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Voigtlander Bessa R2 Leica M Mount - Discontinued 

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Cosina introduced its new Voigtlander Bessa R2  February 20, 2002.  It went on sale in Japan on April 1st 2002.   The R2 is a much improved Bessa R, with Leica M mount instead of Screw Mount, Metal exterior body, Trigger Winder capability, comfortable Ratcheted film advance, and much improved body covering and scratch-resistant splatter paint finish.  The R2 was discontinued July 2004. 

Translation for the Rangefinder impaired:  Cosina Voigtlander is taking dead aim at the introductory level M mount market, the same market which Leica has ignored for close to a half a century.   Things are getting interesting in the world of 35mm Rangefinders.

A  new compact 7 element 50/2.5 Color Skopar lens was introduced with the Bessa R2.   The 50/2.5 is available in black or silver.  A rectangular lens shade is optional.    

  

Why use a Trigger Winder?  A Trigger Winder is just another way to advance the film.  You still use the top mounted shutter release.  With practice you can shoot 3 frames per second without the battery dependency of a motordrive.  If you are left eyed, you will probably find the Trigger Winder much more convenient than hitting your forehead with the right handed lever film advance.  The Trigger Winder also provides a comfortable grip, as well as strap lugs for mounting the camera vertically rather than horizontally.   Some  photogs prefer adding  the vertical Grip B, which provides a  palm rest while using the Trigger Winder -- just like a similar grip for classic Canon rangefinder trigger wind advances.   Grip B screws into the tripod socket at the end of the winder baseplate.     Try the Trigger winder,  you might be surprised. 

Olive R2 with 50/2.5 and Square Shade

The R2 is an updated Bessa R with 

 

Voigtlander R2 mounting Leica 50/2 Summicron

To put it in perspective, the R2 is the 1st economy priced Leica M mount camera with built in rangefinder and viewfinder since the Leica CL of the 1970's.  At this point in time, the R2 seems to be a MUCH better camera than the CL.    I  would not be surprised to see the R2 become the standard entry level M camera, and a best seller at that. 

Even for Leica M6TTL and M7 owners, the little R2 makes sense as a 2nd body because the R2 has features the expensive Leicas lack:  1/2000th top speed, 1/125th flash sync, and flash capability even with dead camera batteries.

Don't forget that the R2 is a "return to basics" and a belief in KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid).   The electronic do everything autofocus SLRs are indeed wonders, but if the batteries die. they are just another expensive paperweight.  Mechanical cameras like the Voigtlander Bessas take pics without batteries.  If you take out the R2's LED meter, its basic design could have come off a 1960's camera production line.  Perhaps even more importantly, the R2 is a camera you can have fun with taking  great pics -- not a bad combination at all.

The big deal of the R2 is Leica M mount. I think the R2 will become very popular as THE 1st choice as an entry level M mount rangefinder.  Unlike the Konica RF, I have heard of no Leica M lens incompatibility problems with the Voigtlander Bessas.  Note the collar on the lens release, and the outer gray shutter which reflects light for the TTL metering cell.   This pic also shows the texture of both the body covering and the splatter black paint finish quite well.

  

Unlike ANY production Leica screw mount or M mount rangefinder, the Bessa R2 is easy to load even for first timers.   The film reminder window is a nice practical touch.

 

The R2's shutter release is smooth and comfortable, but Tom Abrahamsson's  Black or chrome MiniSoftrelease makes the shutter release even more comfortable-- just like its big brother SoftRelease improves the shutter release of the fabled Leica M6 and M7.   Do yourself a favor.  If you own any of the Cosina Voigtlander Bessas, buy the MiniSoftrelease.  

In practical terms, the R2 amounts to a MUCH upgraded Leica CL -- with an effective RF base length longer than the CL,  but not equal to a .72 magnification M6.   The R or R2 will focus accurately all current Voigtlander lenses.   However,  the R2 does not have the long rangefinder effective baselength required to consistently and reliably close focus lenses like the 50/1, 75/1.4, 135/4 at full aperture and the closest focusing distance.  Stop these same lenses down (to f/1.4 on the 50, f/2.8 on the 75, or f/8 on the 135) and the R2 will be able to give you accurate focusing through the range. In other words, the shorter rangefinder on the R or R2 will exceed its focusing accuracy close up and wide open with longer fast lenses, but it will be fine wide open at infinity or at close focus stopped down. 

Left to Right: 50/2.5 w/Square Shade, 50/3.5, 50/2.5 w/Round Shade, 50/1.5 -- all Voigtlander Leica mount lenses are screw mount for versatility, and must be used on the R2's with a bayonet adapter

 

 What Lenses DON'T fit  

  Due primarily to the possibility of hitting the Bessa R2's outer shutter, these lenses are NOT recommended:

Leica Hologon 15mm F8
Leica Super Angulon 21mm F3.4
Leica Super Angulon 21mm F4
Leica Elmarit 28mm F2.8 (first model)
Leica Dual range Summicron 50mm F2 -- won't mount properly due to internal body restrictions

Russian 20 and 35 screw mount lenses protrude too deeply into the camera

There are probably other lenses which could damage the R2's shutter, so exercise good sense and caution when mounting ANY deeply recessed lens or collapsible lens for the 1st time.

Collapsible Lenses

Inside the lens chamber  you will see round cut out ledges at the top and bottom , about 3mm in front of the shutter.  These cut outs are apparently designed to act as a "lens stop" when a collapsible lens is pushed back into the body.   Note it is just a metal shield.  Push in collapsible lenses GENTLY.  If you really slam lenses in there with some force, it's my guess you will eventually get some metal shavings stuck in your shutter. 

I'm told the 50/2 Collapsible Summicron and current version of the new version 50/2.8 Elmar can be collapsed into the R2 body without any damage to the camera or lens -- but be careful since there are lens variations.   

The original version 50/2.8 Elmar can also be collapsed, but not completely.  The telescoping barrel will make contact with a ledge inside the lens chamber, stopping the lens 3mm short of collapsing completely.  

The 50/3.5 Elmar screw mount (1954) will collapse, but stops about 1/4" out as it hits a ledge inside the lens chamber.   There are many collapsible lenses, so be careful when collapsing a lens the 1st time least you damage camera or lens !!

Personally my favorite collapsible Leica lens is the uncoated 50/2 Summar, made between 1933 to 1940.  It gives beautiful semi-soft focus effects and muted colors wide open to about f/4 -- great for landscapes or women.   Happily,  the Summar fits just fine on the R2 (with a screw mount to bayonet mount adapter), collapsing almost completely into the body. 

There are probably some collapsible or deeply recessed lenses which could damage the R2's shutter, so exercise good sense and caution when mounting ANY deeply recessed lens or collapsible lens for the 1st time.    Even the collapsible lenses listed here as being OK do have an unknown number of variations.   Remember to push in collapsible lenses GENTLY to avoid problems. 

The collapsible Voigtlander  50/2 Heliar CAN be safely collapsed into ALL Cosina Voigtlander Bessas.

 

Olive R2 mounting 50/2.5 with Round Shade, and Black R2 with 50/2.5 and Square Shade

 


The Rollei RF is a slighted modified Bessa R2, painted silver with 40 / 50/ 80mm framelines instead of the R2's 35/50/75/90 framelines, and with minor cosmetic changes including a different body covering.  Rollei marketed a screw mount (with M adapter) 40/2.8 and 80/2.8 for it, along with a silver painted Rollei trigger winder and Rollei 40mm brightline viewfinder.  A Rollei 25 lens was announced, but apparently never sold to the public.  With an initial retail price much higher than its Voigtlander brother, the Rollei RF was not that successful sales wise.  Large discounts were available once it was discontinued.  The Rollei RF is pictured here on display at Photokina 2004. The Rollei assembled 40/2.8 and 80/2.8 Zeiss optics in Cosina made lens barrels enjoy very high reputations. 

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Revised: September 10, 2017 Copyright © 2002-2013  Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved.    This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind.  Information in this document is subject to change without notice.  Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.