Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The major difference between the Yasuhara and the Bessa-R is in the type of viewfinder used. Both of them may appear superficially similar, posessing a more squat shape than the Leica-M / Konica Hexar-RF. The Yasuhara has a 'static' 50mm field of view with 1:1 magnification and a brightline. The Bessa-R seems to have a viewfinder of the type used by Canon in the 1950s on the VT model whereby there is an option of magnification available to the user. A lever sets the magnification to offer a 35mm field of view (I'm unsure whether there is a frameline or not), then with a turn of the top mounted lever it can offer a 50, or a 75mm setting. The 35mm setting also seems to offer the 90mm option, I'd presume this to be a second frameline. This was /is(?) achieved by rotating a cunningly designed optical unit through 270 degrees. With the short base length of the rangefinder it is important to offer as much magnification of the viewfinder image in order to maximise the accuracy of the focusing. However I suspect that neither of these two camera will be the ideal vehicle for more taxing lenses such as the 85/2, 85/1.5, 100/2 or 135/2.8 lenses. The Yasuhara has the rangefinder window built into the second illuminating window (for the brightline) whereas the Bessa has a seperate window from the illuminator. Jem - -----Original Message----- From: Robert Deane [SMTP:deane@pcug.org.au] The image shown has a remarkable resemblance to the publicity photos of the screw mount Yasuhara T981 shown at www.cameraquest.com/yasuhp.htm. Curious as the T981 is supposedly made in China.