simplicity
low weight
fine handling
good picture taking qualities

the use of cheaper materials

ehh ... its not (repeat not) a Leica.

But if there were no Leica's on earth, having a Bessa R you won't miss them. Its a perfect simple camera. Everything is on the right place. Beautiful finder, a pretty good lightmeter.

Even the use of plastic on the camera can be considdered as very cleaver. After a fall, the replacement of parts will be cheap.

Customer Service

not needed yet

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the big ... example

None

None

I've just bougth a black Bessa-R; the body is in plastic material! There is not a "green" (as is written in italian instructions) diode in the meter, but it are all red coloured. I have appreciated the low noise level of the shutter and the brightness of finder, better then Leica CL I normally use.

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Leica CL

Overall, a well made camera. Reminds me of the Nikon FM2. Great optics, fairly quiet shutter, very reasonable priced.

Screw mounts are not as quick to switch as bayonet mounts.

If you are looking for a Leica, this is not one. But for the price of a new Leica M6 you can outfit yourself with a Bessa R, several lenses and film. The optics are on par with many of the Leica lenses.
If you are looking for your first rangefinder camera or if you worry about damaging the value of your Leica equipment, this is just the ticket. No frills, just a nicely built camera, that lets the photographer take the picture (not a microchip).

Customer Service

Haven't needed to use.

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I've owned Leicas, Contax G's, Nikons, and Pentax.

Lightweight, compact, sturdy, bright viewfinder & rangefinder patch, makes beautiful images.

Odd quirks. 1) With the 35mm Color Skopar compact lens, the lens itself focuses closer than the rangefinder can move. Thus, you can't use the rangefinder to precisely focus at the lens' closest focusing distance.
2) The LED exposure indicator tends to change readings just as you're pressing the shutter. It's something that, as you take the picture, makes you wonder whether you still have the proper exposure settings.

An avid travel photographer, I bought this camera as a replacement for my beloved Fuji 645S medium format rangefinder camera, which I dropped while on vacation, and for which Fuji no longer supplies spare parts. (Those scurvy knaves!) At first I was skeptical whether I'd be satisfied with a step down from medium format to 35mm, especially as pictures taken with my Nikon FE just couldn't quite compare with the Fuji's. However, the Voigtlander surprised me with its rich, smooth, flattering yet extremely sharp images. True, the camera doesn't have the overall resolving power of the Fuji, or for that matter the Contax G2, which was the Voigt's major competitor to replace the Fuji. But the images are so beautiful, I don't really care.

The camera handles easily. And it's no trouble mounting or removing the lenses. All you have to do is wear the camera around your neck, and use your belly to brace the camera as you screw the lenses on and off. By the way, I own both the 35mm compact lens and the 75mm Color Heliar.

As for the reason I chose the Voigt over the Contax, I just decided I like manual cameras more than automatic ones. They never fail to snap when you press the shutter. There's no lag time. There's no annoying shifting and whirring. As for rangefinder vs. SLR, I like the smallness of a rangefinder, and I like the ability to be able to see what's outside the frame. I find that the quality of my pictures is generally significantly higher with a rangefinder. Yes, it bugs me that I can't take extreme close-ups and such, but that's okay. My wife carries a Nikon F3.

In any case, I'm extremely happy with my purchase. It's not a camera for the casual photographer, and a true pro would probably prefer a Leica or a Mamiya 7, but for an amateur enthusiast who wants a good image for a decent price, it's quite a nice piece of hardware.

Customer Service

None needed. The rangefinder has never slipped out of vertical alignment, either. (I hope I'm not jinxing myself with this statement.)

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Contax G2

Wonderfully bright viewfinder. I'll have to check on the RF alignment. Also, the camera uses a metal lens mount and not plastic.

Overall, the body feels very sturdy, despite its use of plastic materials. The camera in operation also sounds very solid.

I have the pancake 35mm, which seems to be a very sharp lens.

Next, I want to buy the 50, the 75 and maybe the 15.

I don't care for that bump on the camera back. And the shutter speed/ISO dial, which I think it too heavily sprung, seems lifted right from an SLR. I feel some extra thought could have gone into this part of the design.

The rewind crank is a bit difficult to grasp. I hardly ever get it on the first try.

If I were to do it over, I would have bought the Classic 35mm lens, because the focusing ring on the pancake is too slim for my fingers.

The one other thing is the location of the neck strap lugs. The camera also wants to tilt forward with the lens facing up. But these are pretty minor complaints -- ergonomic and not quality issues.

I really like this camera, despite a couple of small quibbles. I owned an inexpensive Konica RF many years ago (I don't know what happened to it), as well as traditional SLRs. The one thing that I like about the rangefinder is that the image is very bright and always present.

I find that I "see" a picture better with a rangefinder camera. I don't know what it is, but the rangefinder view lends itself to better photography.

I really would like to buy a Leica, but I don't have the luxury of a rich uncle or unlimited cash.

I like how the camera feels in my hands. It only took a couple of moments to familiarize myself with its controls.

Photography shouldn't be complex. I think that we get lost in the gee-whiz features and forget about the important thing: the image.

Customer Service

none needed so far

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Also own:
Several Nikons, a Rollei 35S (all-time favorite), Rolleiflex, a Lomo, a Rollei P&S and others.

* No-nonsense controls.
* Lightweight and unobtrusive.
* Accurate metering.
* Superb lens quality.
* Good prime lens choice.

* Rangefinder alignment issues.
* Flimsy film rewind mechanism.
* Rangefinders are no use for macro photography, so it's not a true all-rounder.
* Looks similar to a Leica so will forever be compared to one(!).

I wanted a no nonsense camera and I chose the Voigtlander for several reasons; value for money, portability, full manual operation, lens performance, creative control and unobtrusive looks. The camera has been used worldwide for the past six months or so and has been subjected to fluctuations in temperature/humidity and fairly hefty knocks, yet the picture quality is never less than perfect (unless it's my mistake!!). Even with a cheap flashgun and the focus set to "infinity", it performed as a snapshot camera in restaurants, etc, when passed to someone else to take a picture. Also, the spot metering system has performed well in many different circumstances. If you are a photographic purist or want to get away from the gadgetry that comes with modern SLRs, this camera is definitely for you. However, make sure you check for RF alignment at the time of purchase. It's not a Leica, but it doesn't cost Leica money, so you shouldn't consider the two as direct competition.

Customer Service

The RF was out of alignment upon receipt (mail order prevented physical check prior to purchase). Customer Service replaced body with a new one within five days. No RF problems since (despite being dropped).

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* Nikon F50.

Superb viewfinder, even though brightlines are manually adjusted. Focussing bright and clear. Lenses kick, the 15mm is awesome, for the $$ it is incredible.

Not made of metal, body seems light. Placement of strap lugs poor.

Really nice camera and lenses, a cheaper alternative to Leica.

Customer Service

Not needed, RF was perfect out of box.

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Leica M4-P, various '70s RFs.

Good value for you money. Bright and clear viewfinder.

Feels cheap. Meter failure in low light.

Ok here it is. As a back up for your Leica it's great. As a begginers camera for you it's great as well. But it feels like a $100 camera ready to fall appart. Jams from time to time. Film loading is kind of hard. But for the money it's a great piece.

Customer Service

No expirience. But I asked a question once thru their web site and it took the 5 days to answer.

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I own Leica M6 so this is just a back up body.

Classic looking camera.Very bright finder. Makes one feel he/she is in total control of a camera. No computer chips in the body (except the TTL system - but one is not obligated to put the batteries in). Lighter construction is actually better for the photog. RF does better than SLR in composing a picture. Lense is well made in both optics and craftsmanship. I love that little thumb notch on the batch for gripping the camera. Cheap. Great value.

Strap lugs can be improved. Shutter dial slippery with one finger operation. It should come with a classic brown leather camera case just like old times.

What more can be said. If you haven't tried a well made modern RF camera this is your invitation. I'll buy it again. Well, maybe I'll do a little savings and go for the M6 TTL.

Customer Service

Has not tried the service yet. Hope I'll never have to.

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M2, Hexar (Not the RF), Rollei 35,

Aluminium body is sturdy and light. All controls operate positively and efficiently. Just looks darn classy, too.

Strap lug placement! Meter seems to flake out approaching EV1 (this could be subjective).

I've owned it since it was released, as well as the brother Bessa-L. I would like the meter diodes to be doubled in the finder and on top like the L, but we can't get it all. Camera is fantastic for street photography and it doesn't scream "Steal me!" like a Contax G2 or a Leica -- especially if you put one of those Russian Industar lenses on it... For the $$$ this is simply a great camera.

Customer Service

Hope to never find out.

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Own Alpa 10D, Olympus OM-4t, Bessa-L, 'Blad 500C/M.