The Voigtländer Bessa Rangefinder Cameras - Jo Geier
Since there are different models of the Voigtländer Bessa Rangefinder line, we thought we could shed some light into this and list all variations known to us.
May it will help you to choose the camera you are looking for.
The Voigtländer Bessa rangefinder camera series was made by Cosina Co. Ltd., Japan.
It was and still is the modern alternative to the Leica M series.
Since its introduction in the year 2000, the Bessa series has had a large impact to photography and especially into rangefinder photography. Unfortunately Cosina is no longer producing these remarkable cameras. Here is a short overview of the different models produced and some of their core differences.
1999 - Voigtländer Bessa L
Leica M39 screw mount body.
NO built-in viewfinder.
Intended for use with ultra-wide angle lenses with external viewfinder.
Available in black or silver chrome.
Special Editions were available in olive green or grey finish.
2000 - Voigtländer Bessa R
Leica M39 screw mount body.
Frame lines for 35mm / 50mm / 75mm / 90mm lenses.
0.7x magnification finder.
Available in black or silver chrome.
Special Editions were available in olive green or grey finish.
2001 - Voigtländer Bessa T
Leica M-Mount body.
Rangefinder window only. No built-in frame lines.
Available in black or silver chrome.
Special Editions of the 101 Years Anniversary model (Heliar 1900-2001) were available in black paint, olive green, grey and blue.
These were equipped with a collapsible chrome Heliar 3.5/50mm lens. Only 2000 sets have been produced.
2002 - Voigtländer Bessa R2
Leica M-Mount body.
Frame lines for 35mm / 50mm / 75mm / 90mm lenses.
0.7x magnification finder.
Available in black or olive green.
2003 - Voigtländer Bessa R2C
Contax Rangefinder Mount.
Frame lines for 35mm / 50mm / 85mm lenses.
0.7x magnification finder.
Available in black only.
2003 - Voigtländer Bessa R2S
Nikon Rangefinder Mount.
Frame lines for 35mm / 50mm / 85mm lenses.
0.7x magnification finder.
Available in black only.
Special Edition Set for NHS (2005, Nikon Historical Society) with S Heliar 3.5/50mm
2004 - Voigtländer Bessa R2A
Leica M-Mount body with aperture priority (like the Leica M7).
Frame lines for 35mm / 50mm / 75mm / 90mm lenses.
0.7x magnification finder.
Available in black and grey.
2004 - Voigtländer Bessa R2M
Leica M-Mount body (fully mechanical).
Frame lines for 35mm / 50mm / 75mm / 90mm lenses.
0.7x magnification finder.
Available in black paint and grey.
Special Edition (2006) - Voigtländer Bessa R2M - 250th Anniversary - 1756 - 2006
300 made in silver chrome with matching collapsible Heliar 2/50mm lens.
700 made in black paint with matching collapsible Heliar 2/50mm lens.
2004 - Voigtländer Bessa R3A
Leica M-Mount body with aperture priority (like the Leica M7).
Frame lines for 40mm / 50mm / 75mm / 90mm lenses.
1:1 life size magnification finder.
Available in black and grey.
2004 - Voigtländer Bessa R3M
Leica M-Mount body with fully mechanical shutter.
Frame lines for 40mm / 50mm / 75mm / 90mm lenses.
1:1 life size magnification finder.
Available in black paint and grey.
Special Edition (2006) - Voigtländer Bessa R3M - 250th Anniversary - 1756 - 2006
500 made in silver chrome with matching collapsible Heliar 2/50mm lens.
1000 made in black paint with matching collapsible Heliar 2/50mm lens.
2006 - Voigtländer Bessa R4A
Leica M-Mount body with aperture priority (like the Leica M7).
Frame lines for 21mm / 25mm / 28mm / 35mm / 50mm lenses.
0.5x magnification finder.
Available in black only.
2006 - Voigtländer Bessa R4M
Leica M-Mount body with fully mechanical shutter.
Frame lines for 21mm / 25mm / 28mm / 35mm / 50mm lenses.
0.5x magnification finder.
Available in black paint only.
The Bessa R4A & R4M were the only rangefinder cameras for interchangeable lenses ever made with a built-in viewfinder with 21mm and 25mm frame lines.
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