Even before I purchased my EP-1, I was interested in teaming it up with RF lenses, especially wide-angles. With some encouragement from a couple of people I encountered on another forum I bought a Voigtlander 15mm/4.5 LSM lens. Stopped down it is a great lens; I love it :smile: It has a vividness in its renditions that I really appreciate, especially when I get bored with the cool elegance of the Panasonic 20mm/1.7. I like the 30mm FOV too because it is narrow enough to use as a normal lens, but has a greater width that helps in certain situations.  All fine and good, but now I find myself dreaming about making full use of the 15mm FOV :tongue:. I bought the lens with the EP-1 in mind; now that I have it I would like to exercise its full width! 

At first, I was thinking of a Russian camera, the FED-2 possibly, but on further investigation I discovered the Bessa L, first manufactured by Cosina Voigtlander in 1999 and described in one review as the "ultimate minimalist box"; it was originally paired with the 15mm/4.5 lens. A used Bessa L can be had for about 130 dollars.  Not much of an outlay and it beats $999 for the Panasonic 7-14. I realize that the Bessa-L has no rangefinder or viewfinder and that that means zone focusing, though that seems easy enough given the enormous DOF on the 15mm. And of course  the two lenses I have purchased both have viewfinders (In addition to the 15, I have the Snapshot Skopar 25mm). Of course this means dipping back into film, but I was considering doing that anyway--especially after I learned that processing today goes directly from the negative to digital image.

Has anyone on this board moved from m43 to a RF-type or RF camera, either the Bessa-L or one of the other Bessa models?  Any information or perspective you have time to share would be greatly appreciated.

Best, The Traveler

Having been a long time Leica RF user, I got an E-P1 so that my M and LTM lenses do not become redundant.

The advantage of the Bessa L over a "working" Fed 2 is the built-in light meter. A Fed or Zorki is a cheap way of getting started in Leica RF photography, but the quality control during the Soviet era left a lot to be desired, thus I only recommend these "fun route" to a DIY inclined camera enthusiast or else it can be hell

Don't limit yourself to the L, there is a plethora of Bessa models to consider with various features to choose from - R with full RF coupling and frame lines for 35, 50 and 90, and M-mount models, T, R2, R3, R2A/R3A (aperture priority) and etc.

If you are comfortable with "sunny 16" (or use a handheld meter) you may also consider classic (screw mount/LTM) "Barnack" type Leicas - II, III, IIIc and IIIf and Japanese clones from the 50s -60s like Nicca, Canon and etc. With a bit of wise shopping these can be found in good working condition in the $200- $300 range.

Good luck and hope you'll also enjoy film!

I have not but it looks cool.

I have a Bessa R2A and it's a very nice camera. It's not as nice as a Leica but look at the price. The old saying about the Cosina/Voigtlander equipment is "90% of Leica quality at 10% of the price."

In the long run, having rangefinder camera will be better. With the L or T (or Zeiss Ikon SW), you will need to find matching viewfinders for each lens you purchase--that becomes expensive. Longer focal length lenses will be harder to zone focus.

. . . although I read that the T's "wide base" RF is rather good with longer lenses.

Let me ask you something, Finder

How long do you go with the E-P1? I have been lead to think that anything over a 80-100mm FOV isn't workable on the E-P1 and that RF photography is mostly about normal and wide angle FOVs (?).

I have a Bessa R2A and it's a very nice camera. It's not as nice as a Leica but look at the price. The old saying about the Cosina/Voigtlander equipment is "90% of Leica quality at 10% of the price."

Nice looking camera and quite better built than the earlier Bessas from what I've read. Is the metering located in the RF/VF or on the camera body? Thanks.

Hi je

Thanks for your post. The material on the Russian cameras is very interesting. Your guide to rebuilding a RF looks doable--well almost! This is something I'm interested in, and although I have never been a mechanically inclined person, I would love to give it a try.

Right now, however, I think I'll start with a used Voigtlander body for my 15 and 25 mm lenses and then acquire a 40 or 50mm lens and see how I do with a RF. Never used one before.

 "If you don't mind the aesthetics, the Fed 5C (w/ built-in but uncoupled selenium light meter) might be worth a gamble. It was the last model from the Ukraine factory and built well into the late 80s. They tend to be the cheapest at eBay and usually comes as a rear lens cap for the tack sharp Industar 61 L/D, 55/2.8 lens."

Well this might be a way to get a useful lens and the camera to boot! --if not too expensive. Do you recommend any other Russian cameras?

The Industar 61 can also be used on the E-P1 right? Isn't it the Jupiter 3 that everyone goes for? Is that really a better lens that the I-61?


"Sunny 16 is not a very difficult skill to acquire. An equivalent but simpler chart used to be available in film boxes during the 70s and 80s, might still be in some now. I've read that I-phone has a light meter application also, but I'm not into fancy cell phones...so for low light/indoor shots or if I just get plain lazy I use a Voigtlander VCII shoe mount meter, not cheap though...."

Hell, I still remember the the charts in the film boxes--remember some of the values too. With all the money I am spending on photography I can't afford a fancy cell phone--so that is impossible.

Thanks for your help! The traveler

Right now, however, I think I'll start with a used Voigtlander body

Wise move since you seem to want to take pictures ASAP.

Do you recommend any other Russian cameras?

The only reason I made a qualified exception for the Fed 5C is because they are still relatively new...all the other models are over 25 years old and given the quality control (or lack of) during the Soviet era, buying older models and expecting them to work out of the box is like playing Russian roulette....

That said if you are willing to gamble and can put up with separate RF/VF and bottom loading, my personal favorite is the Leica II clone - Fed 1 or Zorki 1. Very compact, just a bit larger than an E-P1 with very simple mechanism, no slow speed escapement to jam the shutter. Also the easiest to service in my experience. But again they are over 50 years old and may need new shutter curtains, not a very easy job to learn.

The Industar 61 can also be used on the E-P1 right?

Yes!

Isn't it the Jupiter 3 that everyone goes for? Is that really a better lens that the I-61?

The J-3 is a good choice for low light conditions. Although in general Russian lenses are controversial amongst some Leica purists, I personally have had no issues with any of them and for the price, they are really fine optics.

adash already addressed the technical aspects in his reply.

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for the stats, adash. I was surprised at the better resolution on the I-61. 2.8 is not a fast lens but if I am lucky enough to get a good one it looks like I might be able to shoot it wide open. Which Russian lense do you like cosinafile?

je, I had been thinking Zorki 4 but then I had a look at the FED 1. Looks great  ! It would be fun playing with one; I may have a chance to go to Russia next spring and will see if I can find a camera there. In the meantime, I just put in a bid on a Bessa-T.

Thanks, Mark

I have the Bessa R2S which used the Nikon RF lens and a Nikon S3 Millennium but to be honest the are just for the collection and except for getting 1 roll each through them I have never used them.

Yeh i know how you feel. I came very close to buying a Nikon F6 not so long ago as I also use a D300 but in the end I knew I would never use it.

Ffordes has a very nice Bessa T Edition + 50mm F3.5 in Blue right now but its a bit pricey I think too.

This thread has actually got me in the mood to give them another try. Its been about 5 years since I touched a film even though i have a lot of film camera's.

Does anyone know if there is a mount/converter for Nikon RF lens to Micro 4/3 ?

je, I had been thinking Zorki 4 but then I had a look at the FED 1. Looks great  ! It would be fun playing with one; I may have a chance to go to Russia next spring and will see if I can find a camera there. In the meantime, I just put in a bid on a Bessa-T.
Thanks, Mark

All the best, enjoy the hunt and good light!