Voigtländer Bessa R2

offspring · 21st April 2004

Hi

I like the discreetness of a RF and I cannot afford nor want to buy a Leica M camera. Main usage for B+W steet photo

I am intending to get the Voigtländer Bessa R2 and I would like to ask the following:
1) How much is the Bessa R2
2) I am intending to get the Super Wide Heliar Aspherical 15mm f4.5 and the Aspherical 35mm f:1,7 - any ideas are these good and how much
3) Where to buy in Spore?

Thanks

sfhuang · 21st April 2004

Originally Posted by offspring

Hi

I like the discreetness of a RF and I cannot afford nor want to buy a Leica M camera. Main usage for B+W steet photographer

I am intending to get the Voigtländer Bessa R2 and I would like to ask the following:
1) How much is the Bessa R2
2) I am intending to get the Super Wide Heliar Aspherical 15mm f4.5 and the Aspherical 35mm f:1,7 - any ideas are these good and how much
3) Where to buy in Spore?

Thanks

You can consider getting the kit from cameraquest.com. It's fairly expensive first-hand if you were to buy in Singapore. But if your choice is still to buy locally, you can get it from Anthony's Collection (2nd Fl, Peninsula).

pipefish · 21st April 2004

If you are intending to use VL lenses only (and not M mount lenses), then the Bessa R is the more economical choice, and you can prolly get a 2nd hand one from TCW.

The R2 supports M mount lenses, and would be quite good value, but is quite ex in Singapore (around a 1k, the last I remember). Bear in mind that a Konica Hexar RF with 50/2 is going for $1500 (John 3:16), and used Leicas start from $1300 depending on condition.

Originally Posted by offspring

Hi

I like the discreetness of a RF and I cannot afford nor want to buy a Leica M camera. Main usage for B+W steet photo

I am intending to get the Voigtländer Bessa R2 and I would like to ask the following:
1) How much is the Bessa R2
2) I am intending to get the Super Wide Heliar Aspherical 15mm f4.5 and the Aspherical 35mm f:1,7 - any ideas are these good and how much
3) Where to buy in Spore?

Thanks

offspring · 21st April 2004

thanks guys - will do a bit more research.

Do the RF pple meet up? Would like to learn...

nightbreed · 21st April 2004

You can try The Camera Workshop. I don't think they have the R, but may have the R2. I asked them about the price of the R about 3 weeks back and they said they would have to order it in.

Cameraquest.com is selling the R2 for USD469, plus USD20 for shipping. At USD1 = SGD1.7, this means you will spend something like SGD831.30. You may probably get one of these lenses to start off:

(I'm assuming you don't print money)

1. 28/3.5 = USD289 = SGD491.30

2. 35/2.5 = USD229 = SGD389.30

3. 50/2.5 = USD289 = SGD491.30

4. 75/2.5 = USD299 = SGD508.50

5. 90/3.5 = USD319 = SGD542.30

6. 21/4 = USD335 = SGD569.50

7. 25/4 = USD259 = SGD440.30

A combination of body plus one lens will cost you USD20 to ship.
A combination of body plus two lenses will cost you USD30 to ship.

If you get the R2 with a lens, you will probably spend between SGD1300 to SGD1500, plus shipping.

Alternatively, if you want to save some cash, you might want to opt for a R plus a 35/2.5 which is going for USD425 (SGD722.50, half the price of a R2 plus lens) as a kit. Plus USD20 for shipping. You can pay via PayPal.

I managed to get my R and a 28/3.5 from Anthony's. It had some problem with the RF alignment but I had the camera replaced with another.

Hope this is useful to you.

sfhuang · 21st April 2004

I sold my Bessa R to TCW just about a month ago. I think it's still there - you may want to check with them.

kingpin · 21st April 2004

Originally Posted by offspring

Hi
I am intending to get the Voigtländer Bessa R2 and I would like to ask the following:
1) How much is the Bessa R2
2) I am intending to get the Super Wide Heliar Aspherical 15mm f4.5 and the Aspherical 35mm f:1,7 - any ideas are these good and how much
3) Where to buy in Spore?

Thanks

Suggest u try Fotografix located at Lucky Chinatown. Can get their tel from phone directory. He sells Bessa stuff and he has the Heliar 15mm and other Voigt lenses. Bargain with him. U will find him cheaper than Anthony's at Peninsula.
Chat with him. He knows quite a bit.

glchua · 22nd April 2004

Some say that the 35/1.7 is as good as the Leica pre-ASPH 35/2 summicron. Anyway, for handheld street photography, I don't think you can see a difference, unless you are talking about bokeh.

There is a 35/1.7 on sale at Clubsnap:

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=71386

Just be aware that the Bessa R2's shutter is not exactly quiet, sounds like a Nikon FM2 without the mirror slap the last time I tried.

Maybe also can consider a Leica M3 which is going for around $1200? Or even an M6 classic going less than $2k.

Patryk · 18th June 2004

Quote:

I sold my Bessa R to TCW just about a month ago. I think it's still there - you may want to check with them.

I think i've seen it and tried it out...hehe...not bad...dunno whether to go for that or the contax G2...

szekiat · 18th June 2004

there should still be a 15mm at TCW for sale. Saw it the other day.

OT:
Pipefish, pls help me get the Hexar from John at 1500. I'll pay u $100 commision. He's offering me 2.6k. That bugger.....

StreetShooter · 18th June 2004

If you want discreet and completely silent, get a Canon G3 or G5.

Bright f2.0 lens, great image quality, can set the shutter sound volume or leave it completely silent, even has a flip out LCD for those important low angle compositions.

Only thing is you can't load it with 1600 film.

pipefish · 18th June 2004

That's funny. I was quoted $1500 by the old guy. Anyway, I have been monitoring Hexar RFs on ebay for some time now. Going rate for pretty mint examples is around S$1.1-1.2.

Originally Posted by szekiat

there should still be a 15mm at TCW for sale. Saw it the other day.

OT:
Pipefish, pls help me get the Hexar from John at 1500. I'll pay u $100 commision. He's offering me 2.6k. That bugger.....

szekiat · 18th June 2004

i guess someone was out to con me. Ah well, might get one if i have the money. Then again, i don't really need one. Whatever.Ignore me.

21st April 2004	#1
offspring Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,470	Voigtländer Bessa R2 Hi I like the discreetness of a RF and I cannot afford nor want to buy a Leica M camera. Main usage for B+W steet photo I am intending to get the Voigtländer Bessa R2 and I would like to ask the following: 1) How much is the Bessa R2 2) I am intending to get the Super Wide Heliar Aspherical 15mm f4.5 and the Aspherical 35mm f:1,7 - any ideas are these good and how much 3) Where to buy in Spore? Thanks __________________ blog flickr Last edited by offspring; 21st April 2004 at 05:27 PM.

21st April 2004	#4
offspring Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,470	thanks guys - will do a bit more research. Do the RF pple meet up? Would like to learn... __________________ blog flickr

21st April 2004	#5
nightbreed Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 100	You can try The Camera Workshop. I don't think they have the R, but may have the R2. I asked them about the price of the R about 3 weeks back and they said they would have to order it in. Cameraquest.com is selling the R2 for USD469, plus USD20 for shipping. At USD1 = SGD1.7, this means you will spend something like SGD831.30. You may probably get one of these lenses to start off: (I'm assuming you don't print money) 1. 28/3.5 = USD289 = SGD491.30 2. 35/2.5 = USD229 = SGD389.30 3. 50/2.5 = USD289 = SGD491.30 4. 75/2.5 = USD299 = SGD508.50 5. 90/3.5 = USD319 = SGD542.30 6. 21/4 = USD335 = SGD569.50 7. 25/4 = USD259 = SGD440.30 A combination of body plus one lens will cost you USD20 to ship. A combination of body plus two lenses will cost you USD30 to ship. If you get the R2 with a lens, you will probably spend between SGD1300 to SGD1500, plus shipping. Alternatively, if you want to save some cash, you might want to opt for a R plus a 35/2.5 which is going for USD425 (SGD722.50, half the price of a R2 plus lens) as a kit. Plus USD20 for shipping. You can pay via PayPal. I managed to get my R and a 28/3.5 from Anthony's. It had some problem with the RF alignment but I had the camera replaced with another. Hope this is useful to you.

21st April 2004	#6
sfhuang Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 972	I sold my Bessa R to TCW just about a month ago. I think it's still there - you may want to check with them.

22nd April 2004	#8
glchua Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 528	Some say that the 35/1.7 is as good as the Leica pre-ASPH 35/2 summicron. Anyway, for handheld street photography, I don't think you can see a difference, unless you are talking about bokeh. There is a 35/1.7 on sale at Clubsnap: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=71386 Just be aware that the Bessa R2's shutter is not exactly quiet, sounds like a Nikon FM2 without the mirror slap the last time I tried. Maybe also can consider a Leica M3 which is going for around $1200? Or even an M6 classic going less than $2k.

18th June 2004	#10
szekiat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 2,378	there should still be a 15mm at TCW for sale. Saw it the other day. OT: Pipefish, pls help me get the Hexar from John at 1500. I'll pay u $100 commision. He's offering me 2.6k. That bugger.....

18th June 2004	#11
StreetShooter Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Katong Posts: 4,702	If you want discreet and completely silent, get a Canon G3 or G5. Bright f2.0 lens, great image quality, can set the shutter sound volume or leave it completely silent, even has a flip out LCD for those important low angle compositions. Only thing is you can't load it with 1600 film.