Voigtlander Bessa T Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Dougman
(Expert)

Review Date
January 16, 2003

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5,
2 votes

Review 1 of 5

Price Paid: $278.00 from Delta International

Summary:

This camera is idiosyncratic, in that it requires you to get a separate viewfinder, like the earliest Leicas. But if you get the RIGHT viewfinder, which, in my opinion, for most users, is the Russian Contax-Copy 5-Turret universal 28-135mm finder, it suddenly turns from an ugly duckling into a swan. I experimented with half a dozen finders before trying this Russian 5-Turret job, and I was astonished at the improvement, both in terms of ergonomics and the camera's value proposition. This 1 finder will cover most of the commonly used focal lengths, and costs around $50-60 on ebay, and it is a VERY high quality finder. Once that finder is selected, this camera suddenly becomes BY FAR the most cost effective platform for Leica M-mount lenses, and offers TTL metering as well.

Strengths:

BY FAR the least expensive camera that mounts Leica M-glass, with a nice quality TTL meter. Quiet, reasonably well built (for a $300 camera, not compared to a $2000 Leica M6). Separate range and viewfinders result in deliberate, thought-provoking technique by the user. Focuses the fastest and longest lenses VERY accurately, even moreso than Leica M series cameras, and FAR better than the CL/CLE/Bessa-R class of cameras which are not too far away in cost.

Weaknesses:

Separate Range & viewfinders take some getting used to, and if you DON'T get a good set of viewfinders, the camera's ergonomics will not be so good.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta CLE, Leica CL, Leica M-4, Voigtlander Bessa-R

Customer Service:

Never used

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Rating
Reviewed by: dolcetto
(Casual)

Review Date
September 15, 2002

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Review 2 of 5

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

Got the T and 15mm lens as a package, great for landscape. Need some time to get use of having focus on the little window and then get the frame line for the exposure. Body is rather plastic and not really up to standard of a Nikon (feel quite similar to a cheap plastic FM10), however this is the cheapest body that can bring you the Leica M mount. If I have to choose again, I will pick the R2 anytime, better viewfinder and easier focusing and have the same M mount.

Strengths:

Very light and easy to use, accept most M mount lens, no mirror vibration at all

Weaknesses:

too plastic, missing a motor drive (except the manual quick winder)

Similar Products Used:

Fuji 645

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Rating
Reviewed by: Sean OKeefe
(Intermediate)

Review Date
March 29, 2002

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
4 votes

Review 3 of 5

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

I bought the 101 Heliar version of this camera because I wanted the 50mm f3.5 collapsible Heliar lens. I have used the Bessa R as my main camera for about a year. The T is an interesting beast with the "M" mount and rangefinder only. You need a separate viewfinder for each lens and if you use LSM lenses, you need a set of screw to M adapters. The cost of the viewfinders and adapters can add up quite quickly and it makes a lot more sense for somebody intending to use Voigtlander screw mount lenses to buy a Bessa R. The viewfinder for the 75mm is $150 and LSM-M adapter is $60 at the well known BH source, and that is just for one lens. However, if you have a stash of M lenses and are looking for an inexpensive backup body for your M, with a variable viewfinder you can get a backup body quite cheaply.

Strengths:

The T is an inexpensive M mount body, perhaps its raison d''etre. The light meter is good and provides accurate metering although it does wash out easily in full sun because it is mounted on the top, rear of the camera. The flash sync at 125 is faster than the Leica Ms and top speed of 1/2000 is nice. The rangefinder is easy to see and has the tunnel look. However, I find it a lot easier to use when I have my contacts on as I am left-eyed and get my face into the camera. The body is small and seems well built, not Leica standards for sure, but it seems better made than the Bessa R for example. The mount seems strong and well made.

Weaknesses:

Rangefinder and viewfinder not easy for people who wear glasses. You need to get your eye close to the camera to see the entire 50mm frame and to focus. The adjustable diopter should have a lock so it does not move around in your bag. You need to check it before using the camera. Comparing use of the T and R, I would say that the R is much easier to use and the rangefinder in the R is clearer and easier to focus well. The rear door seems flimsy and I wonder how long it will take to develop light leaks on the window that shows the film roll information (but it is convenient to see the actual roll & doubel check speeds when you are shooting several different films at once). The film speed indicator is not locked, so it is easy to accidentally move it. The strap lugs for all of the CV Bessas are inconveniently placed on the front. They should be moved to the sides. Even with the 75mm lens attached, it tends to want to sit with the lens aiming upwards because of the lug position. This digs the viewfinder into your body. This is a camera that you should look at in person rather than buy based on reviews because of its idiosyncrasies. I like it, YMMV.

Similar Products Used:

Bessa R, Bessa L, Leica M4-P.

Customer Service:

Not needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: Ray Kleiner
(Intermediate)

Review Date
February 7, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Review 4 of 5

Price Paid: $0.00 from Classic Cameras Lond

Summary:

Nice camera to take with you on trips as it takes up no space and is easy to carry around. The lenses: 28mm, 21mm and 15mm are very good performers and excellent value for money when compared with the Leica M lenses! You can purchase all of the above for less than the price of a Leica M6TTL. Great for reportage and travel but the TTL metering is not very accurate with very wide angle lenses. The camera is a joy to use and is fairly robust in build quality. I suspect we will see more rangefinders being developed by Cosina.

Strengths:

- weight - size - cost - useability

Weaknesses:

- TTL metering

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6 TTL

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Rating
Reviewed by: Alan
(Intermediate)

Review Date
January 9, 2002

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
2.25 of 5,
4 votes

Review 5 of 5

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

In one word - idiosyncratic. A relatively cheap box on which to mount Leica M lenses (although you have to add on the cost of a viewfinder for each lens). This is a camera that takes some getting used to - but it''s fun to use.

Strengths:

Build quality better than on the Bessa-L and Bessa-R.

Weaknesses:

Build quality not up to Leica standards - but nor is the price.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6

Customer Service:

Not needed

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