Review 2 of 14
Price Paid:
$75.00
from cameraquest.com Summary: The Bessa L has been discontinued as of May 2003. Retailers are discounting the cameras to move them out.
Stephen Gandy at Cameraquest.com offers a one year warranty on the camera along with an excellent price, so for $75, it is hard to go wrong.
I find the camera to be light yet sturdy (unlike other reviewers). It is very easy to hold it in one hand to take pics and the fact that the meter is easily seen on the top of the camera encourages this. That makes it the perfect shoot from the hip camera when paired with a wide angle Voigtlander lens like the 25mm f4 Skopar, or most other Leica thread mount lenses. Be aware that some of the Russian thread mounts may not work with this camera, because of the long back lens element they have.
With the 25mm Skopar mounted you have a lens that has immense depth of field at f8 and smaller apertures, and the lens give your photos the Leica look at a fraction of the cost of the real thing.
This is then the shoot from the hip set up that was made in heaven--move over Lomo LC-A :), plus you have the capability of changing lens to meet changing needs. Strengths: -Metering is right on.
-Camera was intially made for wide angle lenses that Cosina Voigtlander produces and all of the lenses are sold with finders. The finders work well, but with the wide angle, you really don't NEED to use the finders if you don't want to.
-You can use this camera with most leica thread mount lenses. If you get the Russian Universal Turret Finder or something similar, you are set for about any focal length--if you don't mind zone focusing. Weaknesses: --This is not a macro tool, as you are zone focusing.
--Ditto for portrait work in low light with a longer focal length.
--The camera seems to have a backlash when rewinding. As hard as I try, I can't seem to just wind the film up easily, as I always get a backlash when I get close to the end of the film and have to start again, by taking up the slack. Similar Products Used: I've used lots of fixed lens rangefinders and a Fed 5c. Now if you want to experience cheap (as other reviewers have complained about the Bessa L), try the Fed 5. Customer Service: Stephen Gandy at Cameraquest.com is extremely responsive about any problems or questions about the camera.
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