Any voightlander bessa R owners?

Marino

Marino

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MARINO
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Hey folks,

I’ve been thinking about getting a rangefinder lately and i wonder if there’s anyone here that owns a voightlander bessa. They don’t seem that popular but it looks really good on paper.

Edit: I’m taking about the 35mm rangefinder!

Marino
 
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I used to have a non-rangefinder 1950's Voigtlander Bessa 1, which I wrote about here:

https://kevinthephotographer.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/equipment-voigtlander-bessa-1-1950s/

I liked some of the images, but since writing that blog post, the camera literally fell apart. There were problems with the linkage arm between the shutter release button and the shutter, and the bellows peeled apart.

Ah but ... do you actually mean the modern ones, the Voigtlander Bessa III - https://cameraquest.com/voigtl_bessa_iii.htm . There's also the Fujifilm GF670 which is the same camera but with a different name.

I'd love one but (a) they are very expenside and (b) as with most rangefinders the shortest focus distance is a little too long for my uses.
 
Marino said:
They don’t seem that popular but it looks really good on paper.
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I did consider getting one of the rangefinder models but they didn't add anything useful to my kit at the time.

Instead I carried a Bessa-L with the 15mm lens and the hotshoe viewfinder for a while. Really useful superwide...

Summer sky Swindon Voigtlander 15mm 14.JPG
 
@Kevin Allan I’m sorry i should have been more specific, i didn’t know voightlander produced medium format cameras.
The one I’m taking about is the 35mm cameras they produced Around year 2000
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
I did consider getting one of the rangefinder models but they didn't add anything useful to my kit at the time.

Instead I carried a Bessa-L with the 15mm lens and the hotshoe viewfinder for a while. Really useful superwide...

View attachment 398622
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I was looking for that one as a cheaper alternative. I would probably use it with the 25mm that comes with, i was also looking at the 15mm but not sure if it’s too wide for my taste. Definitely a great combo with the 15mm though since focusing isn’t much of an issue

What did you think of the camera Andrew? Is the meter a pain to use? Because it looks akward to use. Is it light and smaller compared to a Nikon fm or a canon a1?

thx
 
On the 35mm Bessas.

When I started out they were nice, cheaper alternatives to Leica Ms but from what I see the models I liked (The R3A/M and R4A/M) are almost as much as a Leica nowadays with fewer options for servicing.

Size wise they aren't much smaller than a FM (this is the same for Leicas too). Just imagine an FM/A1 with the prism and mirror box removed and you're pretty close. The real size savings are in the lenses.

I briefly used the Epson RD-1 which was a digital sensor stuffed into a Bessa body, it was very nice although the build wasn't quite up to Leica standards (about the same as an FM) and the rangefinder had a tendency to drift out of vertical alignment.
 
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I have the Bessa R3a and I love it. I use it with the 40mm Nokton and the 21mm and it gives great results. I have the 15mm as well which I use with the Bessa L, it

is a great combination for the very wide shots. First is with the 40mm and the second with the 21mm.img149CS5.jpgV50007CS5.jpg
 
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I used an R3M for about 2 years and ended up trading it in for an M7 which broke 5.9 months into the 6 month guarantee. That was a complete relief, but the R3M had gone. Ended up with a Zeiss Ikon ZM which God can pry from my cold dead fingers.

Looking back, the R3M felt like a more solid camera than the Ms, with a really satisfying shutter click. I'd get another one easily as it was a joy to use with a nice clear viewfinder and Leica build quality. As others have mentioned, repairability is not so assured, but mine felt like a tank. Great camera, and easily on a par with the Leica M bodies even though it's a bit taller and fatter. Apologies for the image quality, I was testing Tri-X at 1600. Edit to add: The lightmeter on the Bessa was difficult for me to see. I wear specs and ended up having to have my face at just the right angle to see the readings. Compared to the Zeiss/Leica triangles, it wasn't as easy to use, especially in bright light.

2020-11-09-trix1600-canon1v-ddx-19.jpg

The Zeiss Ikon ZM though is in a different class. Almost exactly the same size as an M and beautifully engineered although it doesn't feel quite as durable. Not easy to find (I got mine from the window in LCE in Chester for an absolute steal). And apologies for this photo as I'd just got my R6 and was testing the macro lens.

R6_I0762.jpg
 
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FruitFlakes said:
When I started out they were nice, cheaper alternatives to Leica Ms but from what I see the models I liked (The R3A/M and R4A/M) are almost as much as a Leica nowadays with fewer options for servicing.
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At launch price, models like the R3A were quite attractively priced around $600 (£600?) especially for a brand new body that came with a warranty and relatively easy availability of new parts and labour.

ISTR second hand prices dipped close to £300 and it got very tempting. I nearly bought one several times, but ended up with a Canon P to scratch my rangefinder itch.
 
haha, i suppose it’s easy done @adrianday I’ll remember that if i end up buying a rangefinder.

I never had an experience with a rangefinder before so I was looking at the bessa models. Funny i had a voightlander lens that wasn’t working after i dropped it, the focus ring got really stiff to turn. The problem was that i couldn’t fix it here in the UK. So serviceability is a valid point..

I wanted to get a rangefinder ever since i started photography but never got my hands on one. The only one i tried was the digital xpro1 but it was a disappointment.

I’m surprised members use the bessa models i thought i wouldn’t even get a single reply to the thread
 
@Harlequin565 the zeiss is sold around £2000 now:oops: :$:oops: :$ but it lookslike a lovely camera
 
I still have a voighlander Vito CL bought for my for my 21st birthday. doesn't have a range finder but does have a light meter built in and clockwork timer still works. Still as new condition with leather case.
LudsvsIl.jpg


also a rollie flashgun to go with it and still works. rest of leather case not shown but complete. also original box which it is kept in, So all in perfect working order, the only thing is I don't know about dust on the lens as I havn't used it in nearly 50 years. One day I might use it again, who knows. looking at what they sell for it is not even worth considering
 
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If you're looking cheaper, there is the Canon rangefinders of the era. Canon 7, Canon P. Never used them or tried them but I'm sure if you tag Rob who has used one he can give you more info.

I've also owned an Olympus 35RC and a Minolta Hi-Matic F - both of which are very compact, fixed lens 35mm offerings. The rangefinder patch on them is... well... "inadequate" to the point where I tend to use the distance scale, but your mileage may vary!

Please ignore me if you're set on a Bessa though. Just thought I'd add a bit more because I love rangefinders. I can get much faster, more accurate focussing with them than with normal focussing.
 
I’ve had a few, Bessa R, R3A & R4A and I still have a Bessa L.
They’re great cameras and were a cheaper alternative to Leicas.
They’re well made, easy to use, my only criticism is they’re a little tricky if you wear glasses.
 
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@Harlequin565 i appreciate all the info because I’m kind of exploring my options. I’ve seen most of the fixed lens but the focal length is not great(40mm-50mm).

I’ve ordered a 24mm hotshoe viewfinder a while ago and I’ll give it a go on my Nikon fm2. If i seem to like it I’ll go for something like a Bessa l.

That setup will be used for street, ~24mm focal length and i will be zone focusing for street photos. I would also like to have the option to use a 35mm lens.
 
Marino said:
@Harlequin565 i appreciate all the info because I’m kind of exploring my options. I’ve seen most of the fixed lens but the focal length is not great(40mm-50mm).

I’ve ordered a 24mm hotshoe viewfinder a while ago and I’ll give it a go on my Nikon fm2. If i seem to like it I’ll go for something like a Bessa l.

That setup will be used for street, ~24mm focal length and i will be zone focusing for street photos. I would also like to have the option to use a 35mm lens.
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I do have a Bessa L complete with a Viogtlander 25mm f4 Snapshot lens with viewfinder I'd be happy to sell, let me know if its of interest and as per forum rules I'll get some photos taken and put an ad up in the classifieds.
 
@RaglanSurf i was looking for that combo on eBay, if you’re not in a rush yes I’m interested. I’m waiting for that viewfinder to stick it on my Nikon fm2. It’s more like a test to see if i can live with just a viewfinder and zone focus. If you can wait by the end of the month i would be happy to discuss it again with you.
 
Marino said:
@RaglanSurf i was looking for that combo on eBay, if you’re not in a rush yes I’m interested. I’m waiting for that viewfinder to stick it on my Nikon fm2. It’s more like a test to see if i can live with just a viewfinder and zone focus. If you can wait by the end of the month i would be happy to discuss it again with you.
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I'm in no rush, I'll get some photos taken and if and when you're ready I'll start a thread.
 
RaglanSurf said:
I'm in no rush, I'll get some photos taken and if and when you're ready I'll start a thread.
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Great, I’ll text you again at some stage. Thx!
 
I've been very pleased with my Canon 7 (and Canon P). After selling my Leica IIIA with its squitty viewfinder and rangefinder the Canon was a revelation in terms of useability; great viewfinder and conventional film loading. It's quite a bit bigger and heavier than the Leica though. I haven't used the built in meter much, I prefer a hand held meter, but the meter works and is accurate. I got the cameras and Canon lenses from an eBay seller, https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/eljaybe2018, I have no connection with the seller by the way other than having purchased from him. He specialises somewhat in Canon rangefinders which he also services before sale.
 
PeterSpencer said:
I've been very pleased with my Canon 7 (and Canon P). After selling my Leica IIIA with its squitty viewfinder and rangefinder the Canon was a revelation in terms of useability; great viewfinder and conventional film loading.
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I aquired a Canon P with the 35mm f1.8 lens for an astonishingly low price at the end of the 1960s and it was a marvellous camera for an impoverished freelance picking up the leavings of the staff photographers on local London newspapers.

It kept me in Spaghetti Bolognese and the occassional pint for almost a year!
 
The Canon lenses are outstanding, although my 35mm is only f2.8, but fabulously hard edged, if you like that Japanese vintage look.

Interestingly(?), I had a Zorki 50/3.5 which was sharper than my Leitz Elmar 35/3.5, of which it was a direct copy, a strangely pointless observation, I admit.

When I sold the Leica I kept an Elmar 90mm f4 which I can use on the Canon.
 
PeterSpencer said:
I've been very pleased with my Canon 7 (and Canon P)
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FWIW one small thing that swung me toward the P rather than the 7 is that I had a bad experience with the knurled metal viewfinder surround of a Fed IV that scratched the plastic lenses of the spectacles I wear for short sight. They were brand new, so it annoyed me somewhat.

The Canon 7's viewfinder surround is not knurled, but is still circular and metal with some crisp edges that worried me. The P, however, has a nice rectangular frame with much softer corners and has never caused me a problem. I have no regrets about my choice.

Not the kind of detail that comes up often in online reviews :)
 
Lots of good stuff here. I had a Bessa R3A with a Minolta M-Rokkor 40/2, which is about the sweetest lens I've ever had. Used as my only camera for several months, I loved it, but decided the M lenses were too expensive to build up a suite, so sold them both. OF COURSE I REGRET THIS! I thought it was an excellent camera, and having a TTL meter it tends to mitigate the lens cap problem. Why am I getting no reading on the meter??? Is it broken??? No, darn it (takes lens cap off). ;)
 
Well i ended up buying a Bessa R with a voightlander 35mm.
I looked at canon P which seems to be a lovely camera but couldn’t find a wideangle prime for it.
Didn’t want to break the bank by buying a Leica, which is probably going to be a future buy if i prefer rangefinder to slrs.
Although i have a feeling I’ll love a rangefinder, as i owned an xpro1 and i absolutely loved it apart from the lens and focusing which was an absolute dissapointment.

Can’t wait to hold it, and give it a go!
@RaglanSurf appreciate the offer about the voightlander l, i won’t be needing it now.
I really wanted to try a rangefinder and Bessa L wasn’t going to be good enough for 35 and above Lens .

Yayyy! Can’t wait
 
Glad you got sorted, don’t forget to share some shots once you’ve used it.
 
Absolutely, first chance i get i want to go in the city centre of Belfast and hopefully finish all 36 exposures.
 
Went out on a three hour walk yesterday (that’s how keen i was to take pictures) and managed to finish a roll of film.
When I first held the camera it felt like it’s not a quality made camera, top and bottom plate made out of plastic (oddly enough it felt like aluminium). Shutter release button feels a bit “meh”(compared to my Nikon FM2). Light meter is kinda hard to read (even though I’m not wearing glasses). The back of the camera is made out a rubber like material that looks like it’s not going to wear out .
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But as soon as i started actually using it i completely changed my mind
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The camera is really light and relatively small, i know it doesn’t look like it, but it easily slides in my coat pocket. So the fact that it’s made out of plastic turns out it’s a big plus for reducing the camera’s weight.
In reality i would take a lighter camera over a heavier anytime.
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Just have to wait for my film to get digitised now and keep shooting :)
IMG_0928_adobe_express.jpeg
IMG_0927_adobe_express.jpeg
IMG_0926_adobe_express.jpeg
 
That's what I had down to the Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 lens.

I didn't really regret selling the camera as my film days were done and I needed to accept it but I did regret selling the lens. I don't like focus tabs so that lens suited me well and I wanted to buy another one but they seem quite rare and I had to wait a while until I could find one at a dealer in the UK. When it arrived I noticed that the focus got stiff towards infinity so I had to spend a bit more on a service but now that it's fettled it does seem to work well on my FF digital Sony A7.

Good luck with the camera but if you do ever tire of it maybe keep that lovely lens :D
 
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Yes @woof woof , I completely forgot to mention the Lens, it’s really compact and even comes with an m Mount adapter. Wouldn’t part with it even if i changed the camera.
That’s what actually makes the whole setup so compact.
 
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