Voigtlander Bessa R4m a la carte arrived yesterday!

ic-racer · Jul 8, 2011

The big five-0 birthday is just around the corner and I had been very very close to breaking down and getting a Leica as a birthday present to myself. (Absolutely no chance in he** my wife will buy me one )

However, I had a chance meeting with my most favorite photographer of all time. During a non-photography related discussion, out of the blue, he tells me about his camera. Then he suggests I get one too, saying, "I like it because I can fit it in my pocket with the lens." I did ask him about using a Leica and he said he has a few 'lying around' but does not use them any longer. He also recommended the Voigtlander 'M' version, relaying the info that if the battery dies, the shutter still works.

I scurried around looking for one, but B&H was out of stock of both the body and lens. I found them at CameraQuest.

getting

ic-racer · Jul 8, 2011

I told my wife I really needed to get the camera, because the next time I see him he might ask me if I checked out the camera, or bought one.

After taking the camera out of the box, I was a little disappointed that I can't see the 21mm lines with my glasses. So this is the story on the diopter lenses:

1) It takes NIKON FM round screw-in diopters lenses.
2) It comes with a flat screw in glass with a rubber protector
3) The NIKON round screw in diopters do not have the rubber protector (but you don't need it because you won't have your glasses on)
4) The label on the NIKON diopter is ONE POSITVE DIOPTER GREATER strength of the lens it contains.
5) So, I need a -4 diopter and ordered one that is printed "-5" and it works perfectly.

Klainmeister · Jul 8, 2011

Droooool.....

Happy 50th! Beautiful camera.

vpwphoto · Jul 8, 2011

Your happy.. I'm happy.. cheers.

daleeman · Jul 8, 2011

Happy Bday.
Tell me how it works out for you. I got my eye on one too.

Lee

ic-racer · Jul 8, 2011

daleeman said:
Happy Bday.
Tell me how it works out for you. I got my eye on one too.

Lee

If I can make it to John's I'll bring the camera.

ic-racer · Jul 8, 2011

Another Cosina product?

Recently I have been using this FX3 that was given to me. I wanted a 28mm lens to use on this FREE camera because I am being more cautious about my Zeiss lenses (see thread on destroyed lens here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists) )

ic-racer · Jul 8, 2011

What is the deal with the Yashica ML lenses on ebay? The prices are way out of line (to high). One seller has them for sale for more than what Zeiss lenses go for. That brand new Color Skopar 21 for the Bessa was about the same price as a Yashica ML 21mm on ebay!

segedi · Jul 9, 2011

Nice
Perfect everyday camera.

agphotography · Jul 9, 2011

I have the R2 which is also all mechanical. I love this camera! I only have a 35 and 50mm, but that's all I really need. Maybe a 28mm down the line.

SkipA · Jul 9, 2011

Congratulations on your new camera. I have a Bessa R, which is an LTM rather than M mount like your R4. All models of the Cosina Voigtlander Bessa are excellent cameras.

Bateleur · Jul 10, 2011

Congratulations, it's a lovely looking camera and should give you a rewarding photographic experience. Looking forward to the first photographs.

sirimiri · Jul 16, 2011

What's à la carte about the R4M, though? As far as I know, there's only one version.
No ostrich skin option here!

I had one for about a year and half and just sold it a few weeks ago as I didn't shoot much between 15mm and 40mm, which is the FL zone it's made for.

Bessas are really simple, effective cameras, at a good price. Aside from the short baselength and frame edge versus sprocket alignment woes I had, they are a joy to use.

I hope you have fun using yours, congratuations.

ic-racer · Jul 17, 2011

sirimiri said:
What's à la carte about the R4M, though? As far as I know, there's only one version.

Just copying the title from another thread

I spent a week on vacation using it, I'll process the negatives tomorrow.

segedi · Jul 17, 2011

I think the title was in reference to my M7 a la carte post which became a beast. The title of this post made me chuckle - well done. And look forward to your pics; please post some after dev!

ic-racer · Jul 17, 2011

segedi said:
I think the title was in reference to my M7 a la carte post which became a beast. The title of this post made me chuckle - well done. And look forward to your pics; please post some after dev!

Thanks for sharing you camera, I came close go getting one (may still some day...)

On a more practical note, after 35 years of using SLR, TLR and view cameras, it was a little difficult getting used to the RF. I'm still not comfortable with it, it will take some time so I can operate it without thinking about it. I just shot another roll at a party this afternoon and it is getting there. Certainly the view is so much brighter and easier to focus than the 18mm F4 Distagon on an SLR, which will be my standard for comparison.

jp80874 · Jul 18, 2011

Dale,

Happy 50th! Wishing you at least the 21 more that I have on you to date. Have fun with the camera. I know we will soon see pictures at our NE OH Gathering in August.

Having read this thread and Segedi's the cynic in me is amused at what might have been said by contributors to Segedi's thread if they knew you had wisely invested and restored two Ferraris and a Lancia that occasionally see light of day. Total disclosure required.

John Powers

big juicy kris · Jul 21, 2011

congrats. ive wanted an r4 for a while now. sweet cam.

ic-racer · Jul 21, 2011

I was looking at negatives yesterday and the 21mm lens is sharper in the corners than my Zeiss 18mm/f4 SLR retrofocus lens. I was kind of expecting that.

ic-racer · Jul 21, 2011

jp80874 said:
two Ferraris

I was actually thinking of taking the picture of the camera sitting on the engine

Voigtlander Bessa R4m a la carte arrived yesterday!

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