I recently did a short review on the Bessa R3a. I only managed to get one roll through it, but this roll was hand held at night!
Using Ilford HP5+ 400 ISO, I rated it at 800 ISO and went shooting.
I used both my lenses from my M8 this night, the Carl Zeiss 35mm f2 and the Leitz Elmarit 28mm f2.8. I think they did pretty well.
I did look for areas where there was “some” light, exposures were as low as 1/5th of a second, which really makes you hold your breathe in the somewhat mid 30 degree temperatures.
I tend to go toward subjects that have no people in them in Cleveland, it’s a direct contrast to when i’m in a busier city. I sometimes almost feel people don’t know how to react here when confronted by a street photography. This may have to be something I explore in the future.
Stats:
Voigtlander Bessa R3a
Carl Zeiss 35mm f2 ZM
Leitz Elmarit 28mm f2.8
Film+Develop:
Ilford HP5+ 400 ISO @ 800 ISO
14 minutes Rodinal 1+50
2 Comments
Oh that is a nice set up, borrowed it from someone I’m assuming ? I really like the photo with the track in it
Thanks! I actually had worked a deal to get the Bessa and a Nokton 40mm f1.4, I then sold the Bessa to recoup most of the money from the deal/package.. The Nokton 40mm resides on the fiancee’s Leica CL right now.
You can get a Bessa R for $250~ and a nice screw mount lens for about $300-400 and have a very capable rangefinder setup. Or even a CL for about $200-300 and that same lens.. Sharp and small!