Where to buy a Bessa R2A/M or R4?

Iridium · Sep 21, 2009

Hi,

Actually, I had to set the common dilemma leica M6 or Voigt. Bessa R2,3,4? However, as I red a lot of opinions in the forum, I 'm gonna make my question easier...

I am an amateur street photographer and I am thinking seriously to get a range instead of my noisy and disturbing FM2. I say R2A or R4, cause I use 35mm or 28mm lenses (I have to buy also a lens like that).

As my budget is limited, I was wondering where I could buy a new or used body of a Voigtlander R2-R4 (A or M) in a reasonable price (unless I could get a nice M6 body for less than 800 euros)? By where I mean a reliable online seller, basically European, but US too, apart from Ebay and classifieds at the forums which I know.

Thanx
Hellas

ath · Sep 21, 2009

www.photohaus.de has a used R3A right now - here's the RF-section of their sh shop. They have several M6, even one for 799€ (incl. german VAT).
I had several good transactions with them.

P.S. they sell online but they are a reputable traditional photo shop in Hamburg.

Iridium · Sep 22, 2009

Thanx Andreas. I'll check it.

Matus Kalisky · Sep 24, 2009

Frankly speaking I find 499 euro for a used R3A a bit too much. Fotopartner (for example) sells NEW R2A / R3A for 579 euro what is the normal price in Germnay. Anything more is just a rip-off (look at US prices - $569 !).

I may only add that only yesterday I won a grey R3A from England for 420 including shipping and it was already on the high side - but it includes 6 months warranty.

"Standard" price for used R2A R3A seems to be around 350 euro in EU.

Please keep in mind that neither R3A nor R2A has 28mm frame lines.

Not to teas you more than necessary, but there is a brand new Zeiss Ikon on the german evilBay right now for 850 euro including 3 year warranty. I was WERY much tempted but it was jut too much at the time ...

good luck with your choice

Rob Skeoch · Sep 25, 2009

If you really want to shoot with the 28mm, then look at the R4A or R4M. It's a great little machine.
I realize you're looking for used but I have them as a combo with the 28mm F2 lens.... you can find it on my website.

Iridium · Oct 3, 2009

Thanx all for the answers.

However, after a bit of thinking at the price of a used Leica M6, I can get a new Zeiss Ikon ZW from Germany and for seriously less (around 500euros) a new Voigt R4A/M from USA. My dilemma is if it's worthwhile to climb on the level of the Zeiss Ikon body(to give around 300-400 euros more) or to give up for the value for money Voigt R4.

I wanna use it for street photography with basically a 28mm lens or the 35mm one. I am sure that both of them are far more quiet than my Nikon FM2, which sounds and sakes a lot. I found that on the street the level of sound of the camera is a very important issue.

Any recommendation on these 2 great cameras?

P.S.: the problem is that I cannot check in my hands none of them, cause I cannot find them here in Greece.

Rob Skeoch · Oct 3, 2009

I wouldn't go with the Zeiss Ikon SW, it's for wide angle only but doesn't have rangefinder focus so you're just guessing on your focus. I would suggest the Zeiss Ikon, but the regular one.

The R4A is a great way to get introduced to rangefinder photography.

-rob

Matus Kalisky · Oct 4, 2009

Concerning the sound and shake - I have just used my 'new' R3A. While it is quieter than a SLR - it is not by that large margin (fs the mirror is well damped on the SLR). I would not call it a quiet camera (but nor would I call it loud). Shake is indeed less than an SLR (though you "feel" it in your hand). My Rolleiflex T is quieter and produces less shutter shake - just for comparison - but it has a leaf shutter of course.

Where to buy a Bessa R2A/M or R4?

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Where to buy a Bessa R2A/M or R4?

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