{{short description|Family of cameras by Cosina Voigtländer}} thumb|Voigtländer Bessa R3a {{for|the folding rollfilm (medium format) cameras manufactured by Voigtländer|Voigtländer Bessa}} The '''Bessa''' family of cameras was manufactured in Japan by Cosina as a revival of the Voigtländer brand name between 1999 and 2015.
==Models== Every Cosina Voigtländer Bessa camera has a double focal-plane shutter with two sets of curtains to prevent damage by the sun. Shutter speeds range from 1 to {{frac|2000}} s and bulb (B), with flash sync at {{frac|125}} s on hot-shoe or PC terminal. They all have TTL exposure metering, and manual exposure controls; models with an "A" suffix (e.g., R2A, R3A, R4A) also have an aperture priority automatic mode.
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%;text-align:center;" |+Cosina Voigtländer Bessa cameras ! {{diagonal split header|Model|Features}} ! class="unsortable" | Image !! Mount !! RF !! VF !! Intro. !! Disc. !! class="unsortable" | Notes / Refs. |- ! Bessa-L | frameless|upright=0.6 | rowspan=2 | M39 || {{no X}} || {{no X}} | {{dts|1999|02|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2003|05|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | <ref name=M39>{{cite web |url=http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigtlander/archives/bessa-l_r.pdf |title=Archives: Bessa-L/R |publisher=Cosina Voigtländer |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> |- ! Bessa-R | frameless|upright=0.6 | rowspan=12 {{yes C}} || {{yes C}} 0.7× (35, 50, 75, 90) | {{dts|2000|03|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2004|07|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | <ref name=M39/> |- ! Bessa-T | frameless|upright=0.6 | rowspan=2 | M || {{no X}} | {{dts|2001|04|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2005|12|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | <ref name=VM1>{{cite web |url=http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigtlander/archives/bessa-t-r2.pdf |title=Archives: Rangefinder cameras before 2007 |publisher=Cosina Voigtländer |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> |- ! Bessa-R2 | frameless|upright=0.6 | {{yes C}} 0.7× (35, 50, 75, 90) | {{dts|2002|04|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2004|10|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | <ref name=VM1/> |- ! Bessa-R2S/R2C | frameless|upright=0.6 | S / C || {{yes C}} 0.7× (35, 50, 85) | {{dts|2002|11|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2005|04|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | <ref name=S-C>{{cite web |url=http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigtlander/archives/bessa-r2sc.pdf |title=Archives: Bessa-R2S/R2C |publisher=Cosina Voigtländer |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> |- ! Bessa-R2A | frameless|upright=0.6 | rowspan=8 | M || {{yes C}} 0.7× (35, 50, 75, 90) | {{dts|2004|10|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2007|07|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | Gray variant introduced July 2005, discontinued July 2007.<ref name=VM1/> |- ! Bessa-R3A | frameless|upright=0.6 | {{yes C}} 1.0× (40, 50, 75, 90) | {{dts|2004|10|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2006|06|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | Gray variant introduced July 2005, discontinued July 2007.<ref name=VM1/> |- ! Bessa-R2A (revised) | | rowspan=2 {{yes C}} 0.7× (35, 50, 75, 90) | {{dts|2007|01|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2013|06|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | Minor cosmetic differences for folding rewind lever.<ref name=CQ-R2A-R3A>{{cite web |url=https://cameraquest.com/voigtr2ar3a.htm |title=Voigtlander Bessa R2A or R3A 35mm Leica M Mount Rangefinders |author=Gandy, Stephen |website=CameraQuest |access-date=8 September 2023 |quote=The Grey V2 R2A and the Black V1 R2A. How to tell the difference? Notice the rewind lever. If the R2A/R3A rewind lever has a set screw in the middle of the folded rewind lever, it is a Version 1. Notice the grey Version 2 above it has no set screw in the folded rewind, instead having a jointed folding rewind lever.}}</ref><ref name=VM2>{{cite web |url=http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigtlander/archives/bessa-r2a_3a_4a_2m_3m_4m.pdf |title=Archives: Rangefinder cameras after 2007 |publisher=Cosina Voigtländer |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> |- ! Bessa-R2M | frameless|upright=0.6 | {{dts|2007|02|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2015|09|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | <ref name=VM2/> |- ! Bessa-R3A (revised) | frameless|upright=0.6 | rowspan=2 {{yes C}} 1.0× (40, 50, 75, 90) | {{dts|2007|01|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2013|06|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | Minor cosmetic differences for folding rewind lever.<ref name=CQ-R2A-R3A/><ref name=VM2/> |- ! Bessa-R3M | frameless|upright=0.6 | {{dts|2007|02|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2015|09|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | <ref name=VM2/> |- ! Bessa-R4A | frameless|upright=0.6 | rowspan=2 {{yes C}} 0.52× (21, 25, 28, 35, 50) | {{dts|2007|03|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2013|06|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | <ref name=VM2/> |- ! Bessa-R4M | | {{dts|2007|03|abbr=on}} || {{dts|2015|09|abbr=on}} | style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;" | <ref name=VM2/> |} ==={{anchor|Bessa-L|Bessa-T|107-SW|T101}}Bessa-L and Bessa-T (finderless)=== thumb|Bessa-L The first model was the '''Bessa-L''', introduced in 1999. This was a finderless body with a Leica screw mount, and operation and specifications similar to SLRs built by Cosina for other brands, such as the Nikon FM10, Olympus OM-2000, and Ricoh KR-5.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HS1ciOEQg7UC&pg=PA92 |title=Test: Voigtländer Bessa-L |date=October 1999 |magazine=Popular Photography |pages=92–95;112;116 |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> It was introduced with a range of Voigtländer 39 mm screw lenses that were quite inexpensive and said to be of excellent quality. It could of course mount all the wide variety of 39 mm screw lenses by manufacturers as diverse as Leica, Canon, Nikon and even cheaper but often excellent Soviet lenses.
The ''Bessa-L'' was mostly intended to be used with ultra wide angle lenses, with which the absence of a focusing device is not a problem. Most notably Voigtländer introduced a 15 mm and a 12 mm lens, the latter being the widest rectilinear full-frame lens ever marketed up to then.
The ''Bessa-L'' has TTL metering with LED readout on the back edge of the top plate with an ASA range of 25–1600 and an EV range 1 to 19 at ASA 100. The readout consists of two red arrows pointing to a green light in between to indicate over, under, or correct exposure.
For some markets, the Voigtländer ''Bessa-L'' was sold as the '''Cosina 107-SW'''.
The ''Bessa-L'' was supplemented in 2001 by the '''Bessa-T''', which used the Leica M-mount, could receive a trigger advance design, and had an integrated rangefinder with high magnification, but no viewfinder. It was sold in silver or black; from 2002, also in gray or olive (at a higher price and perhaps only in Japan). It is now discontinued.
In 2001, the ''Bessa-T'' was sold in a special kit, called '''Heliar 101st Anniversary''' (in short "T101"), with a 50 mm f:3.5 collapsible Heliar lens, for the anniversary of the Voigtländer Heliar lens design. It existed in black, grey, olive and blue: five hundred numbered examples were produced for each color.
==={{anchor|Bessa-R|Bessa R2}}Bessa-R and Bessa R2 (manual rangefinder)=== thumb|right|Bessa-R The '''Bessa-R''', introduced in 2000, was a rangefinder camera with a projected frame finder and a Leica screw mount. Although considerably cheaper than a Leica M camera, its viewfinder was comparable in function and feeling. It featured manually selectable frames for 35 mm/90 mm, 50 mm, and 75 mm lenses. The body, made of polycarbonate plastics, was not comparable to that of a Leica but was solid enough. All in all it was an inexpensive, all-manual rangefinder with TTL metering at a significantly lower price than a comparably equipped Leica M camera. It was available in black or silver; from 2002, also in navy blue or olive (at a higher price and perhaps only in Japan).
thumb|Bessa R2 The '''Bessa R2''' replaced the ''Bessa-R'' in 2002. It was an updated version, with a Leica M-mount replacing the Leica screw mount, and the ability to take the same trigger advance accessory as the ''Bessa-T''. Its quality of fabrication and overall finish was much better than the R, with magnesium alloy replacing the former model's plastic plates and a more substantial cast (as opposed to pressed) metal film rewind lever. The changes resulted in a more solid and marginally larger camera, available in either olive (with chrome detailing) or splatter-textured black paint finishes. The Bessa-R's self-timer was deleted from the R2, possibly due to the packaging constraints imposed on the design by the adoption of thicker metal panels.
====Rollei 35 RF==== {{Main|Rollei 35 RF}} The names Cosina, Voigtländer and Bessa appear nowhere on the ''Rollei 35 RF'' (2002), marketed not by Cosina but instead by Rollei Fototechnic. However, the camera is very obviously based on the ''Bessa R2''.<ref name=PP-2005/> The most obvious differences are the price (much higher) and somewhat gaudy appearance; more importantly the framelines are for 40, 50, and 80 mm. Arguably it remains the best Bessa camera for people who wear glasses and primarily use a 40 mm lens.
===={{anchor|Bessa-R2S|Bessa-R2C|Bessa-R2S NHS}}Bessa-R2S and Bessa-R2C (Nikon and Contax mount)==== thumb|Bessa-R2C The '''Bessa-R2S''' and '''Bessa-R2C''' are special versions of the ''Bessa R2'', introduced in 2002, the ''Bessa-R2S'' having a Nikon rangefinder mount and the ''Bessa-R2C'' a Contax rangefinder mount.
In 2005, shortly before discontinuation of these two models was announced, the ''Bessa-R2S'' was also available in a "Nikon Historical Society" (NHS) version with special paintwork and a rigid version of the ''Heliar'' {{f/|3.5}} 50 mm lens sold earlier with the ''Bessa-T''. The set was available to the general public through regular retail channels in the US: Society membership was not required.<ref>"''Bessa-R2S'' 'NHS' kinen moderu ga Amerika de hatsubai".</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AHt_VU1ondYC&pg=PA31 |title=Hall of Fame |date=September 2005 |magazine=Popular Photography |pages=31 |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref>
==={{anchor|Bessa R2A|Bessa R3A}}Bessa R2A and R3A (auto-exposure rangefinder)=== thumb|Bessa R2A The '''Bessa R2A''' and '''Bessa R3A''' were introduced in 2004 and discontinued in 2013. They were updated versions of the ''Bessa R2'', with the Leica M-mount and an aperture-priority automatic exposure, switchable to manual. The ''R2A'' has a finder with a 0.7x magnification, and 35/50/75/90 frame lines. The ''R3A'' has a finder with a 1x magnification, and 40/50/75/90 frame lines.<ref name=PP-2005>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_UCSAnFG6tIC&pg=PT51 |title=Review: Voigtländer Bessa-R3A |author=Keppler, Herbert |date=May 2005 |magazine=Popular Photography |pages=58–59 |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> Both can take the trigger advance accessory.
They were sold in textured black or flat grey paint finishes.
These cameras feature an electronic shutter, making the camera inoperable without batteries.
====Epson R-D1==== {{main|Epson R-D1}} [[File:Epson R-D1 Digital Rangefinder Camera.jpg|thumb|right|Epson R-D1]] The Epson R-D1 was first shown in March 2004 as a prototype interchangeable-lens rangefinder digital camera developed in partnership between Epson and Cosina. It uses an APS-C sensor with 6 megapixel (3008×2000) resolution. Although the appearance is similar to the earlier ''Bessa-R''/''R2'', internal features are closer to the ''Bessa-R2A'', including an aperture-priority autoexposure mode.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dpreview.com/articles/1924025521/epsonrd1 |title=Epson R-D1 Digital Rangefinder Camera |date=March 11, 2004 |work=Digital Photography Review |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref>
====Zeiss Ikon==== thumb|right|Zeiss Ikon ZM with ''Planar'' 50 mm {{f/|2}} lens The Zeiss Ikon ZM (2004) and SW (2006) were introduced under the Zeiss Ikon branding,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://photo.imx.nl/styled-10/camera/zeiss/page68.html |title=Zeiss Ikon ZM camera |author=Puts, Erwin |website=imx.nl |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> with features similar to the Bessa-R3A,<ref name=PP-2005/> including an autoexposure mode and Leica M mount compatibility, and a longer rangefinder base length.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.shutterbug.com/content/new-zeiss-ikon-rangefinder-35-real-traditional-high-end-system |title=The New Zeiss Ikon Rangefinder 35: A Real, Traditional, High-End System |author1=Hicks, Roger W. |author2=Schultz, Frances E. |date=April 1, 2006 |work=Shutterbug |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> The ZM finder has 0.74× magnification and frame lines for 28, 35, 50, and 85 mm lenses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.35mmc.com/19/03/2016/zeiss-ikon-review/ |title=Zeiss Ikon ZM Review – The Ultimate AE M-mount Rangefinder...? |author=Gill, Hamish |date=March 19, 2016 |website=35mmc |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> The SW omits the rangefinder and viewfinder assembly altogether and is intended for use with ultra wide angle lenses, which take advantage of extended depth of field to enable scale focusing at a hyperfocal setting.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shutterbug.com/content/zeiss-ikon-sw-camera-35mm-precision-digital-age |title=The Zeiss Ikon SW Camera and Zeiss Lenses; 35mm Precision In The Digital Age |author=Farace, Joe |date=September 10, 2007 |work=Shutterbug |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref> Both cameras were discontinued after December 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://petapixel.com/2012/12/09/end-of-the-road-zeiss-ikon-rangefinders-to-be-shuttered/ |title=End of the Road: Zeiss Ikon Rangefinders To Be Shuttered |date=December 9, 2012 |author=Cade, DL |website=PetaPixel |access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref>
===={{anchor|Bessa R2M|Bessa R3M|Bessa R2M 250|Bessa R3M 250}}Bessa R2M and R3M (manual rangefinder)==== The '''Bessa R2M''' and '''Bessa R3M''', both announced in Germany around March 2006 and in May elsewhere, are the updated manual-exposure, mechanical-shutter equivalents of the ''R2A'' and ''R3A''.
A special 250th Anniversary Set, sold with a 50 mm {{f/|2}} M-mount collapsible Heliar lens, was also announced. They were sold in black (1000 examples of the ''R3M'', 500 of the ''R2M'') or silver (700 of the ''R3M'', 300 of the ''R2M'').
The Bessa R3m has a 1x viewfinder and 40/50/75/90 framelines. The internal meter requires batteries to operate but since the camera is mechanical it can still take pictures with no batteries.
===={{anchor|Bessa R4M|Bessa R4A}}Bessa R4M and R4A (wide-angle rangefinder)==== Announced in October, 2006 at photokina, the '''Bessa R4M''' and '''Bessa R4A''' were the first Leica M-mount cameras to include framelines wider than 28 mm.{{citation needed|date=March 2011}} The ''R4''-series keeps the same features as the ''R3''-series, but utilizes a wide-angle-specific viewfinder with .52x magnification and framelines for 21, 25, 28, 35, and 50 mm lenses. Like the previous limited edition ''R''-series cameras, the ''R4A'' features aperture-priority autoexposure, while the ''R4M'' features full manual operation, including a mechanical shutter that will continue to work even if the battery (which powers the meter) is dead.
The ''R4M'' is available in the classic black of the ''R2'' and ''R3''-series, while the R4A is available in matte black.
==Notes== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.cosina.co.jp/v.html Cosina Voigtländer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107150413/http://www.cosina.co.jp/v.html |date=2015-11-07 }} Cosina's own site (in Japanese) *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070913093257/http://www.voigtlaender.de/cms/voigtlaender/voigtlaender_cms.nsf/id/pa_dtag6lulbz.html Ringphoto Voigtländer] (in German)
==References== *"''Bessa-R2S'' 'NHS' kinen moderu ga Amerika de hatsubai". (ベッサR2S「NHS」記念モデルがアメリカで発売, Bessa-R2S "NHS" commemorative model for sale in America). KKS076 P. 96.
{{Leica M film cameras}}
{{From Camerapedia|Bessa (35mm)}}
{{Voigtländer}}
Bessa