🟡 Contax RF Mount Lenses on a Bessa! | Voigtlander Bessa R2C Review + Bessa R2, R2M, R2A, R2S

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

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[@crinosil]

Picked up a Bessa R2 with the green body in near mint condition.... sold a Leica M6 ttl for $3500 ... picked the R2 as a replacement for $1200 and put the rest into a lens for my new GFX100S. The long winded point is I don’t miss the Leica...really love the R2.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Wow some big numbers there! Great move selling M6, as you say they both do the same job. If I had only the M6 I’d sell it and buy a M3, iii cameras and Bessa T + maybe R too I think. ha. Each have their place

[@Seapatico]

Just picked up a Bessa R2c with the Voigtlander 50mm 3.5 for $600 through Flints auction house. So thanks for the recommendations on this camera, and on Flints!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Congrats! Great price. I still have mine. Nice camera for sure and the Flints guys are great.

[@sushi_donut]

As some who owns an old stuck shutter Contax rf with the 5cm 1.5 sonnar, this is a godsend. I didn't know there were other bodies that had a working mount for this lens. Thank you, Matt, for all that you do!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! I’m happy you found the video (Kiev’s are the other option. See that video)

[@tomredd9025]

Thanks for clearing up a lot of confusion. Very much enjoyed the video - Good job. I have always been interested in the Bessa R2C since I have a small collection of Zeiss Contax rangefinders with a Kiev or two thrown in. I also own a Nikon S2. I really love the Contax design and the optics, especially the ease of use. The focus wheel, film advance, shutter speed and shutter tripping button are literally all on top of each other. The chrome on the very last Contax color dial version is absolutely incredible. The best I have seen on any camera. It is a true work of art. Surprisingly, the selenium meters on all of my Contax IIIa are spot on in spite of the fact the cameras are 65 years old. This is true even on my treasured original Contax III from 1936, which is 85 years old. Yes, Zeiss sure knew how to make cameras. I now want to add to the confusion. You can actually use SOME Nikon rangefinder lenses on a Zeiss Contax. Nikon did indeed market lenses with Contax compatible lens mounts. I have a Nikon 135mm lens that has a "C" (in quotation marks) on the bottom of the lens barrel. These are made for Contax rangefinders and are great lenses. But don't use these Nikon lenses on a Nikon rangerfinder because they won't focus correctly. If that isn't confusing enough, there is a big red C on the front bezel of the Nikon lenses. This means they are coated not that they are for Contaxes. Let me end by another somewhat less confusing accessary. I have a Kilfitt reflex box and a Kilfitt 300 mm lens for my Contax cameras. Nice set up. Because the lens is focused using the reflex viewer, both the Contaxes and the Nikon S2 focus perfectly. I am assuming that the infinity distance for both the Contaxes and the Nikon S2 are same since the lens mount must be set on infinity to mount the reflex box. Hopefully, I have not been totally obscure! BTW the top speed for Contaxes are 1/1250 second not 1/500. Thanks again.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Tom! Very interesting about the Nikon glass for Contax thanks. I’ve never seen it read that. I just saw your S2 comment and the 300mm nice! You will like a video out soon too from what you say (the. 1 after the next)(recorded ready!) Yes and with planning that video I reminded myself a lot / learnt and saw 1/1250. I’m not sure where I saw 1/500 on my camera but thanks for the correction. Next video out today but it’s a bit different and a one off.

[@invisibility1987]

R2s user here ,i chose the R2s because S mount lenses are a bit better and there are more choices .Love the 35/1.8 and 50/1.4 Olympic ,they alone make the S system shine! The contax system were seriously out dated in the post war era,releasing only the 21mm biogon . anyway ,seriously recommend using the nikon DK-21M magnifying eyepiece with the bessa R2s/c,it makes focusing so much easier

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes great point re the S, thanks! Nice lenses too :) Yes I use that magnifier too, thanks!

[@erichung9043]

Cool! I got this one at a good price. Its much cheaper than the R2M since almost nobody shoots with Contax lenses. But not too many people know you can use Nikon or Voigtlander SC wide angle lenses made for the Nikon rangefinder. So hopefully my R2C would go up in price after your video. 😃

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi Eric, ha thanks. Most people complain if my video makes the prices go up so it's nice to have you wishing the prices go up haha :) Agreed most people want M mount!

[@ulfjonsson2122]

As always a great start of the weekend. Got to get a new Contax / Kiev camera. / Ulf

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Ulf! Don’t buy yet. More videos to come! ;)

[@coltonmundt4042]

Cool! These cameras have always been interesting to me!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Colton!

[@LucyS565]

Very informative video, thanks Matt! I love the comparisons and learning the differences of each Bessa.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Lucy!

[@PulpFreePress]

Great overview!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks!

[@imcg110]

Excellent video!! I have an old Contax RF and a Kiev and loved the handling, but more so the Contax glass. The Zeiss Opton 50/1.5 is excellent. I got a Bessa R2C a couple of years back and how have that glass with a Leica style shooting experience and an extra stop or two of shutter speed to open that Sonnar up. The newer wider Voigtlander lenses are excellent too. Just a lovely camera.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thank you Iain! Ah you might like my next video then ;) Is the Opton 50/1.5 better than the classic Sonnar? I love my Opton Biogon!

[@philipadam7870]

Great video, thank you! Former Leica M6 user / now Bessa R2 a - The difference in weight between the two is noticeable and the reason I made the switch.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hey Philip thanks! Yes for sure a nice weight saving. Some of the other Bessa are even lighter! L, R and T but if you use M glass only the T will be useful, but no VF so pros and cons and all that :) I did a video of all Bessa models if you're ever tempted to get another! :)

[@philipadam7870]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thank you for that additional information. Really appreciate your straight forward, considered approach, excellent!!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@philipadam7870 thanks Philip 🙏🏻

[@raygeary1698]

Wow so many variations 😂 thx just buying a bessa r3a

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ha thanks, yes 12! Congrats, nice camera!

[@Nigel-nar53]

Nice one Mat. I didn't know the s & c versions existed. Very interesting video thank you. 👍

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! No problem, I wish I knew about them sooner too. :)

[@BPantherPink]

Yesss... I like the two 2020 lenses...they are the best though with slight pincushion distortion !! 😝

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks!

[@JHurrenPhotography]

Wow, I'll be taking notes. Really great information in this video. Entertaining too

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks you James! Yes sorry this one was a little detailed!

[@JHurrenPhotography]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom no it's fantastic. Really, I can see you have a solid grasp of all the options. You've really demystified these cameras which are such useful tools for Leica shooters.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@JHurrenPhotography thank you James! I guess as a Leica shooter I come at it from that angle :)

[@Nearest_Neighbor]

The Leica R and the Leica R2. 🤭 Things happens. 🤷 Great video as usual! Looking forward to get a new rangefinder with changeable lenses besides my fixed lens Yashica GSN and Olympus XA. Both are really great.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Andre! I still need to try a Leica R one day! :)

[@philmtx3fr]

Hi Matt I don t know if your video generates a sudden envy for this camera but the prices are now very high… I regret not to have bought it earlier it would have been a good investment :) but know it s to late so may different Contax and Jupiter lenses will remain alone in their box :((

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I think all Bessa prices are up with Leicas. I’ve not checked but I expect everything to keep going up

[@tinpl8r]

Another nice job Mat, ive really enjoyed my Voigtlander L,R and R2a. How about a review of the Topcor S 50mm f2 ltm...

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks! The Topcor will come, I need models!

[@612morrison]

Another great video/ camera history lessons and love the classic portraits but seriously how many cameras and lenses do you actually own. Ps on a slightly different train of thought, the battery cap came today for my FG and I can confirm it fully works, the light meter is more or less on par with my F100 with the same lens and around 1/3 of a stop difference compared to my D850 with modern glass. So not to bad for a fixer upper of a 40 year old camera that cost £35 and 15 of that was the battery cap 😒.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great news on your bargain camera, good stuff! Cameras.. hmm I have a few but I did collect them pretty intensely for 10 yrs or so (I buy cameras and nothing else, no house, no tv, dont smoke, dont drink, dont heat where i live haha)

[@GeorgeStar]

Prices are now in the Leica M range.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

They were around £1k 6 months ago

[@pietjekarbonkel2710]

The Voigtlander RC2 is a very nice wide angle camera but the very short rangefinder base is not that good for the famous 1:1.5 50 mm 1:2 85 mm and 135 mm Sonnar . I use the 85 mm and 135 mm a lot for closeups and landscape on my Kiev . The 9 cm base rangefinder is very accurate so that eye sharp portraits can be made at 1 meter . With a wide angle lens the 9 cm rangefinder base is a bit slow with its overkill of accurate focusing ....

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Peter! Ah yes I wish I had mentioned this aspect actually, yes that's why I've used it more for wides, as I can see better to focus (and greater DOF of course). It is as if you know what a future video will be but I need to do more example shots first. I love my Kiev! :)

[@jeromearnould9940]

Top video very interresting on the Bessa...

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Jerome! :)

[@alzathoth]

i still can't beleive that these VERY old cameras cost twice as much as my 20+ year old film nikons... :O

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

These are modern film cameras remember, under 20 years this one

[@AMarsh-hg9wr]

Hi Matt, wanted to get a Leica, but very pricey at the moment. So would you highly recommend the R2c since there are variations of lenses.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi yes Leica prices have gone a bit crazy. Bessa are cheaper and offer a lightmeter vs older Leica. These Bessa are great as can use different lenses. I still have this but have been using mostly Leica R this year.

[@boakium3089]

Can you make a video that points out the differences between the R2 and the R2M. They seem to me to be exactly the same camera if you exclude the rewind lever, a slight difference with the viewfinder and the fact that the R2M is 50% more expensive (for reasons that escapes me).

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I will do a "Mega Bessa" vid at some point with all models in and try to cover it then, The M is newer so has any improvements included

[@vangstr]

By the first 2 minutes I was soo confused. R wuh????

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes sorry this was very detailed. I’ll do a simplified overview of Bessa in a later video.

[@Atlasleopard]

hello, Thank you so much for sharing your passion :) 506s you said that we could use wide Nikon S and Contax/kiev lenses with any of amedeo adapter (Nikon S to M or Contax to M) are you sur of that ?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

On mirrorless you can use any 50mm internal mount lenses on an internal adapter for example. You can’t use external mount on internal and vise versa. If want to use rangefinder focusing you need Nikon for Nikon etc.

[@ozbaz99]

Do the frame lines move when you focus closer to correct for parallax? On My r2c the frame lines don’t move. I select the correct frame lines and this works well

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes they should move as it is parallax corrected.

[@AlloyDiesel]

I just bought an r3m on eBay. Seller hasn't uploaded any shipping info yet and it's been 4 days. Driving me batty.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Ah very nice! I wish I’d got the M not the A but I didn’t really know what I was going back then. The R3A was the camera that made me move to Leica digital. Sorry to here after the shipper. Hopefully you’ll get a nice surprise on your doorstep shortly!

[@AlloyDiesel]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom just heard from the shipper and they assured me it would be shipped today, so, fingers crossed. This is what happens when you get a great deal from a non-professional seller. Buying from Japan, you pay more, but at least the shipping is very fast. Just wish VM (or anybody) would manufacture a new film rangefinder that's not 5k. Or maybe... I should just wish I had 5k to spend on a new Leica MP. Really excited about the 1:1 viewfinder on the R3 though. I think that may be just thing I need.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@AlloyDiesel great to hear. Yes I asked my Voigtlander contact about making more film bodies but they said no.

[@powderedtoastman3093]

Where can these be serviced if you have issues

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Anyone that does Leica / old cameras I think.

[@LukeShootsFilm]

what flash units work with voigtlander bessa is it Leica ones

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hey Luke, on Leica cameras I use Nikon mount flash (say Godox units in Nikon fit) and they work on my Bessa cameras too. Leica units should also work.

[@LukeShootsFilm]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom many thanks

[@deformator2]

Hi mate! How do you scan your BW negatives?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi Epson v800. I keep promising i'll do a vid but need to get out of lockdown first and start shooting again!

[@AMarsh-hg9wr]

Is 1,500 a reasonable price in the US?

[@AMarsh-hg9wr]

Also what lens would you recommend to start out with on R2C?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

That sounds about right, they go for £1100-1200 in UK. Lenses are cheap as the mount is less popular. See my Kiev video before you buy, same mount but much cheaper or setup a call via MrLeica.com/zoom and I’ll try to save you some cash

[@AMarsh-hg9wr]

Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F/1.5 VM Aspherical Lens For Leica M mount, would this fit Bessa R2C?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@AMarsh-hg9wr hello no. Get a standard Bessa not this specific C one. Most later Bessa are M mount. See my all 12 Bessa video. If can’t find sign up to MrLeica.com and you get a free search tool.

[@stevebarnett5048]

I bet you could do an 'outtake' video of that stream, it was a mind twister for the brain never mind a tongue twister. But you are killing me, I sold some very nice Contax lenses a few years ago and wish I'd know about the Voigtlander body then. The reason I sold them was strange, my Contax II body smelled funny, the chrome gave off a smell that staid on my hands. Now there is an idea for you, odd smelling cameras, lol !

[@pietjekarbonkel2710]

I think you smell the brass , brass does not smell very well . A Kiev has better chrome than a Contax ....

[@stevebarnett5048]

peter. h. a. salden there was no brass showing through, and in my day to day job I work with brass and it doesn't have a stinky smell. I think it was the plating.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Steve and sorry about breaking the news on the Contax mount Bessa! I don't think any of my cameras smell but I dont really sniff them either! :)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@pietjekarbonkel2710 Good tip Peter thanks

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@stevebarnett5048 ah thanks Steve.. i've had a few almost sticky back Nikons but thanks all ..and thats sticky not stinky :)