.cameraquest.com/inventor.htm for information on all current Bessa models.

 

[elekm]

The R is a great way to get into rangefinder photography.

And the 35mm Color-Skopar is an excellent all-around lens.

I wrote a review several years ago.

 

[Woolliscroft]

I like the R and have had none of the reliability issues some report. I take a lot of pictures from an elevated viewpoint using the camera on top of a teliscopic pole so a self timer is a bit of a must. I know you can get external ones that screw onto the shutter button, but an integral timer is much more convenient and the R is about the only modern 35mm rangefinder I know that has one.

David

 

[rml]

The L is LTM mount and has no rangefinder or viewfinder.
The R is also LTM mount but is equipped with rf and vf.
The T, R2 and up are M mount rangefinders.

I used both an L and R for years. The L was married to the CV 25/4 and I love that combination. The R was married to a Jupiter-8, and for normal shooting it was my main combination. Only when I ran into a Leica CL and, later, the Epson R-D1 I changed bodies. I use my M2 as a kind of backup camera to my R-D1 but the R (and L) are still around as backups to the M2.

My little review of the Bessa R is here: http://shardsofphotography.blogspot.com/2006/01/camera-impressions-voigtlander-bessa-r.html .
And some results of the lens and camera combos are here: http://shardsofphotography2.blogspot.com/search?q=Bessa .

 

[rpsawin]

Here are two charts:
Bessa L - R2 http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtchart.htm
Current Bessa's http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtchart2.htm

You will find a great deal of rangefinder info on http://www.cameraquest.com

Good luck,

Bob

 

[Paul Howell]

Wonder if after 14 years OP is still thinking about it.

 

[Pioneer]

Hard to say. I still use mine occasionally but I prefer my Leica screwmounts. I do have to say that my R has held up pretty well over the years. I know people have reported some problems but my experience has been good.