BESSA-L Rangefinder

MDowdey · Oct 21, 2005

click here for voigtlander bessa-l

Why is this so cheap? I was looking for rangefinders on a whim, and this popped up. anybody have any info on this guy?

md

ksmattfish · Oct 21, 2005

Mainly this body is an inexpensive (but nice) vehicle for several very nice, very wide, very expensive lenses. Even though it is called a rangefinder, you'll notice there is no actual rangefinder. It uses interchangable viewfinders instead. A different one for each lens.

MDowdey · Oct 21, 2005

ksmattfish said:
Mainly this body is an inexpensive (but nice) vehicle for several very nice, very wide, very expensive lenses. Even though it is called a rangefinder, you'll notice there is no actual rangefinder. It uses interchangable viewfinders instead. A different one for each lens.

in your opinion, is it worth it as a rangefinder goes? or should I go to ye ole ebay and take a gander first?

ksmattfish · Oct 21, 2005

Actually those Voigtlander wide angle lenses aren't so expensive, although once you add the price of a body and a lens, you are probable well on the way to having enough money for a used, more all purpose rangefinder.

ksmattfish · Oct 21, 2005

MDowdey said:
in your opinion, is it worth it as a rangefinder goes?

Well, this camera has no focus assist. It is designed for 15mm and 12mm lenses (and remember that's full frame 35mm focal lengths). If you are going to go that ultra wide all the time, sure go for it. If you want a general purpose rangefinder that will handle more normal focal lengths, keep looking.

There are a lot of rangefinder options that are cheaper than Leica.

MDowdey · Oct 21, 2005

ksmattfish said:
Well, this camera has no focus assist. It is designed for 15mm and 12mm lenses (and remember that's full frame 35mm focal lengths). If you are going to go that ultra wide all the time, sure go for it. If you want a general purpose rangefinder that will handle more normal focal lengths, keep looking.

There are a lot of rangefinder options that are cheaper than Leica.

thanks alot matt, im still looking around.

DocFrankenstein · Oct 21, 2005

Get your hands on bessa R3A

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...s&Q=&sku=355973&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

It's better than leica IMO and with the 100% viewfinder you can keep both of your eyes open, which I like a lot.

too bad I have to borrow it to shoot with it.