Voightlander Bessa L cameras

[mtnbkr]

Cameraquest is selling them for $69.  I'm trying to decide if it's worth getting a body to "play" with.  Anyone have any experience?

For those that don't know, they use Leica threaded lenses, but have no rangefinder.  Viewfinders fit in the mount on top of the camera and are lens/focal length specific.  Definately not a regular use deal.  From what I gather, they're Cosina SLR bodies without the pentaprism, mirror, or viewfinder.  

I dunno.  For the money (including lenses), I could go MF and have something I could use after the "new" wears off.

Chris

[Wedge]

It really doesn't sound like the type of camera I would want.  However if you want to try a rangefinder it is a LOT cheaper than buying a Leica body.  What lens were you thinking of getting?  

If you have the money and looks interesting I say go for it.

[itgoesboom]

mtnbkr,

Your information is correct, it is a cosina body without the prism or mirror, and with leica threads.  

Its a decent little camera, and ofcourse the lenses, even the ones made by cossina, are very high quality.

There are two disadvantages for this camera, 1st, the shutter.  It is the same shutter that they put in their other cameras, so it is much louder than the leica series.  And that has always been one of the best reasons to go for a rangefinder like Leica, they are so inconspicous, they are almost unnoticable, and you can barely hear the shutter click.  

The 2nd issue I think you know about, and that is that the Bessa L isn't a true rangefinder.  The viewfinders aren't coupled to the lens in anyway, so the only way to know you are focused is to use hyperfocal focusing.  

There is definatly a purpose for cameras like that, but the question is do they match your requirements?

Is this camera really going to improve your photography, or is it going to be just another toy?  That is always the important question.  

It sounds like you are thinking about going medium format, and that is going quite the opposite direction from the Bessa L.  

I.G.B.

[mtnbkr]

Is this camera really going to improve your photography, or is it going to be just another toy?

That's what I have to decide.  I could see it improving my photography by eliminating some of the distractions of modern cameras, but I'm not sure if it'll be any better in that regard than my OM1.  It's inexpensive and gives me a way to experiment with some reportedly excellent lenses, but in the end, it's still only 35mm.  For the price of this body and a Leica lens or two, I can probably make the leap into MF with a used MF body and one lens.  

I dunno what I'm going to do.    In the past month, I've looked at MF, LF, and various 35mm platforms.  I dig photography in all it's formats (I have and use some antique Kodaks as well), but only have time and money for a limited amount.  

Chris

[itgoesboom]

Just make the leap to Large Format.  You know you want to.  

Just think, a 4x5 tranny on a light table, movements for extended DOF, and you want to get away from the distractions of newer technologies, then its perfect  

I.G.B.

[mtnbkr]

Eventually...

Until recently, I thought LF was too expensive for me, but I've recently discovered that isn't true.  

Chris

[Brad Johnson]

Since someone re-animated a thread from last summer, I thought I'd cut to the chase and ressurect the oldest in the forum.  Beat that!!

Brad

(yes, I am bored.)

[mtnbkr]

Why beat that, I could just ban you.

Chris

[Brad Johnson]

Why beat that, I could just ban you.

Chris

No thanks.  I'm a Right Guard man.

Brad

[sanglant]

at 170 here's a slr that takes pretty much any 35mm pentax lens.

i keep meaning to replace my k1000 with one, but then i remember i don't shot film anymore.

edit: forgot the link and punchline

TTT

[zahc]

Another vote for LF. I spent $125 on my Speed Graphic, which is completely functional including rangefinder and focal-plane shutters. Playing with random lenses is a blast.

I spent $40 on my Calumet 4x5 monorail, which has every movement you would want and a rotating back.

With these two cameras I can achieve pretty much the highest image quality available at any price, excluding crazy things like satellite cameras. My first lens was a random, no-name enlarger lens, which still gives wonderful results.

$1.25 per sheet for TMAX400 really isn't all that bad, but there's always paper negatives ($0.12 per sheet) and xray film (even cheaper than paper).

[Hawkmoon]

at 170 here's a slr that takes pretty much any 35mm pentax lens.

i keep meaning to replace my k1000 with one, but then i remember i don't shot film anymore.

edit: forgot the link and punchline

TTT

Nice little camera. So how is it in any way better/more capable than a K1000? Isn't the K1000 basically a Honeywell/Asahi Pentax with a new name?

[sanglant]

my k1000's meter is busted. the [shutter speed to meter reading] only lines up for 100iso film. so it doesn't take much to best it.
oh, and it has a Depth-of-Field Preview, on a k1000 you have to unlock the lens and turn it for that.
i haven't been able to find a meter i could put up with for less than the newer camera.

i gave up on getting it fixed after sending it in, and pentax being unable to test the meter in any speed other then 100iso. spent half an hour trying to get them to understand what was wrong with is finally decided the drone i was talking to had never touched a camera.

[KD5NRH]

Cameraquest is selling them for $69.  I'm trying to decide if it's worth getting a body to "play" with.  Anyone have any experience?

So, what's the advantage of this over a whatever-you've-already-got-to-T adapter, and a T-to-Leica lens adapter?

[mtnbkr]

So, what's the advantage of this over a whatever-you've-already-got-to-T adapter, and a T-to-Leica lens adapter?

Keeping in mind I posted that question nearly SIX years ago, the advantages were:
less expensive
more compact than my Olympus OM1


I no longer have any film cameras and the Bessa L, when you can find one, is well above $69.  I no longer need/want one, but you guys are free to discuss the SIX year old post all you want. :D

Chris

[KD5NRH]

I no longer need/want one, but you guys are free to discuss the SIX year old post all you want.

It's not our fault that your mind is too disorganized to follow a conversation through to a proper conclusion in a reasonable time.