Re: [Leica] Re: Cosina Distribution in the US

["onetreehillclw" <onetreehillclw@compaq.net>]

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "onetreehillclw" <onetreehillclw@compaq.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 9:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Cosina Distribution in the US


> Completely agree Tom,
>
> I just used my 15mm Heliar at Mardi Gras. I shot 3 rolls of color
> and 3 rolls of black and white with the 15mm on my M1. I've only
> had the lens one month and I'm amazed by its sharpness! I have been
> using the 25mm Skopar for a year now and it is also a great lens. Maybe
not
> as good as the 21mm Elmarit, but you can't beat the price. I have some
> pictures available to send to anyone if they want to see the 15mm
> photos.
>
> I do think that the Bessa-R is too expensive. The body is not well made in
> my opinion. It feels too fragile. I'll stick with my M's for bodies. Time
> will
> tell if a Bessa-R lasts as long as a M3 or a M2. The meter does not
concern
> me.
>
> Let's hope Cosina continues to make great lenses. I am not one who can
> go out and buy the newer Leica lenses without maxing my credit card first.
> Hey Tom, is the 50/1.5 really sharper? I would love to try one.
>
> Chris Williams
> onetreehillclw@compaq.net
> LHSA member
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <TTAbrahams@aol.com>
> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 6:47 PM
> Subject: [Leica] Re: Cosina Distribution in the US
>
>
> > Jem, Voigtlander is imported to the US through THK (Tokina- Hoya-
Kenko).
> It
> > is not a very good fit as THK is rather ignorant about cameras. The
> > Voigtlander lens line is not a difficult one to sell, there are enough
> users
> > of M-mount and LTM mounts to provide a good market. The bodies (Bessa-R,
> > Bessa-L and Bessa-?. I do know but I can't tell yet!) are a different
case
> > altogether. Mechanically they are quite remarkable, I have had my
Bessa-R
> and
> > Bessa-L most likely longer than anyone outside of Japan and neither one
> has
> > given me a single instance of problem. I do not "baby" cameras - they
have
> to
> > take the use and abuse that shooting 2-3 rolls a day constitutes. So far
I
> > have replaced the batteries in the Bessa-L once and the Bessa R is still
> on
> > its original set. Now, my M6 TTL's is different story! I agree, the
Bessa
> > bodies feel less solid than the M bodies but if they had brass
top-plates
> and
> > metal back-doord, they would cost close to what a Leica costs. The
analogy
> > with something like the Nikon FM/FM-2 is somewhat incorrect. It is very
> cost
> > efficient to make 250 000 top-plates and design the camera to fit the
> supply.
> > Both the Bessa-R and L were "new" designs and the fact that Cosina could
> use
> > parts that they produce for other cameras, cut the cost dramatically.
The
> > shutter and chassi are Nikon FM-10/Olympos-2000 parts and I would assume
> that
> > the production of Bessa cameras is considerably smaller than either of
the
> > Nikon or Olympos models.
> >   I for one appreciate the cameras and lenses that Cosina/Voigtlander is
> > putting out. It has allowed me to use stuff like ultra-wide angles 12/15
> mm
> > lenses at a price that i could not even get the finder for a Leica
> version.
> > The 50/1,5 is sharper than the Summilux (and I do not mind the "bokeh"),
> the
> > 75/2,5 is a perfect pocketable long normal. The Cosina products have not
> > stopped me from buying and using Leica products, but it has filled in
some
> of
> > the "blanks" in my lens cabinet.
> >  An other aspect of the Voigtlander line is that in two years, they have
> > produced a line of lenses and cameras that it took Leica 45 years to do
> and
> > they are not through yet!
> > Tom A
>