I think that from my limited experience this bag is very capable and worth at least twice of what I paid, and possibly three times!! Either way, it can be found for $100 or less anywhere you look (that isn't a retail shop ~ $139). Good purchase for me, hope you enjoy it as much!! Anchorage Mobile Truck Repair

None . .

Magnesium alloy body, top quality.

No self timer.

So far on of the most succesful camera taken the Bessa range as all together.
Bessa R2 bring the budget camera of Leica M mount and makes possible for everyone to have in terms of proce.
Fantastic and easy to use.
With its mechanical shutter speeds it makes this no much difference to other top rangefinder cameras except the price.

Customer Service

None.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon S, Bessa T, Leitz CL.

Built like a tank. Great for streetphotography. Affordable and has killer lenses...just a good a Leica without the $$$.

Loud ss compared to a Leica or any old school rangefinder.

I have owned this camera for several months and it has been a dream to use. First, it can't compare to Leica - How could it, it cost about 1/3 of what they go for. Ya can't compare a Porsche with a Honda. Anyway, it is one well built machine for the price. No problems so far and I'm hard on a camera...it has been on some journeys where more plastic cameras around this price would not have made it back. It is easy to focus and works well with streetphotography. The meter seems to be accurate and I have produce some excellent negs. This is highly recommended for the beginner who wants a camera that will help them learn the basics of photography. You will find that it is a trustworthy camera that will never leave you high and dry (even if the batteries go out). Also, I believe with the limited production of this camera you'll have a collectors item on hand, but go for the olive :)

Customer Service

none needed.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M7 (used not bought...one day tho!) Yashica Electro 35 GSN (if you can find one buy it!)

Wonderful unexpensive Voigtlander lenses available Robust and small Amazing value for money

TTL meter has a small EV range for today's standards Shutter release bottom is not senistive enought

Price above is in Sterling Pounds for a second hand olive camera that I bought a few months ago. It was in as new state and basically I think it had received no use and that Ffordes was selling it as second-hand because the camera is now discontinued. The first thing that attracted me about this camera is the estetics. The olive Bessar R2 is a beauty. That said I love military cameras and its imitations. In general I love using this camera and I am having a loty of fun with it. To me it is a camera that demands shotting handheld and not really a tripod. If I want to shoot with tripod I always use another camera. But as a carry everywhere handheld shooter is fantastic. It is slightly smaller than my Nikon FM3a (but just a little bit smaller). However, the FM3a is a better quality made and has a more accurate meter. Nevertheless, the Bessa R2 is still a wonderfull camera. As a mechanical rangefinder is the best value for money. It has three quirks, one of them easily repairable. The first is that the rangefinder needs adjustment when it leaves the factory, because it does not focus to infinite. It is a very easy adjustemnt and I wonder why Cosina does not do it in the factory. (This is a known quirk that convinced me that my suposed to be used camera had not being used). The second is that the lightmeter is not accurate below 1/30 speed and f2.8 at ISO 100. I am surprised that such a modern camera has such a small range of EV measures in the meter. My Nikon FM3a measures exposures of a few minutes. My X-Pan II measures exposures of 30 seconds at f4 and ISO 100. This is exactly the same problem suffered by the predecessor the Bessa R adn I am curious to know if it has been corrected with the two Bessa R3 models avaliable now. I have a Vöigtlander VC meter (make 1) that I use with a Leica IIIc. The VC meter is the same meter than that of the Bessa R2 and Bessa R and it is very accurate in all circumtances. The problem in the Bessa R2 and Bessa R is not the meter but the way it takes the reading from the reflected light of the shutter. The thrid quirk is that I was exepecting to use this camera with available light in indoors and low speeds (bellow 1/30) when the Nikon FM3a vibrates too much. I am dispointed on this point because the Bessa is less effective on this than the FM3a in those circumstances, even if the FM3a is a reflex camera. It is also louder than the FM3a. The main issue is not really vibration from the Bessa R2 (which has some coming from the focal plane shutter) but that shutter release bottom of the Bessa R2 that is not sensitive enought compared to the shutter of my FM3a, my X-Pan II and extreamly far from the sensitivity of my Bronica RF645 (a camera that is vibration free). After puting the mini softrelease in the shutter relase bottom, the problem has improved but not dispeared at all. I don't manage to press the shutter release bottom without moving the camera a little bit, but I can do that with the Bronica RF645. Even if the baselengh of the rangefidner is short focusing is accurate. The rangefinder and the viewfinder are very bright and clear. Just for that this is a better camera than the Bessa R. On my part, I have no compaints as far as the rangefinder and the viewfinder are concerned. I only have the Nokton 50mm lens. Great, very fast and sharp lens. Even better very unexpensive like the Bessa R2 body. I have no complaint about that lens except that it takes part of the viewfinder view, specially with the hood. However in practical terms is not big deal. Against what I expected, focusing at f1.5 does not seem to be an issue. I also tested the camera with a Jupiter 3 open at f1.5 and no issues either. As said here already it is a fantastic camera to shoot outdoors and take with you at all times or as a back up for another 35mm camera. For me it is a very acceptable quality as a camera and I reccomended it to any shooter of clasic cameras. Like the Nikon FM3a is a jump to the 70s with modern technology and quality.

Customer Service

I sent the camera back to Ffordes for adjustment of the rangefinder under guarantee. No problems. Although I'm not sure that there is an official Voigtlander repairer in the UK, I'm sure that any good camera repairer will be able to find parts and repair this mechanical camera.

Similar Products Used:

Bronica RF645, Hasselblad X-Pan II, Leica IIIc, Olympus RC and Canonet.

Build quality is a great plus also the variety of different lenses.

Because of it size the smaller lenses can be a bit difficult to use

I bought the Bessa R2 as a second camera to carry with me on trips abroad etc. As my main camera is a medium format Mamiya 6 I was looking for a camera which could fit into a pocket . Having used Nikon cameras for 30 years it was not easy to change to a different camera. The Mamiya 6 is also a rangefinder therefore using the Bessa was very easy although having purchased the 35mm pancake lens it took a few weeks before I was able to focus as quickly as with my other camera. All in all I am very pleased with the Bessa it compliments my other cameras very well. There are times where you want to blend in to the background and not look like some mobile camera stall. As the camera is small and under stated it allows you to do this.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Older Leicas

Well built, high quality, strong metal body, excellent lenses, compatibility with Leica's lenses, light, easy to operate, relatively small, looks really cool...

Mettal shutter is very noisy, the batteries (although not expensive) tend to be sucked up pretty quikly, the strap hinges and the camera case are a bit akwardly designed, (re)winding can be a bit of a pain and rough.

Bessa R2 is my first RF camera and so far I've been very happy with it. I don't have money to afford a Hasselblad or Leica. Contax G1 and G2 were a bit too high-tech for me and Rollei's 35 is nothing else but a Bessa R2, so Bessa R2 was really an obvious choice for me. The camera has been heavily used for over a year and I can only say good things aobut it. It's pretty solid, not too heavy and Voigtlaender Ultron 35mm f1.7 lens is superb. With this RF I've taken some extremely sharp pictures. It's completely manual and it adds more alure to it. In a way it looks very classic and the olive colored models is an eye candy. Many people tried to compare it to Leica, and that it is not. In terms of craftsmanship and build quality this is an excellent product but still far from Leica. It'd be nice if it had a nice and quiet shutter. Sometimes it's hard to focus the camera, low light situations can be a pain in the neck, not to mentione general RF problem with taking pictures of objects that are very close. Yet, rangefinder is very nice and bright. After a few rols of film one quickly gets used to this peice and its compact size made it my favorite all around pice of photo equipment. I am a hard-core manual camera lover, so I really don't miss any of the automation that you get with other high-tech cameras. However, if you ask someone to take picture of you with this camera they'll have a hard time to use it unless they know how to work with AF cameras.Overall it's an excellent entry level RF camera.

Customer Service

www.cameraquest.com is Cosina's US representative - so far they've been very helpful with any accessories, advice, and quiestions I had about the Voigtlaender system(s).

An excellent mount for Leica lenses. I have the olive one - it looks beautiful. 1/2000 sec shutter speed. Great viewfinder.

And reasons for selling. 1) Shutter button far too heavy. I 'missed the moment' when trying it on a sports event. Never did with the Leica. 2) Have put three films through it. The sprocket holes of the film are lined up with the gaps between the pictures, so that when they are cut into strips you have to cut through the sprocket holes. I think that's bad design, and resulted in the grade of 3.

I'm selling this camera 4 days after buying it. OK, I'm probably spoiled - I have two Leicas, and a Leica this isn't. For the money it's great value - built like a tank, seems a reliable, no-fuss camera. Why did I buy it - my Leica M2 doesn;t have a meter, and I couldn't afford another M7. See below for points about the camera.

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Leica, various older compacts (Olympus Trip, etc). Mamiya 7II, Bronica RF645.

Utilitarian character (not too precious), straightforward operation. Outstanding viewfinder. Selectable framelines. Swing-open back. Enormous selection of usable lenses, including most Leica M and screwmount lenses, antique lenses in Leica screwmount from dozens of manufacturers including Nikon and Canon, specialty lenses in Leica M mount and screwmount, and all Cosina-Voigtlander screw and M mount lenses. Reasonable cost.

Strap lugs are misplaced for the smaller lenses, making the camera hang awkwardly. Rewind action a little too stiff.

I bought this camera recently and have taken to it happily. For me it strikes a perfect balance of being nicely made while not being overly precious, which helps me to treat it simply as a camera, yet one that doesn't frustrate because of quality glitches. Most rangefinders are quirky in some way or another, some extremely so. The Bessa R2 isn't. It's just a nicely made, comfortable to use, straightforward rangefinder. The weight is perfect and the grip is comfortable. I prefer the swing-open back to a two-piece back. The viewfinder is outstanding, and I find the selectable viewfinder frames to be a nice touch. I have no trouble with the rangefinder. While some might find the camera a little on the noisy side, I find the character of the shutter noise pleasing and find it doesn't bother me at all. Given its reasonable cost, good build quality, excellent viewfinder, capable technical performance, and quirk-free ergonomics and layout, it's an excellent and highly recommendable choice for anyone who wants to photograph with a classic manual rangefinder.

Customer Service

Not used

Similar Products Used:

Minolta CLE, Leica M3, M4, M6, IIIc, Mamiya 6, Zeiss Contessa, various other rangefinders.

Super build quality Great value for money Great range of lenses Quiet and lightweight Not battery dependant Good retro looks and feel(if you like that sort of thing)

Non particular to this camera so far!

I have only just got a Bessa R2 with the 'pancake' 35mm f2.5 lens, on first inspection it is a much better camera than the R.The build quality is first rate and NO rangefinder or viewfinder problems. I tried an R in a camera shop and was very taken by the idea of a Viogtlander, but the R was a new camera and the rangefinder was a mile out!So after this and reading the very mixed reviews of the R on this site,I ordered the R2. The idea behind this is as a complete change from the top of the range digital slr equipment I use in my professional life(great business tools but no art! at least not for me) It feels great to get back to my roots and shoot 35mm b&w and play in the darkroom again! As for the Voigtlander range of lenses - one word GREAT!! 12mm to 90mm that Leica owners want to use-nuff said. So to anyone looking to buy an R2 (I am assuming you have already made the "want a quality all mechanical rangefinder but cant afford a Leica" decision)I would say give it a try,you could end up smiling. Oh and one tip if like me you are using Voigtlander lenses on an R2 you already know you need an adaptor,however what I didn't know is that you don't need to buy a different adaptor for each lens(ie 35/90 for a 35mm or 50/75 for a 50mm)any one of the adaptors will do for all the lenses.The difference between them is for use on Leica's etc which have auto framelines.This is the info I got and if you know different please let me know!

rangefinder system and the price.

excusible drawbacks for the price.

i think that almost evry one who is interested in this camera somehow has in his mind leica m. so this camera should be evalueted in this respect while knowing that some drawbacks are excussable due to the price differances. at the end, the question is: can it function like the leica in terms of the way u see and vission through it and in terms of the final outcome of the photographs. for me, rangefinder photography is the most dynamic and most intuitive one. it is a senssaion in which u use all your photo knowledge and expiriance in each frame. u see what u see u look through the viewfinder still seeing as with the naked eye, but with the sense of the frame instinctivly rise your knowledge and expiriance, focus and make the pic. its is a fraction of a second. the bessa r2 defenetrly answers this rangefinder needs. the viewfinder is bright and gives a very natural vission. the sense of frame is perfect. if u have the frame lines on 50mm u always feel what is better - 35 or 75. u just know if u want to open the frame and make it more dynamic with 35 or if u want to be more concentrated with the 75. at some point u learn to view it without putting the camera in front of the eye. when u do put it u feel just the same (so the lense of your choice is already on the body). the mental and physical realtion of the naked eye and the observation through the viewfinder is just natural and rewarding. the focusing. the focusing of the rangefinder is the most logical thing (beside the large format groundglass focusing). u see in the centere and just see the frame with bright frame lines. here is the real sensation - in this centralized viewing. u just feel the frame. on the 35mm the focus is more forgiving so u can pay much more attention to the frame in this glance observation. u really feel the wide frame in this way and it has its beautifel outcomes in terms of perspective on the final image. on the 50mm it feels just perfect - u really view through it normally, just choosing the best frame for u with plenty of space in the viewfinder which really helps u to see the alternative framing. with the frame lines of 75mm u r simply concentrated during the focusing both in the center and in the frame. this viewing system with all the focal lenghts gives a perfect sense of space and your relation to the objects of interest. when u move closer u really feel the vizual intimacy with what u look at, and it come out at the end on your negative. i develop the negative and during the exemination of it even without putting it on light table i already feel what it was there when i was taking those images. so the bessa r2 works perfectly in this respect. the answer is yes - it is a true rangefinder. but now some drawbacks. (all the drawbacks i note here are rised through practical use) -first... the frame lines of 90mm is a bit problematic. there are only four signs in the corners of the 90mm frame. so when u look at it u r not pefectly sure about what is going on on the lines of the frame. but u can get used to it. -second... the rangefinder maesuring base on the r2 is short. i wish it was longer. it is importent since that adds acuracy to focusing in case of very wide opent 50mm or in use of long lenses. i dont say that u cannot focus accuratly. i do focus very well, usually perfectly in all conditions, but a serious care should be taken in this situations of widely opened or longer lenses. a longer rf maesuring base would give me much more confidance in fast focusing in this situations. of course in other cases it is not issue at all. now, this problem can be solved by special magnifier which is not exists. i wish voigtlander would make it. leica has such accessory (it magnifies the viewfinder in ratio of x1.25). this could be a very good compasation for the short rf base. hope they will make it at some point. -the next drawback is the shutter trigger. it is not as smooth as i would like it. again, it is importent since a smoother shutter trigger will give much more confidance when the shutter speeds are slow (dawn 1/60 in case of 50mm in order to achive a negative with a critical quality when biggly enlarged). this problem is solved with a special shutter soft release that u can find on the market. it is very valuable accessory which really gives the needed confidance. and with rangefinder where u do not have that annoing mirror u do want to be totally confidante and use this plus point of it at its best. -the frame lines of the focal lenght should be changed menually with this camera. there is a frame of 50mm, of 35 and 90 together, and the 75mm. the full view of viewfinder gives the 28mm, though sometimes i use it for even 25 and it is ok. i only wish it to be automatic like in the leica, cause when the flash unit is on the camera the access to the trigger which changes the frame lines is blocked. but u can get used to it. generally, the camera feels great in the hand especially with the side grip. the build quality also very good and can be used professionaly (heavy use). the mount is that of leica m. so u can use leica lenses or outstanding voigtlander lense. for voigtlander lenses u need adapters. i suggest buying addapter for aech lense since it make it much eassier to change the lenses. u will not be sorry for the price u pay for those addapters. the lenses --- i have posted reviews on voigtlander lenses (25, 35, 50, 75 and 90) so u can read them to get deeper with this issue. generally i can say that the lenses that i own are simply outstanding. - amazing optical quality and a very good build quality. as far as i know they can eassily outperform most of the new prime lenses on the market (of course almost any zoom is out of competition here). they only better lenses are the leicas in case that i do knwo how to use those leicas to achive their potential. the built in light metter i also very good and very accurate and i can trust it confidantly (im doing mostly fine arts in bw, develop myself and print myself but my requirements to correct and creative expossures are very serious, just as of those with the color slide films). the flash synchro is by the way 1/125 which is very usefull. the shutter click noise is not leica but it is acabtable in most of the cases, surely better than the slr's. i only have a little problem with that sound when taking pics discritly in very quaite places. so as a summery (which also can apply to the lenses from voigtlander). it is a range finder in all respects. the drawbacks, though based on practical use are excussible when u think about the joy that the camera gives u and the outcomes of a very high order. they are surely excusable when u think about the price. the whole voigtlander rf system costs about the leica m body, usually less, just look at the prices in b&h web . add to it lenses from leica which on avarage reaches three r2 bodies and u have some orientation. leica is better in evry respect. if some body will say that voigtlander has a better synchro with flash than just buy the m7 body with high synchro metz 54 and voigtlander is dawn even here. if u do have money to buy all the leicas u need (body, lenses. their accessories) then u r lucky and there is nothing to think about. but if it is not the case be totally confidante that the voigtlander with the r2 body and the lenses they have will do the job - a real rangefinder photography, a really outstanding lenses that only leica ooutperforms them. u will see very soon that the differance in price does not represent at all the differances in outcome of the pictures. and the most importent thing - now, one who is interested in rangefinder photography with its mental sensesion and involvement that is so leica, can afford the system and enjoy this unbeatable type of photography.