Lomopedia: Voigtlander Bessa-T

Introduced in March 2001, the Voigtlander Bessa-T was Cosina's follow-up model after the Bessa-L. This 35 mm camera both fascinated and irked the photography world for a number of things. First, strangely, the Bessa-T had a 1.5 rangefinder built into its body, but no built-in viewfinder (you'll need interchangeable viewfinders for this snapper).

Second, it was Voigtlander's first rangefinder to sport the Leica M bayonet mount, with which it joined the so-called elite class of rangefinders (notably the Leica M models and the Konica Hexar RF, and effectively became the least expensive M mount camera ever made. Screw mount Voigtlander lenses can still be used with the Bessa-T using a standard adapter, and even supports full rangefinder coupling.

Third, the Bessa-T supports a trigger winder advance which can be attached at the bottom, which also had strap lugs that enable the camera to be hung vertically like the old Leica M5 or CL.

Photos Taken by One of Our Community Members

Technical Specifications

Type: 35 mm camera with focal plane shutter and TTL metering system
Film Format: 35 mm film, 24 × 36 mm
Lens Mount: VM Mount
Shutter: Vertically moving metal focal plane shutter B, 1 - 1/2000 sec
Self-Timer: Mechanical self-timer with 10 sec operating time
Focusing: Coincidence type rangefinder
Exposure display: Red <- mark LED = Overexposure warning; Green o mark LED = Good exposure indication; Red -> mark LED = Underexposure warning
Exposure Metering System: Center-weighted average metering by pressing the shutter release button
Exposure Coupling Range: EV 1-19 (ISO 100, f/1.4, 1 sec - f/16, 1/2000 sec)
Flash Terminal: X Synchro contact, Synchronized at 1/125 sec or lower speed
Film Advance: By single and/or multiple "inching" lever action. Double exposure lock system. Trigger winder available as optional extra.
Film Rewind: By film rewind button and film rewind crank
Frame Counter: Additive type with auto reset by opening the camera back
Film Speed Range: ISO 25 - 1600 by 1/3 steps
Power: Two 1.5V alkaline batteries (LR44) or Silver batteries (SR44)
Dimensions: 135.5 (W) × c 78.5 (H) × 33.5 (D) mm

All information for this article was sourced from Camerapedia, Camera Quest, and Camera Manuals.

written by plasticpopsicle on 2014-04-01 #gear #lomopedia #35mm #rangefinder #review #rangefinder-camera #bessa-t #lomopedia #leica-m-mount