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Classic Black Paint Mechanical

Voigtlander R2M / R3M Leica M Rangefinder 

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Sadly all Voigtlander film cameras are discontinued and increasingly hard to find. 

Voigtlander Black paint R3M or R2M 250th Anniversary Sets with 50/2 Heliar

The Voigtlander 250th Anniversary Set production was very limited.  Only 300 silver paint R2M, 700 black paint R2M,  500 silver paint R3M and 1000 black paint R3M.  These are rare cameras and lenses.   Standard production black paint R2M / R3M are in current production WITHOUT the Anniversary engravings.  

 classic black paint Voigtlander Bessa R2M body

mechanical shutter, .7x viewfinder, 35/50/75/90 framelines, match LED TTL metering

 classic black paint Voigtlander Bessa R3M body

mechanical shutter, life size 1.0x viewfinder, 40/50/75/90 framelines, match LED TTL Metering

Originally introduced in the 250th Voigtlander Anniversary sets, the beautiful classic black paint R2M and R3M bodies were continued as standard production bodies in the Cosina Voigtlander lineup! The R2M / R3Ms are the cameras Leica should have made 20 years ago as a high quality mechanical reasonably priced 1st cameras into the Leica M System!   Today the Voigtlander R2M, R3M, R4M and Leica MP are the ONLY classic mechanical Leica M mount rangefinders in production! 

 classic black paint Voigtlander Bessa R3M body

Voigtlander Bessa R2M / R3M Specs

• Leica M mount 35mm film cameras with metered manual exposure

• Classic Black Paint in standard or Anniversary editions, Silver Paint available only in Anniversary editions

• The finder is very bright, with a very bright RF focusing patch, as well as bright easy to see framelines. 

• R3M Finder 1:1 life size, 40/50/75/90 framelines

• R2M Finder .7 magnification, 35/50/75/90 framelines

• Rangefinder Base length of 37mm: This translates to an effective rangefinder base length of 37mm for the 1.0x magnification R3A, and 25.6 mm(37mm x .68 magnification) for the R2A.   In other words, the R3A's rangefinder is 74% as long as the standard .72 Leica M finder, while the R2A's rangefinder is 51% as long as the standard .72 Leica M finder with EBL of 49.32.

• R2M / R3M Rangefinder coupled close focus is .7 meters.  If a particular lens allows closer focusing than .9 meters, set focus using the distance scale focusing on the lens barrel.  

• Mechanical Shutter, 1-1/2000 plus B manually selected speeds: the shutter works without batteries

• This Shutter is the quietest of the Cosina Voigtlander Bessas, roughly the same as the Leica M8

• Electronic Flash sync 1/125th, via hot shoe or PC connection at the end of the camera near the rewind lever.  It is worth mentioning the PC connection is much better located at the end of the camera, then at  the middle of the back of the top plate where it is continually in the way on the Leica M series.

• With a mechanical shutter, if the batteries die you lose the meter, but can still take pictures. The batteries are easy to find SR76, and the camera has low electricity  consumption.

• Two 1.5V Alkaline batteries(LR44) or Silver batteries(SR44).  I like the meter being powered by only two small easy to find LR44 batteries, not the often hard to find  Lithium batteries used by some camera manufacturers.

• Centerweighted TTL Metering for ambient light read off the outer light tight shutter curtains, with a more heavily center weighted pattern than previous Bessas.

• In my opinion the BEST LED metered manual readout of ANY Leica M camera.  YAY !  The readout in .5 EV values is a joy to use.

• RED LED readout at the bottom of the finder:  -2, -1.5, -1.0, -0.5, 0, +0.5,+1.0, +1.5, + 2.0.  

• The meter display activates after the shutter is advanced and the shutter release is pressed.   The display goes out after you shoot,  or about 10 seconds after  you remove your finger from the shutter release.  The red LED readout at the bottom of the finder is easy indoors, but still very usable outdoors.

• Low Batteries are indicated by blinking LEDs at the farthest ends of the shutter speed readout.

• EV1-19(ISO 100, F4, 1 sec.-F16, 1/2000 sec), ISO 25-3200

• Manually set Film Speed ISO 25 to 3200, no DX

• Manually selected framelines, like the R/R2/R2A/R3A.  The R3M has 75, 40/90, 50 combinations.  The R2M has 75, 35/90, 50 combinations.

• Diopters: the new Bessas take the same eyepiece diopters as the Nikon FM3A

• Ratcheting film advance, 45 degree standoff and 120 degree advance stroke

• Unlike the AE R2A/R3A/R4A, there is NO shutter lock on the R2M/R3M/R4M. 

• Size: 135.5(W) x 81(H)x 33.5(D)mm, 430 grams.  Side by side, the R2M / R3M are the same size as the previous R2/R2A/R3A.   Both are slightly shorter than a Leica M body, and slightly taller.  The Bessa R2M/R3M use the previous Bessa RF cases.

• Takes standard Bessa Accessory Grips and Trigger Winder

• The machined rewind lever is much heavier and stronger than the cast R/R2 rewind lever.  To rewind the film, push in the rewind button on the camera, and rewind the film by first raising the end of the rewind lever.   When the film is rewind, pull back the lever at the base of the rewind knob, raising the rewind knob to open the camera back.

• Camera Film Back release is a lever located at base of rewind knob.

• Film reminder window on camera back

Notice the gray metering strip on the outer Copal shutter.   The current production  R2M/R2A/R3M/R3A/R4M/R4A cameras have a more heavily weighted center weighted meter pattern than previous Voigtlander Bessas.

Keeping the same 37mm rangefinder base length as R/R2, the R3M's increased magnification to 1:1 means an EBL or Effective Base Length of 37 mm.   That is less than the Leica  M .58 finder at 40.16 mm, but it is a substantial improvement over the R/R2/R2A/R2M at 25.16 mm.  For more info on Rangefinders, Viewfinders, and Effective Base Length see  RF/VF.  

If you are new to rangefinders, or have never tried a 1:1 RF finder, you might not realize what a BIG deal the R3A 1:1 finder is.  In practical terms the 1:1 finder just makes shooting and composing tremendously easier and faster because you can always keep both eyes open.    Again, the R3A/R3M are the only M mount film cameras EVER with a 1:1 finder!  Yay Mr. K!   

The only previous Leica mount M film camera to leave the factory with a 1:1 finder was the Voigtlander R3A, whether made by Leica, Konica, Minolta, or Cosina, although the .92 magnification Leica M3 was close.  The R3M turns out to be the first mechanical 35mm film camera with projected parallax corrected brightlines in a 1:1 finder.   There are comparatively few quality interchangeable lens 35mm RF's with 1:1 finders.   No other Leica made M film camera, or M clone from Minolta, Konica, or even Cosina Voigtlander has a 1:1 finder.    Classic Nikon rangefinder fans are lucky enough to have 1:1 finders in the S2, S3, and S4, but they don't have the luxury of projected bright lines or parallax correction.   No classic Zeiss Contax had a 1:1 finder.  Classic Leica mount Canon fans enjoyed a 1:1 finder with the Canon P with parallax corrected framelines, but with a mediocre flare prone finder.  

This is the BEST Metered Manual LED exposure readout in any of the Voigtlander Bessa Cameras. The 9 LEDs at the bottom of the finder indicate over / under exposure in half stop increments over a two stop exposure range.  I always liked the LED readout in the Nikon FM/FM2, but wanted more than Nikon's five LEDs for a  full meter readout.  Like the R2A/R3A, the metering range is EV1 to 19, or EI 100 f/1.4 at 1 second to 1/2000th at f/16.  Film speed is manually set, with an ISO range of 25 to 3200.  Left to Right, the red LED readout is -2 -1.5 -1 -.5 0 +.5 +1 +1.5 + 2  

Rangefinder Baselength of 37mm: This translates to an effective rangefinder baselength of 37mm for the 1.0x magnification R3M, and 25.9 mm(37mm x .68 magnification) for the R2M.   In other words, the R3M's rangefinder is 74% as long as the standard .72 Leica M finder, while the R2M's rangefinder is 52% as long as the standard .72 Leica M finder. 

 

Voigtlander 50/1.1 Nokton on standard production Voigtlander R3M.  Notice "R3M" on face plate instead of "Bessa R3M" and "Voigtlander Bessa" on top plate instead of "Voigtlander 1756-2006 250 Jahre" as on the silver Anniversary Bessa shown below.    This classic style shiny black paint finish is a first for Cosina Voigtlander Bessa bodies.  

 

 

The R2M / R3M have a double folding film rewind crank which I find a bit more convenient in use than the previous designs.

Like the Bessa T, R2, R2S, R2C, R2A, R3A and Bessaflex, the trigger operated Bessa Winder can be added to the R2M / R3M for faster shooting.  This is one "motordrive" that works without batteries.  Some shooters find the Grip A makes operation more comfortable.  When the trigger is retracted into the body, the camera is still fully operational by the normal film advance.

Pulling the lever forward at the base of the rewind knob and then raising the rewind knob opens the easy to load camera back

Bessa R2M or Bessa R3M ?

The R2M / R3M bodies are identical, except for the viewfinders.  The R2M has a .7x magnification viewfinder with 35/50/75/90 framelines.  The R3M has a 1.0x magnification viewfinder with 40/50/75/90 framelines.

The advantage of the R2M is the 35 frameline, and that IF you don't wear glasses, some people use the full frame of the viewfinder for an approximation of a  28mm field of view -- although the hot shoe mounted 28 accessory viewfinder does a better job.

The advantage of the R3M is the life-size 1.0x magnification viewfinder.   This means that if you focus with your right eye, you can shoot with both eyes open, giving you full periphery viewing far beyond the framelines with less eye strain.  And of course, the 40 frameline mates perfectly with the very popular Voigtlander 40/1.4 Nokton.  With the higher magnification, you also get slightly more accurate focusing as the R3M has a longer effective rangefinder baselength than the lower magnification R2M.   IF you don't wear glasses, you may find it useful to use the entire full R3M viewfinder as a 35mm field of view.

The disadvantage of the R3M to some glasses wearers is trouble seeing all four edges of the 40 frameline.  This problem increases with the thickness of your glasses.  Yet many people who are bothered by this are expecting SLR like viewing accuracy from the framelines.  In fact framelines in all Leica mount cameras (regardless of camera manufacturer) are more like approximations as they show the minimum you will get on film when the camera is focused at its closest focus distance.  At infinity, you always get more than what the framelines show.  Bottom line, it depends upon your glasses and what works with you.  Even if you wear thick glasses, you will likely have no problem seeing the 50/75/90 R3M framelines.

R2A /R3A vs. R2M / R3M?

These four cameras are produced in the same factory on the same assembly line by the same personnel, using the same body casting.  They differ primarily in their shutters and Aperture Priority Exposure vs. Metered Manual Exposure.

The R2A / R3A have electronic shutters which makes possible your choice of either metered manual metering (you adjust the f/stops or shutter speeds to match the finder readout) or Aperture Priority Automatic Exposure (you choose the f/stop, the camera automatically chooses the shutter speed) with AE exposure lock.  The R2A / R3A offer faster shooting with Aperture Priority -- a big plus for street photography or quick moving events.  The disadvantage is like virtually all other electronic shutter cameras, dead batteries mean a dead camera.

The R2M / R3M have mechanical shutters, which means no Aperture Priority AE.  Dead batteries mean no meter, but you can continue to take pictures by setting the exposure yourself.  In my opinion the R2M / R3M have the best metered manual metering display of ANY Leica mount rangefinder.  In addition, the R2M / R3M shutters are noticeably quieter than the earlier mechanical shutters of the Bessa L, T or R2, but yet not as quiet as the cloth shutters in the Leica M series.

The R2M / R3M 250th Anniversary cameras are relatively rare limited edition cameras produced in either silver paint or classic black paint.  The R2A / R3A are standard production cameras, produced in either black splatter paint or gray paint.  The R2M / R3M have a LED meter readout in plus / - half stops from -2 to +2.  The R2A / R3A have a LED meter readout indicating the closest selected shutter speed.

All of that said, on a personal note I have to say that I prefer classic mechanical cameras over electronic cameras.  So my pick would be the R2M or R3M over the R2A or R3A.  I just like the sound of mechanical shutter camera better, as well as preferring the classic metering readout.

 Which to Choose?

Buy the Bessa which suits YOUR needs best.  Only you can decide that.  The best Bessa for your best friend may or may not be the best camera for YOU.

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Voigtlander Black paint R3M 250th Anniversary Sets with 50/2 Heliar 

 

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  250th Voigtlander Anniversary R2M Presentation Sets  with  50/2 Heliar 

R3M Finder 1:1 life size, 40/50/75/90 framelines, R2M Finder .7 magnification, 35/50/75/90 framelines

 

This is the first time that a f/2 Heliar lens has ever been produced by any lens manufacturer in any focal length.   As one of only two camera Japanese camera manufacturers that make their own glass, my guess is that Mr. K instructed the glass work gnomes to produce special glass to make the f/2 possible in this Heliar design.  It is the classic five element Heliar design.  Heliar or not, it is a very big deal to produce a quality 50/2 lens with ONLY FIVE ELEMENTS. With fewer elements, I believe this will pay off with higher contrast and less flare than the typical six to seven element 50/2 lens.

  

Like the Voigtlander 100th Anniversary Heliar and Voigtlander 101st Heliar Anniversary sets before it, the 250th Voigtlander Anniversary set were double boxed in a commemorative presentation box with outer commemorative shipping box.  Hint: Keep the boxes!

 

Silver R2M and R3Ms were only produced as Anniversary cameras, not standard production

 

 

Silver R2M with 50/2 Heliar mounting the optional LH-4 vented lens hood, MiniSoftRelease and Bessa Side Grip.

OF the 2500 total 250th Anniversary Sets, 1000 went to Europe, with another 1000 or more to the Japanese home market.  500 or less shipped to the US and the rest of the world.  The 250th Voigtlander Sets are rare cameras! 

Popular Photography raves about the 50/2 Heliar!  Take a look at the December 2006 issue of Popular Photography, page 59.  Burt Keppler's article is essentially about the 50/2 Heliar.  Quoting  "The Heliar turned out to be incredibly good, comparable at all apertures to the 50mm f/2 Leica Summicron-M we'd tested in 1996."  Cosina did it with "Newly developed super high-index glass (that) reduces all aberrations."  Keep in mind the only two camera makers in Japan that produce their own glass are Cosina and Nikon.  When Tom Abrahamasson and I discussed a new Heliar at the factory with Mr. K in 2004, he was not at all sure a satisfactory modern 50/2.8 Heliar could be produced.   It would not surprise me if Mr. K had this high index glass developed just for the new Heliar. 

March 22, 2006: Voigtlander announced the Voigtlander 250th Anniversary sets commemorating the founding of Voigtlander in 1756.   The 250th Heliar Anniversary sets consist of either the new Voigtlander Bessa R2M or R3M with the new Voigtlander 50/2 Heliar collapsible lens in M mount.   It's nice to be able to talk about them.  Tom Abrahamsson and I discussed the design with Cosina's CEO  Mr. Kobayashi  at the factory in March 2005.   Our suggestions included a black paint finish, 39mm filter size, and a faster than 50/3.5 Heliar lens.  Mr. K was not sure at the time if a 50/2 Heliar could be produced.  It seems Mr. K kept the Cosina lens designers burning the midnight oil.

The R2M an R3M are mechanical shutter versions of the R3A and R2A.  Two camera finishes are available, black paint or silver paint.  Total production 2500 cameras worldwide --  300 Silver R2M, 700 Black R2M,  500 Silver R3M and 1000 Black R3M.  At this point in time, the R3M and R2M are available only in the special edition Voigtlander 250th Anniversary sets.  Likewise the 50/2 Heliar has only been announced as part of the 250th set.  Two versions of the lens, black paint or chrome, 39mm filter size.  The 50/2 Heliar can be safely collapsed into any of the Cosina Voigtlander bodies, or into the Cosina made Zeiss Ikon body.

 

 

The new 50/2 Heliar is just a beautifully crafted lens, down to its bayonet on lens hood and red mounting dot.  It is styled much like the original collapsible Leitz 50/2 Summicron of 1953.  The f/stop spacing is non-linear.  It has clicked half stops between f/2 to f/11, but no half stop between the close together f/11 and f/16.  The silver prototype lens shown here has a small focusing knob built on the lens barrel.  The knob was removed in production lenses -- Mr. K must have thought it was not needed after some field testing.    By my memory this is the only multi-coated collapsible 50/2 lens ever made in Leica screw or M mount.  The standard lens hood is a small tubular hood, although the LH-4 produced for the 35/2.5 PII also mounts perfectly.  Note the 250th Anniversary engraving on the base of the lens barrel.

COLLAPSIBLE NOTE for Leica M8, M5, CL, Minolta CLE and Konica RF:  On my five sample cameras, the Voigtlander 50/2 Heliar collapsed safely into all of them!  Note there are most likely unknown production variations in both the lenses and cameras.  so proceed with caution before you inadvertently jam or damage your camera.

 250th Anniversary Silver R2M Top Plate: Mechanical Shutter 1 to 1/2000th, flash sync at 1/125th, note lack of shutter lock compared to R2A / R3A, 50/2 Heliar shown in collapsed position, note classic Voigtlander type style, "Jahre" is German for Year.  The advantage of the mechanical shutter is that only the meter dies if the batteries die -- the rest of the camera still functions and you will be able to continue taking pictures!   The exposure system is metered manual.  Shown is the silver R2M with 50/2 Heliar locked in shooting position and standard round lens hood.

The 2006 250th Voigtlander Anniversary 50/2 Heliar lens mounted on a blue 2001 101st  Heliar Anniversary Bessa T with optional LH-4 vented hood.   Note the snap on caps fits inside the hood.

The leaning Tower of Voigtlander: top plates compared, top to bottom: Silver R2M, Gray R2A, Olive R2, Silver R

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Revised: March 15, 2018 .  Copyright © 2006-14 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.