Whats the big hype about the Bessa cameras anyway?

[szekiat]

Has anyone ever sat back and considered, cos i just did, a new bessa r2a, r3a will cost as much as a used contax g1 with a lens or 2. I can understand the hype about how leica cameras are quieter and are mechanical, etc, but a bessa? Perhaps someone has a good reason, cos i sure as hell don't...and just for the record, i nearly bought a bessa r2a. Heck, having used leica, cosina, contax, i think that all their lenses are about par with the leica and contax probably standing out, and i don't see how a cosina lens can command the same used price as a contax. Surely something is not right with us RF users?

Btw, this is just for discussion, not to fuel a fight yah...good night folks!

 

[LKSC]

The main attraction of the R3A is the 1:1 finder, which gives an almost life-size impression. How significant this is to the user is up to one's individual preferences and needs. In that regard, many Leica M3 users stay with that camera because they like its 0.92 magnification.

 

[moon]

How much is a New Bessa R2a, R3a . ?

Has anyone ever sat back and considered, cos i just did, a new bessa r2a, r3a will cost as much as a used contax g1 with a lens or 2. I can understand the hype about how leica cameras are quieter and are mechanical, etc, but a bessa? Perhaps someone has a good reason, cos i sure as hell don't...and just for the record, i nearly bought a bessa r2a. Heck, having used leica, cosina, contax, i think that all their lenses are about par with the leica and contax probably standing out, and i don't see how a cosina lens can command the same used price as a contax. Surely something is not right with us RF users?

Btw, this is just for discussion, not to fuel a fight yah...good night folks!

 

[user111]

bressar R2 can use the 12mm rectilinear lens :thumbsup:

 

[kex]

most people pay good $$ for bessa bodies becoz u can use leica glasses on it.

u dun see used Cosina lenses selling at used Contax or leica price.

 

[szekiat]

Just to throw some fuel in:
Kex: I tend to agree with you, BUT a cosina used is about 400, which is not much less than a used contax G lens. We are of course talking about the standard range from 28mm to 90mm. The ultra wides are a different story.
User111: The 12mm and 15mm can actually be adapted to use on the contax G system as well. Granted its a bit more expensive. But do a lot of people use them?
LKSC: I cannot agree more with you about that fact about the R3A. It is rather unique. But what about the other Bessas? R2, R2A?

 

[kex]

maybe there are only a few players in the RF market,thats y the price of Cosina is almost the same as a Used contax lens.

no much competitors of coz price it higher lor..

 

[XXX Boy]

I think the only reason why Bessa sell becoz it allows the use of Leica Screw-mount & M-mount lenses! And the body is so much cheaper than the Leicas....so some Leica user might able to buy a Bessa and use it as a 2nd body...it also attracts new rangefinder users too! :thumbsup:

 

[pigglet]

I think the only reason why Bessa sell becoz it allows the use of Leica Screw-mount & M-mount lenses! And the body is so much cheaper than the Leicas....so some Leica user might able to buy a Bessa and use it as a 2nd body...it also attracts new rangefinder users too! :thumbsup:

IF this cheap theory were true, then the FED and the Zorki must be selling like hot cakes, rite?? :bsmilie:

 

[hoppinghippo]

IF this cheap theory were true, then the FED and the Zorki must be selling like hot cakes, rite?? :bsmilie:

Zorkis don't use LTM or M mount I think. anyway I got myself a R3A for christmas (heh what a lousy excuse) and so far its quite nice to use, the 1:1 viewfinder is really interesting when you're used to SLRs and their "tunnel view".

and to add on, another reason why bessas sell is cuz CV also produces good lens which are relatively cheap (compared to leica) which help to boost interest in RF.

 

[pigglet]

Zorkis don't use LTM or M mount I think. .

Zorki's DO use LTM. I got one of this animal recently from a CSer ( Zorki with an Elmar 5cm copy for $100, sweet but LOUD, very!! like a russian tank :lovegrin: )

 

[XXX Boy]

FED and the Zorki cameras don't use M-mount lenses, this is for sure!

 

[XXX Boy]

Zorkis don't use LTM or M mount I think. anyway I got myself a R3A for christmas (heh what a lousy excuse) and so far its quite nice to use, the 1:1 viewfinder is really interesting when you're used to SLRs and their "tunnel view".

and to add on, another reason why bessas sell is cuz CV also produces good lens which are relatively cheap (compared to leica) which help to boost interest in RF.

How about getting this M-mount camera with Carl Zeiss lenses??

Welcome to the Japanese-made-German-Labelled camera world.....introducing the Zeiss Ikon ZI Rangefinder camera.

 

[pigglet]

OT, but just can't help it :bsmilie:

Leica CL - Japanese-made_Germany-labelled RF cam
Leica Digilux 2 - Japanese-made-Germany-labelled digicam

(So, Leica is also quite good at doing such thing, isn't it?)

In any case, those Jap-made cam still beats the Protugal-made-Germany-labelled R8/9 (reads monsters) anyday.

 

[XXX Boy]

OT, but just can't help it :bsmilie:

Leica CL - Japanese-made_Germany-labelled RF cam
Leica Digilux 2 - Japanese-made-Germany-labelled digicam

(So, Leica is also quite good at doing such thing, isn't it?)

In any case, those Jap-made cam still beats the Protugal-made-Germany-labelled R8/9 (reads monsters) anyday.

Hahaha.... :bsmilie:
Anyway, I had not owned the Leica R8/R9 myself so I can't comment more on it. But I do have a Protugal-made-Germany-labelled Leica M-motor for my M6 and it is working fine since the first day that I bought. :thumbsup: :lovegrin:

 

[szekiat]

err...my original thread was between a contax G and a bessa. I don't know where u guys are going now. I can understand leica users getting a bessa as a 2nd body, but what about new users? Face it, CV lenses and bodies aren't that cheap, esp 2nd hand, compared to say a decent contax G system. Btw, i use a leica m2, and i'm really considering the r2a. Until i did a bit of math.

 

[pigglet]

err...my original thread was between a contax G and a bessa. I don't know where u guys are going now.

Hehe.. pronokid & his Nemesis always come together one mah ;p


joke aside,

Face it, CV lenses and bodies aren't that cheap, esp 2nd hand, compared to say a decent contax G system. Btw, i use a leica m2, and i'm really considering the r2a. Until i did a bit of math.

Contax G is not true RF (ok, electronic RF if you insist.. but the feel is very different.) Contax G was intended to be Leica killer but it was not to be. The CZ lenses are really great though. The 45 & 28mm are particularly impressive.

OTOH, CV lenses are very cheap by Leica standard (there are a few at TCW going for abt S$300+, not enough to buy a Leica viewfinder) optically, they are indeed very good. (I had tried 15, 28/3.5, 35/2.5, and 90mm before, really cannot explain.) Ironically, those CV Bessas & lenses actually help to prolong the life of the dying old man (named Leica, but not Leitz camera anymore. More like Hermes.. remember that a la carte?! sad!)

 

[szekiat]

actually, i know what u mean. I use CV lenses extensively when i travel to dangerous places. That way, i don't feel as heart broken should they get stolen. For day to day street, i use a few leica ones. I have used a contax system before, and really regret selliing it actually. Contrary to what you say, i think it is very much still a range finder, in the type of photography you use it for. The 45 and 90 are amongst the best i've ever used. I'd be hard pressed to differentiate a 12R from a 90 'cron and a 90 zeiss, esp when stopped down to f5.6. Just wondering why ppl would pick bessa over zeiss? not leica over zeiss.

 

[pipefish]

I would get the Bessa if I wanted a manual focus rangefinder and did not want to spend Leica $.

As for the quality of the image (i.e., sharpness, contrast, distortion etc), Leica, Contax, Bessa/Cosina, Nikon, Canon, whatever - they are all pretty close. Too much is made over the minute differences between brands.

 

[XXX Boy]

Now all M-mount market is becoming more and more exciting! We can use CV, Carl Zeiss lenses direct on our M-mount body!!!