[Leica] Bessa R - first impressions (Long)

[Bill Larsen <ohlen@sierratel.com>]

My Bessa R arrived to today and I wanted to share my first thoughts about
this body with you.

It is not an M6  nor an M3 nor a screw mount Leica.  It has a completely
different feel.  Much lighter and the shutter release is in a different
position which is causing some fumbling on my part.  This camera is not a
good candidate for an Abrahamsson soft release because I think that it
would hit the large shutter dial and because I cannot find anyway to turn
off the meter.  The meter operates both when the shutter is cocked and when
it is not.

Fit and finish:  Once again this is not a Leica.  Everything seems to fit
well and function well.  I have the black version of the camera and the
finish is somewhat uneven in terms of gloss.  In fact, the back of the
camera has no covering and appears to have a rub mark in the center which
has a glossy appearance rather than the matt appearance of the rest of the
camera.

Frame selector and framing:  The frame selector is manually set.  I don't
see this as a disadvantage.  It is akin to using the frame preview lever on
the M series.  The framelines are very bright and very clear.  No confusion
as to where the frame lies.

Film loading:  The Bessa R uses a very standard method.  You just pull the
film across, line it up with the sprokets, tuck it into the take-up and
your done.  As has been pointed out, the body is a modification of a very
standard SLR body.

Viewfinder and Rangefinder:  I find the viewfinder very bright and clear.
The rangefinder appears to work very well.  The rangefinder patch has much
less flare than the M's when the subject is backlit.  This is a definite
plus for me.

Shutter:  The shutter is louder than the Leica RFs.  I like the synch at
1/125 and the top speed at 1/2000.   I haven't tried hand holding it at
speeds of less than 1/30th yet so I cannot speak to the question of how
slow you can go.  The release is very smooth and is shaped like a smaller
version of the TA soft release although it does not extend beyond its collar.

Lens alignment:  I have the Cosina 15/4 and the Voigtländer 35/1.7.  I have
been using these on the M body.  They couple pefectly to the screw mount
Bessa R.  The 35/1.7 seems spot on as regards focus.

Flash plug placement:  I seldom use flash with RF cameras, but when I do I
never use the hot shoe.  The flash plug is located on the left side of the
camera.  This is a great bonus to left eyed shooters who always have the
danger of removing the right eye when using the flash plug.

Film window:  I love this because the purpose of getting the Bessa R was to
allow everyone in the family the opportunity to learn "the rangefinder way"
without having to worry about carrying around relatively expensive
equipment.  Thus we are no longer blind to what film the last user left in
the camera.

Is the Bessa R competition for Leica?  Personally I don't think that the
Bessa R will have any negative impact on Leica.  It is not a Leica in terms
of the same quality feel.  What I think it will do is allow a smooth
relatively lower cost entry into changeable lens Leica screw mount cameras
for people that otherwise would not invest in a rangefinder camea.  Prior
to this camera, one could buy a used Leica, a Soviet copy, or a used
Minolta.  I think that the similarities to standard SLRs in the body
functions and film loading will allow more people to begin using serious
rangefinder cameras and ultimately migrate to Leica.  Overall, I think
Leica missed the boat in not introducing their own version of the Bessa R.

Now if I could just learn to read the instruction which are in Japanese
(the camera has a low serial number (1524) and I assume that it was
produced for the Japanese market)...

Regards, Bill (barely functional in e-mail and without a spell checker
until after 15 April) Larsen