A special 250th anniversary set, sold with a 50 mm f 2 mmount collapsible heliar lens, was also announced. Cosina voigtlander bessa r4a cosina rangefinder cameras. Led shutter speed readout from 1 to 2000 at the bottom of the finder. Parts are not always available from the manufacturer.
All the cosina voigtlander bessa models have bessa l bessa r bessa t bessa r 2 bessa r 2s bessa r 2c bessa r 2a bessa r3a bessa r 2m bessa r 3 m bessa r 4a bessa r 4m bessa iii bessaflex tm vsl 43 cosina bayonet, 35mm film cameras bessa r bessa l, bessa t, and medium format cameras bessa. Gobe canon eos efefs lens to leica m camera body mount. Ive shot 3 rolls of film with it so far superia 400, portra 400, kodak gold 400 with a canon 501. Ideally use the minolta auto electroflash cle, since its sculpted to fit the cle perfectly. Nothing like a minolta xk film camera which feels incredibly solid. Voigtlander bessa t and bessa r series are compact and lightweight 35mm rangefinder camera with focal plane shutter with 12000s top speed, ttl exposure metering and led finder readout. I thought it was a great camera, and wish i hadnt sold it. Fotodiox lens mount adapter, leica m lens to sony alpha nex emount camera, fits sony nex3, nex5, nex5n, nex7, nex7n, nexc3, nexf3, sony camcorder nexvg10, vg20, fs100, fs700, fits leica m lens, cl lens, ernst leitz canadas elcan lens, konica hexar rf lens, and minolta cl, cle rokkor lens, voigtlander lenses with the bessa t, r2, r2a, r3a, r4a, r2m, r3m and r4m, rollei 35 rf, zeiss. The nokton 40mm will mount on a leica cl body for a fast 40mm lens setup f1. With the voightlnder bessa r3a 35mm rangefinder film camera, those images are pristine and vivid. Otherwise, if i press the shutter button at the moment of impact, i get a foot that on close inspection is putting a 2 inch dimple in what looks like a static ball on the ground. Its comfortable focal length pairs with an impressively fast f1.
A cla is and adjustment and cleaning and does not include repairs of broken or worn out. For this reason i purchased a later copy of the minolta 40mm. The bessa r2m and bessa r3m, both announced in germany around march 2006 and in may elsewhere, are the current, manual exposure, mechanicalshutter equivalents of the r2a and r3a. Better coatings makes the minolta 40mm v2 less prone to flare unlike the leica summicron and minolta v1. Im just a little annoyed that the cle doesnt meter outside of ae mode, and that the iso. The minolta cle had always intrigued me as a lighter body alternative to my heavier leica m bodies, like the m3, m6, and m7, while still being compatible with my leica mmount lenses all in a compact package about the same size as my fuji x100t, or 1970s era fixed lens rangefinder compacts like the olympus 35rc. The bessa r3a kit lens the voigtlander nokton 40mm f1. Rare item on eby uk minolta cle v bessa r3a is the leica cl a leica or not. Minolta cle has a bigger viewfinder, whit the frame for a 28mm, while leica larger frame is for a 40mm. There are r2a, r2m, r3a, and r3m too but if you say the cle is too much they will be too. Fast forward to 2004 when cosina introduced the r2a and r3a.
Leica fans will squawk about brass and metal, and claim the cle is cheap and plastic. The hexar rf is based on an earlier pointandshoot called the hexar af that konica came out in 199x. Foldable note for leica m8, m5, cl, minolta cle and konica rf. Oct 14, 2003 it makes more noise than the cle or an m6 but not as much as the bessa. I sold it after a few weeks as after the novelty of new camera wore off, i could not see picking it over an m3 to shoot with. Rangefinders contax vs leica vs bessa ci photocommunity. Voigtlander bessa r3a 35mm rangefinder film camera body only.
The r3m slows me down and makes me think as i compose each image which has led to some amazing images. T, r2, r2m, r3m and r4m models are equipped with fully mechanical shutter, while r2a, r3a and r4a feature electronically controlled shutter and offer aperture. The m3s vf is just perfect for 50mm lenses, the rf patch is larger, the camera is much smoother and quieter to use and quite frankly is just a joy to handle. Dec 29, 2014 the metering range of the voigtlanders only goes down to 1ev 100iso vs. Its an all manual camera that combines the best of all of leicas previous models. The bessa 35mm cameras are manufactured in japan by cosina as a revival of the voigtlander brand name. Some of the cl cameras manufactured are branded as minolta cl or. The chassis and parts are very different but shares the exposure meter and similar shutter systems. Cosina voigtlander bessa r3a cosina rangefinder cameras. Jun 06, 2012 since i enjoyed the full manual operation of my friends m6, i chose the mechanical version of bessa the m in the name signifies the manual mechanical version, r3a has aperture priority and is electronic in operation. The five greatest mmount film cameras of all time the. Its much smaller and the lenses are pretty cheap compared to leica m mount.
So not to repeat myself with another leica cl vs camera x list instead i will share 10 facts about the voigtlander bessa r3a. Minolta s audacious cle of 1980 was unquestionably the japanese mmount rangefinder 35 with the most direct connection to the leica lineagehardly surprising since it was the hightech successor of the leica minolta cl a compact mmount rangefinder camera designed jointly by leica and minolta, introduced in 1973, and marketed. Any suggestions on a model and lens selection for a non rangefinder kinda person. The bessa family of cameras is manufactured in japan by cosina as a revival of the voigtlander brand name. The bessa r2a and r3a autoexposure rangefinder the bessa r2a and bessa r3a, both introduced in 2004, are the current models in the bessa line.
Again, the r3a r3m are the only m mount film cameras ever with a 1. The more i use my 16mm fisheye the more i am sticking in manual. I wanted a manual camera that didnt rely on batteries to operate so that ruled out the cle. Oct 30, 2005 on the bessa t, r2, and r3a i have to consciously delay my shot so that the struck ball is leaving the foot as it follows through to imply action. So i met the seller and the camera wasnt fully functional. All the cosina voigtlander bessa models have bessa l bessa r bessa t bessa r 2 bessa r 2s bessa r 2c bessa r 2a bessa r 3a bessa r 2m bessa r 3m bessa r4a bessa r 4 m bessa iii bessaflex tm vsl 43 cosina film cameras bessa r bessa l, bessa t, and medium format cameras bessa iii cosina. The metering range of the voigtlanders only goes down to 1ev 100iso vs. Kodak camera rangefinder camera retro camera movie camera camera gear old cameras antique cameras vintage cameras canon. Yes i would definitely recommend this item and this company. If you dont have one, any minolta pxseries flash for the xseries manual focus slrs works perfectly for ttl exposure. May 23, 2016 the film advance lever is incredibly smooth smoother than my ms but it feels fragile in comparison. Leica m mount, bessa r2r3r4 konica hexar rf minolta cle rollei 35. On manual exposure, the chosen shutter speed dial is lit, while the suggested shutter. There are r2a, r2m, r3a, and r3m too but if you say the cle is too much.
The voigtlander bessa r2m and r3m rangefinder camera, features a. It looks good, feels good and the power switch is right by your thumb. There are two models one is a rangefinder camera zeiss ikon or commonly referred to as zeiss ikon zm, however greatly redesigned compared to the bessas, particularly in its viewing system. Metering in manual or ae with ae exposure lock yes, unlike the minolta cle, the new bessas have metered manual exposure. The voigtlander bessar2m and r3m rangefinder camera, features a. Minolta went on to produce components, cameras, and lens elements for. Dec 10, 2018 codesigned by leitz and minolta and manufactured by the latter in japan, the cl was known at various times and in various places as the leica cl, the leitz minolta cl, or the minolta cl. I so infrequently shoot in that sort of light, i cant really see this as an issue, but for anyone who likes taking photos in moonlight, the m7 is probably a better choice. Dec 31, 2020 it is derived from cosinas voigtlander 35mm bessa series. The big advantage though, is the excellent autofocus and auto exposure.
In manual mode, the experience is identical, and even. All the cosina voigtlander bessa models have a double focalplane shutter with two sets of curtains to prevent damage by the sun. Minolta cle has the rangefinder base some millimeter larger than leica minolta cle has the aperture priority mode, unlike leica that has only manual mode. My search for an inexpensive leica backup that frames 40 and 90 lenses led me to initially consider the r3a. Aug 02, 2019 the minolta cle had always intrigued me as a lighter body alternative to my heavier leica m bodies, like the m3, m6, and m7, while still being compatible with my leica mmount lenses all in a compact package about the same size as my fuji x100t, or 1970s era fixed lens rangefinder compacts like the olympus 35rc. I have had with a rangefinder was a nikon s and the bessa r3a. Does anyone have any thoughts on these cameras price vs quality vs reliability, pros, or cons or any other options out there with 40mm framelines that im not aware of. Voigtlander bessa r3a black rangefinder 35mm camera w. Bessa r2m r3m specs leica m mount 35mm film cameras with manual exposure. Cosina unveiled a slew of new lenses during this period in both m39 and m mount.
Voigtlander bessa t vs r3m vs leica cl and leica summicron 40mm f2 vs minolta rokkorm 40mm f2 in reply to bosjohn21 mar 11, 2015 inso far as i know there is no performance difference between the wetzlar badged and minolta badged summicrons rokkor c lenses for the leica cl. Three specially designed lenses with focal lengths and speeds of 28mm f2. There is something undeniably personal about being able to adjust an image yourself. Fotodiox lens mount adapter, leica m lens to sony alpha nex emount camera, fits sony nex3, nex5, nex5n, nex7, nex7n, nexc3, nexf3, sony camcorder nexvg10, vg20, fs100, fs700, fits leica m lens, cl lens, ernst leitz canadas elcan lens, konica hexar rf lens, and minolta cl, cle rokkor lens, voigtlander lenses with the bessa t, r2, r2a, r3a, r4a, r2m, r3m and r4m, rollei. Voigtlander bessa r2a or r3a 35mm leica m mount rangefinders. Voigtlander bessat vs r3m vs leica cl and leica summicron. With the voigtlander bessa, i was presented r2, r3 and r4, all having an a aperture priority or m manual mode. So when i saw a gray bessa r3a for sale that looked like it was in excellent condition i just had to go for it. Olympus 35dc and summicron c on leica cl, minolta cle and bessa r3a. Voigtlander bessat vs r3m vs leica cl and leica summicron 40mm.
My bessa r3m is totally manual and can operate without a battery. But if you use minolta in manual mode the meter doesnt work. Voigtlander bessa r3a 35mm rangefinder film camera 40mm f1. If you are thinking of manual focus, i would recommend you check out the minolta cle. Lightweight and compact minolta cle is the worlds first rangefinder camera with interchangeable lenses and ttl automatic and manual exposure systems. Shutter speeds range from 1 to 12000s and bulb b, with flash sync at 1125s on hotshoe or pc terminal.
Archive page 3 this forum is about all things leica cl and minolta cle. Bessa r2a r2m or leica cl of minolta cle 40mm in reply to ty madey oct 21, 2016 the classic 40 mm lenses are the 40mm leica sumicron for the leica cl camera or the even better so some say minolta 40 mm for their wonderful cle cameras basically a much improved version of the leica cl. The voigtlander bessa r3m will rock your rangefinder world. Please note leica no longer repairs screw mount bodies. The only previous leica mount m film camera to leave the factory with a 1.
Although in all my times of shooting manual with bw film i just meter once and add or take a stop when light changes substantially. The version 2 of the lens was the minolta cle 40mm lens whereas the version 1 was the minolta cl 40mm lens. The meter in the cle turns off if you put it in manual mode. Minolta cle v bessa r3a leica m leica cl minolta cle film. Voigtlander bessa t, r, r2, r2s, r2c, r2a, r3a, r4a, r2m, r3m, r4m. In addition, theres a relatively rare 50 jahre anniversary edition made to celebrate fifty years of leica cameras 19251975 and these come with.
This cameras manual focus mode delivers that experience and lets you enjoy crystalclear and sharp images. The film advance lever is incredibly smooth smoother than my ms but it feels fragile in comparison. This is a sturdy chunk of metal that does exactly what it is. I come from a dslr background i own a d600 and i really think using a full manual film rangefinder could be a lot more enjoyable for what i want. Why i choose the minolta cle over any leica m casual photophile. They are both updated versions of the bessa r2, with the leica m mount and an aperturepriority automatic exposure, switchable to manual. Voigtlander bessa t, r, r2, r2s, r2c, r2a, r3a, r4a, bessa r2 manual r2m, bessa r2 manual r3m, r4m. Wouldnt it be nice if for the new year konica minolta would reintroduce the cle with manual metering and rerun the. Jan 06, 2011 unfortunately, the hexar was discontinued in late 2004 and many are waiting to see what konica minolta will come out, hopefully a digital version of the hexar rf minolta cle.
585 989 904 511 983 728 1197 1173 297 1703 973 1310 883 847 846 936 1579 312 1362 1753 248 303 252 657