Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/03/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Here, here! - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Nathan Wajsman (private) Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 1:22 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Entry level non-Leica Mark, Have you actually ever used a Cosina/Voigtländer Bessa R2? Because I am sure if you had, you would not call it cheap and plasticky. That description may have been applicable to the first model, Bessa L, but since then Cosina has made big strides, and the R2 is a solid camera in every respect. The only thing cheap about it is the price. No, it is not a Leica M, the shutter is not as buttery smooth and the viewfinder not as nice (it is, however, the nicest viewfinder I have ever seen on a non-Leica camera), but then again, it costs $400 or so. To someone like Kit's student friend on a budget it is by far the best way to get into rangefinder photography--this is a camera that Leica should have produced. A much better option than some 50-year old clunker which probably cannot easily be repaired anymore. And if, as Erwin says, the Cosina lenses outperform all but the latest Leica lenses, then I am sure they also outperform the lenses found on those old Voigtländers. Plus, Kit's friend can use Leica M lenses on the Bessa R2 when his finances allow it. As for the name: When Cosina went into this line of business they evidently decided that in order to be able to market to Leica afficionados or wannabees they needed to attach some old German name to it, so they perfectly legally bought the rights to use the name of a long-defunct German camera company from its current owners. I know that you and Marc James Small are very critical of this, but it was a legitimate marketing decision. I personally think that by now, Cosina's products stand on their own and the Voigtländer name is no longer necessary, but if it helps sales, then I am all for it. We should admire Cosina for having the guts to come out with a new rangefinder line in this day and age, and for continuing to invest in it with innovative products like the upcoming 1.2/35mm lens. Nathan Mark Rabiner wrote: > I'm very much into Voigtländer cameras. These plastic Cosinas we are > talking about are good for what they are but calling themselves > "Voigtländer Germany" is a lie folks. Does anyone know the difference > between telling a like and telling the truth? Look at my camera. Then > look at one of these Cosinas. And tell me if they have anything in > common at all beside the name at the top. Buy the way used > Voigtländers like this made in the 50's make great starter Leicas. I > hope you can get through this new thing with this kid. > > "No i don't want it cool, Leicalike, excellent and cheep used" I want > it plasticy and crappy and compleatly unLeicalike and new!" Maybe if > you phrased it not quite that way... - -- Nathan Wajsman Herrliberg (ZH), Switzerland e-mail: nathanw@bluewin.ch mobile: +41 78 732 1430 Photo-A-Week: http://www.wajsman.com/indexpaw2003.htm General photo site: http://www.wajsman.com/index.htm - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html