I’ve no new complaints about my Bessa, but I have to reaffirm that it is terribly useful to have on hand. I just shove it in my bag and pull it out when required, works fine. Quick and easy.
-It’s shutter lock is taking a little getting used to – on my FM2n it’s just a matter of pulling the film advance away from the body and the shutter is unlocked. On the R2A, you have to flick a little switch around the shutter release. I’ll get it eventually, but it throws off my usual automatic operation. Everything else is pretty much a spot on match with the FM2n, and it’s really a personal complaint than anything. Unless you do things exactly how I do, you probably wont even notice it. Buuut if Cosina would like to make the shutter lock the same as the FM2n, I wouldn’t mind.

I commented earlier about the “leather” on the body, and while I like the rest of the camera this still irks me a bit. With the solid feel of the rest of the camera, the plastic of the body covering detracts somewhat.
But then I ran across this! Cameraleather.com, and it’s [page on the Bessas]. Apparently I’m not the only one with this qualm. You can get a new covering mailed to you for under $50.

Update! I emailed [Mainline Photo] about their 2 year Voigtlander warranty and how it relates to changing the cosmetics of the camera.

Hi Alex,

No worries go for it. Send us some photos of the finished product.
Your full warranty will still apply.

Kind Regards

Scott Vanthoff

I’m sort of considering some accessories now. The nice part of a modern camera system is that you can buy things new, and accessories haven’t yet become the target of collectors more than users. A trigger winder will set you back around $200, and a soft release maybe $20. I’m considering both. A side grip is only $75-ish, but I think you might as well get the winder and add some extra functionality.

-The metering reminds me of the Canon EF bodies, but it’s a bit new to me not to be able to see the aperture figure in the viewfinder. Apparently the Bessa R2M/R3M/R4M’s have a metering system closer to my FM2n.

-I’ve experienced some “white-out” with the metering figures in the bottom of the viewfinder, but I think it just needs fresh batteries, or I’m still not used to looking 100% front on into the viewfinder. Doesn’t happen too often.

-Aperture Priority exposure is lovely to have.

-My lock on the rewind crank doesnt lock. This locking switch is meant to stop the rewind crank from lifting freely and risking opening the back. The rewind crank doesnt lift freely, but it doesnt lock either. I took it back to PhotoCo Camera House and they offered to either return it and get it repaired for me, or look after me on a future purchase. I opted for the latter, and worked out a deal for the new 35mm f/1.4 MC M-mount lens when I have the money. It’s not a fatal flaw, just cosmetic and a little bit irksome.

So I’m still pretty happy, like I said it compliments my FM2n perfectly. I got some good shots on the Era Pan 100 I have left today, I’ll get them developed and scanned this weekend. Also I’ll have the first roll of colour photos I got back today scanned and uploaded.
I’m very happy with the Canon 50mm f/1.8 too.

So keep an eye out for part 3~

The R2A

So, some first impressions! You’ll notice how much I compare it to my FM2N. This is the camera I measure all other against, and has been a dear friend. It works, it takes a beating and it takes wonderful photos and feels right in my hands.

-It’s a bit silly how german they try to seem. You could call it honoring the heritage of the Voigtlander name, but everythig on the box is written in english with german underneath. In the manual, the german entry comes first. On the back it lists “Voigtlander Germany, Since 1756″. This date is correct for the original Voigtlander company, but if you check it’s base it’s stamped “Made in Japan”. It’s made by Cosina of Japan, not a widely known name, but they’re good enough to make Nikon’s FM10 and the Zeiss Ikon. Cosina has made a name for themselves in these last few years, and I hope in the future they wont feel they need to be more German-y to compete. Their work speaks for itself. It’s not forged in the firey depths of Mt. Doom by strong german dwarves, but they do good work.

-The shutter is fine. It’s quieter than an SLR by a long way, and while it isnt as quiet as a Leica, you’re not gonna get an M6 for less than double the cost of a Bessa. It’s an entry level system, and the shutter feels just right to me.

-The body construction is wonderful. I’ve heard some gripes that they dont feel heavy enough. The body is made from a magnesium alloy and it’s solid and feels firm in your hands. The weight is about the same as my FM2n.

-I would be gentler with it than my FM2n. I’d be worried about throwing the rangefinder alignment if I banged it against any walls, where as if my FM2n hits anything I just brush it off without a second though. You have to be a bit nicer to Rangefinders.

-The “leather” finish feels rather plastic-y, but I assume some wear will do it good. It’s fresh out of the box right now.

-The viewfinder is fantastic, and the rangefinder patch is bright and clear

-It has a quiet, unobtrusive profile. It looks funny to some people and I got some questions about it from classmates, but none of them took it as a high-end camera. I doubt I have to worry about anyone stealing it.

-Film loading is easy and pretty much exactly the same as my FM2n. One thing it does better is the little film reminder window, so you can see what you have loaded in the camera. Always wanted this on my FM2n.

-Metering is pretty much spot on from what I’ve seen so far, and the A-priority auto-exposure comes in handy.

-Film advance feels smooth, and the on/off switch is in the perfect spot.

So far I think it’ll be easy for me to use this camera next to my FM2n, when a smaller and quieter camera is needed. I’m very happy with my purchase, and the new range of lenses I can start to play around with.

PhotoCo Camera House is the only Authorised Voigtlander Dealer in the state of South Australia.

5 Western Road
Adelaide Central Market
Adelaide, South Australia
Phone: (08) 8231 5632
Fax: (08) 8410 1003
Email: photoco@ozemail.com.au
Web: www.photococamerahouse.com

MainlinePhoto is the Australian Voigtlander distributor, and you can [find their website here]. Their prices are higher than CameraQuest, but you have a full 2 year warranty and they do the job of servicing and replacing your camera if you need it.

Expect photos of it, and taken by it, later this week.

Voigtlander Bessa R4A and M models

Since then I’ve quietly wanted a new Rangefinder camera, preferable with TTL metering, trigger winding, full manual operations and interchangeable lenses. The two most popular lens mounts for rangefinders are the Leica Thread Mount (also known as LTM, screw mount, S mount or M39), and it’s successor, the Leica M mount. LTM lenses can be adapted to M mount cameras perfectly, and thus an M mount camera has the largest number of available lenses of any rangefinder.

But why a rangefinder? What advantage does it offer over a regular old SLR? This is really the first question you should ask if you already have an SLR, like I do. They do look very pretty, but that isn’t much of a reason.
There’s a wider selection of unique (and decidedly odd) lenses, spanning the greater part of the 20th century. They offer a slimmer camera, without the need for a mirror box as in an SLR it’s more compact. And this is one of their greatest advantages – they look like crappy old tourist cameras at first glance. They’re fantastic for candid, quiet work – people will notice an SLR more, and an SLR with a big lens is just intimidating. It could even get you some nasty glances, these days.
A Rangefinder with a slightly wide lens, like a 35mm, is fantastic for candid photojournalism-type work. It’s barely noticeable, and the shutters are quiet (without the mirror “slap” you get in an SLR, as the mirror flips up).
My old Canonet had a 40mm lens and this is exactly what I used it for, and it was great. The Rangefinder focus spot takes some getting used to, and it was horribly dim on my Canonet, but it’s an efficient focusing system.

Due to what’s being heralded as a “Rangefinder Renaissance” in recent years, you can get a decent new Rangefinder at a reasonable price. That means the functionality of a Leica, without the prestige price point. The Voigtlander brand has been revived by Cosina of Japan (who also manufacture Nikon’s FM10), to give some competition to Leica as a Rangefinder Manufacturer. They’re also making a line of great quality (as well as affordable), lenses.

This is where my fawning comes into it. There are three Voigtlander Bessas available in the standard Leica M mount, and each model with two variations.
The Bessa R2, R3, and R4.
These each come in Manual and Automatic models. The M cameras have a fully mechanical shutter (if the battery dies, the shutter still fires), and the A cameras have an electronic shutter and Aperture Priority shooting. Set the aperture and the camera will automatically select the shutter speed. Battery dies, the camera’s dead.
I’m incredibly fond of manual operations, I don’t like the idea of cameras being entirely battery dependent. This is part of my I love my Nikon FM2n so much.
But, I have to admit Aperture priority comes in handy when you’re shooting quick.

Taken on an EOS 300x using Aperture priority.

So I’m currently leaning towards an A model, with an M to supplement it. TWO bodies? Well, one can dream.
But I’ll get the A first, for the “just in case” of having Aperture priority as an option. And I expect I’ll be using it in cities (candid), where batteries are available, so I’m not too worried about the power thing.

But then which model? They’re all very similar, with some key differences; Finder Magnification and Framelines.
Framelines:
R2 – 35/50/75/90
R3 – 40/50/75/90
R4 – 21/25/28/35/50

Finder Magnifications:
R2 – .7
R3 – 1.0
R4 – .52

Framelines take care of showing where the edge of the frame is in the viewfinder. If you’re using a 50mm lens, use 50mm framelines, so you can compose the photograph. If you’re using 35mm, use 35mm framelines. Or, if you’re using an R3, use an auxiliary viewfinder in the flash shoe, with 35mm framelines. It’s worth pointing out that the R4 has the widest frame lines of any rangefinder on the market, or produced ever. Neat huh.
The Finder Magnifications indicate the magnification of the viewfinder – think of it as how wide the viewfinder is. 1.0, on the R3, means you can shoot with both eyes open, with one looking through the viewfinder. Useful, apparently.

These are the major differences. Apart from this, they all have the same metal construction and shutters (between the M and A models), throughout this generation.

So, out of the current R generation of Cosina Voigtlander (CV) Cameras, I’d rather like an R4A. Aperture Priority with wide angle lenses – sounds fun to me.
I’d take an R3M to supplement it too, happily.

Currently, the R4A is available from CameraQuest For $669USD. Factoring in postage and currency conversion, this is about $800AUD.
Mainline Photo in Sydney is also the Australian importer and distributor for these cameras. An R4A comes to $995AUD ($895AUD for the R3M), but it’s likely to get to you quicker and you have an Australian warranty. If I could afford it, I’d prefer to buy from Mainline Photo.
Currently though, it looks like I have a lot of saving to do no matter how I swing it. I’ve purchased a Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens and an M adapter, so at least I have a lens when I do get it.

For more information on Voigtlander RF’s and lenses
Check out CameraQuest. They really have everything you’d ever like to know about Rangefinders, and this brand in particular.
http://www.cameraquest.com/