{{short description|35mm SLR camera}} {{Infobox camera | camera_name = Bessamatic | image = Bessamatic img 1829.jpg | caption = ''Bessamatic'' with ''Color-Skopar X'' 50 mm {{f/|2.8}} lens (''Tessar''-type) | type = 35mm SLR camera | maker = Voigtländer | lens_mount = DKL-mount | focus = manual | exposure = manual | flash = | frame-rate = | dimensions = | shutter = Synchro-Compur leaf | shutter_speeds = 1–{{frac|500}} + B, X/M }} The '''Bessamatic''' and '''Ultramatic''' were lines of 35mm SLR cameras made by Voigtländer in the 1960s, featuring a selenium meter. It uses a leaf shutter, similar to competing SLR cameras manufactured by Kodak (Retina Reflex) and Zeiss Ikon (Contaflex SLR) in Germany, rather than the focal plane shutter almost universally adopted by Japanese SLRs such as the contemporary Nikon F and Pentax Spotmatic. The ''Ultramatic'' was released in 1963, which used the same lens mount and added a shutter-priority autoexposure mode.
==Design== thumb|left|Top view of ''Bessamatic Deluxe'' camera with ''Color-Skopar X'' lens The leaf shutter is a Synchro-Compur unit mounted behind the interchangeable lens, which uses the DKL-mount, although lenses made for the Bessamatic are not generally compatible with other DKL-mount cameras, and the Bessamatic DKL-mount will not generally accept non-Voigtländer lenses without physical modifications.<ref name=Eckman-Bessamatic/> The shutter speed settings range from 1 to {{frac|500}} sec plus "B"ulb.
As implemented, leaf shutter SLRs have two separate sets of blades: one to control the exposure time, and another to control the aperture. Because the shutter and aperture are held wide open while the photograph is being composed, there is a complicated sequence of operations required once the shutter release button is pressed:<ref name=Eckman-Bessamatic>{{cite web |url=https://mikeeckman.com/2018/11/voigtlander-bessamatic-deluxe-1962/ |title=Voigtländer Bessamatic Deluxe (1962) |author=Eckman, Mike |date=November 13, 2018 |website=MikeEckman.com |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref> # Shutter is closed and aperture is stopped down # Mirror (and capping plate) are raised # Shutter is opened to expose the film # Shutter is closed to end the exposure, aperture returns to wide open #:This introduces an unavoidable shutter lag of approximately {{frac|50}} sec.<ref name=Eckman-Bessamatic/> Then, as the film is wound on to the next frame, additional operations follow to make the camera ready for the next composition and exposure: # Mirror (and capping plate) are lowered # Shutter is cocked and opened
The Bessamatic has a reputation as a tricky camera to repair, although if looked after it can be reliable and pleasant to use. It is certainly worth seeking out someone familiar with this model for servicing and repair, as the reputation is not totally unfounded.{{cn|date=August 2020}} The mechanism is very precisely made with many small components and can be damaged if any of the controls are forced. This can easily turn a minor repair into a camera fit only for spare parts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.klassik-cameras.de/WestdeutscheSLR.html |title=Westdeutsche Kleinbildcameras - wie sie gegen die Japaner verloren |lang=de |trans-title=West German 35mm cameras - how they lost to the Japanese |date=August 2022 |author=Mechelhoff, Frank |website=Klassik Cameras |access-date=2 May 2023 |quote=Letztendlich waren die Contaflex Super BC und die Ultramatic CS mechanisch ''kompliziertere'' Cameras als die Schlitzverschluß-SLR des Typs Pentax Spotmatic, waren größer und schwerer, bestanden aus mehr Teilen und mussten deswegen auch in der Produktion '''teurer''' sein. Die Pentax wies eigentlich bloß eine einzige technische Finesse auf - eben die TTL-Belichtungsmessung - und war ansonsten eine einfach konstruierte, aber eben auch robuste und wenig störanfällige, mechanische Camera. Alte Pentax-SLRs sind heute noch ohne erhebliche Kosten zu überholen während Zentralverschluß-SLRs dieses letzten Typs sehr anfällig, und, wenn etwas defekt ist, fast unreparierbar sind.<!--Translation: Ultimately, the Contaflex Super BC and the Ultramatic CS were mechanically more complicated cameras than the focal plane shutter SLRs of the Pentax Spotmatic type, and were larger and heavier, consisted of more parts and therefore had to be more expensive to produce. The Pentax actually only had one technical finesse - the TTL exposure metering - and was otherwise simply constructed, but also robust and less susceptible to failure, mechanical camera. Old Pentax SLRs can still be refurbished today without significant expense, while leaf shutter SLRs of this latter type are very vulnerable and, if something goes wrong, almost beyond repair.-->}}</ref>
===Models=== thumb|right|Voigtländer Ultramatic CS Zeiss Ikon purchased a stake in Voigtländer in the 1940s, and acquired the remainder in 1956, but Voigtländer continued to operate as an autonomous unit. The original Bessamatic was released in 1958,<ref name=Matanle-C10>{{cite book |title=Collecting and using Classic SLRs |first=Ivor |last=Matanle |publisher=Thames & Hudson, London |year=1996 |isbn=0-500-01726-3 |lccn=96-60139 |url=https://archive.org/details/collectingusingc0000mata/ |url-access=registration |chapter=10: Leaf shutters and just plain weird shutters |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/collectingusingc0000mata/page/192/mode/2up |pages=192–211}}</ref>{{rp|202}} in direct competition with the Zeiss Ikon Contaflex SLR, which also was a leaf shutter SLR made in Germany with interchangeable lenses. In comparison to the Contaflex, the Bessamatic offered a more convenient, fully-coupled exposure meter,<ref name=Voigt-Mechelhoff>{{cite web |url=https://www.klassik-cameras.de/Voigtlaender-Niedergang.html |title=Der Niedergang des Hauses Voigtländer |lang=de |trans-title=The Decline of the House of Voigtländer |author=Mechelhoff, Frank |date=February 2013 |website=Klassik Cameras |access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref> although the Bessamatic did not have an instant-return mirror; the mirror instead was dropped into viewing position when the film was wound.<ref name=Eckman-Bessamatic/> The Bessamatic also used the DKL bayonet lens mount introduced in 1956 with the Voigtländer Vitessa T rangefinder camera, with some physical differences that left the systems mutually incompatible.
In 1962/63, Voigtländer released the '''Bessamatic Deluxe''' and '''Ultramatic'''.<ref name=Matanle-C10/>{{rp|202}} The Deluxe added a small periscope to relay aperture and shutter speed settings into the viewfinder. The Ultramatic included those displays and added a shutter-priority autoexposure mode; the camera could automatically select the aperture based on the photographer's selection of a shutter speed.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wiADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA179 |title=What's New: Photography {{!}} SLRs Go Automatic |date=April 1963 |magazine=Popular Science |access-date=2 May 2023 |publisher=Popular Science Publishing Co., Inc. |volume=182 |number=4 |page=179}}</ref> In addition, the Ultramatic had a rapid-return mirror, meaning the mirror automatically reset to its lowered position after the exposure, without requiring the film to be wound on, as implemented with the Bessamatic models.<ref name=Eckman-Ultramatic>{{cite web |url=https://mikeeckman.com/2019/10/voigtlander-ultramatic-cs-1965/ |title=Voigtländer Ultramatic CS (1965) |author=Eckman, Mike |date=October 22, 2019 |website=MikeEckman.com |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref>
The '''Bessamatic m''' was an entry-level model introduced in 1964 which has no meter at all, and is uncommon today. The m typically was bundled with a three-element ''Color-Lanthar'' lens to reduce costs; although the ''Color-Lanthar'' is less common than the ''Color-Skopar'' and usually more expensive now, the ''Tessar''-derived ''Skopar'' is a superior lens.<ref name=Matanle-C10/>{{rp|202}}
thumb|right|''Ultramatic CS'' with ''Septon'' 50 mm {{f/|2}} lens Voigtländer introduced the '''Ultramatic CS''' in 1965, updating the meter from an external selenium cell to a coupled, TTL light meter using a {{chem|Cd|S|link=Cadmium sulfide}} photoresistor, retaining the shutter-priority autoexposure mode and the shutter speed and aperture periscope from the original Ultramatic, being one of the first TTL metering SLRs to have both settings displayed.<ref name=Matanle-C10/>{{rp|203}} The rapid return mirror was dropped from the prior Ultramatic, though, as that camera proved to be vulnerable to a jammed shutter, and the Ultramatic CS generally is regarded as a more reliable model.<ref name=Eckman-Ultramatic/>
By 1963, Voigtländer's chief designer, Walter Swarofsky, had developed the ''Bessaflex'' as a potential successor to the Bessamatic/Ultramatic line, using a proprietary bayonet lens mount and a focal plane shutter. However, the project was shelved as Voigtländer's parent, Zeiss Ikon, already was selling three mutually incompatible SLR systems (the Contaflex SLR, Contarex, and Bessamatic/Ultramatic).<ref name=Mechelhoff>{{cite web |url=https://www.klassik-cameras.de/Icarex.html |title=ICAREX 35 - die tragische Gestalt der Zeiss-Ikon-Werke (1966-1972) |trans-title=ICAREX 35 - the tragic figure of the Zeiss-Ikon factories (1966-1972) |lang=de |author=Mechelhoff, Frank |date=November 26, 2009 |website=Klassik Cameras |access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref> The ''Bessaflex'' project eventually was revived and released as the Zeiss Ikon/Voigtländer ''Icarex 35'' in 1966.<ref name=Voigt-Mechelhoff/>
thumb|left|''Bessamatic CS'' with ''Septon'' 50 mm {{f/|2}} lens After the Icarex was released, Voigtländer also gave the Bessamatic the same CdS TTL meter as the Ultramatic CS, releasing the '''Bessamatic CS''' in 1967. The Bessamatic CS is typically fitted with a ''Color-Lanthar'' 50 mm {{f/|2.8}} lens. The Bessamatic CS is relatively uncommon,<ref name=Matanle-C10/>{{rp|203}} as the Bessamatic and Ultramatic lines were supplemented and ultimately replaced by the Icarex, and Zeiss Ikon/Voigtländer wound down production of the older leaf shutter ''-matic'' SLR lines by 1969.<ref name=Voigt-Mechelhoff/>
=={{anchor|Primes|Zooms|Bessamatic DKL-mount lenses}}Lenses== [[File:Système Voigtländer, objectifs montés devant l'obturateur central.jpg|thumb|right|''Ultramatic CS'' with lens removed, displaying the behind-lens Compur leaf shutter]] Although the Bessamatic and Ultramatic share the same DKL-mount with the preceding Vitessa T, there are physical differences that make Vitessa T lenses incompatible with the Bessamatic and vice versa. For instance, lenses for the Vitessa T include an aperture control ring on the lens, while the aperture control ring is fixed to the camera on the Bessamatic and Ultramatic. Other differences to the mounting lugs make the Bessamatic lenses incompatible with other DKL-mount cameras.<ref>{{cite web |first=Rolf-Peter |last=Müller |title=Bessamatic / Objektive (Fremdobjektive) |lang=de |trans-title=Bessamatic / Lenses (third-party lenses) |url=http://www.der-klinterklater.de/retinaobjektive.html}}</ref> Within the line of Voigtländer lenses, an additional physical coupling is required for autoexposure with the Ultramatics; lenses so equipped are marked with a yellow dot on the rear flange.<ref name=Matanle-C10/>{{rp|203–204}}
[[File:Voigtlander Bessamatic avec Zoomar.jpg|thumb|left|''Bessamatic Deluxe'' with Zoomar lens]] The interchangeable lenses for the Bessamatic / Ultramatic are highly regarded.<ref name=Matanle-C10/>{{rp|203}} The most common lenses found on the Bessamatic are the ''Color-Lanthar'', ''Color-Skopar'', and ''Color-Skopar X'', all of which are 50 mm focal length with a maximum aperture of {{f/|2.8}}. As an alternative, the faster ''Septon'', 50 mm {{f/|2}}, is also sometimes fitted to these cameras, and is highly prized.
The 35mm ''Skoparex'' is unusual, but not hard to find.
The 135mm f/4 ''Super-Dynarex'' is relatively common, although the longer 200mm and 350mm ''Super-Dynarex'' telephoto lenses are relatively rare and expensive.
The Bessamatic was the first SLR to be fitted with a zoom lens, the ''Zoomar''. This is a highly sought after collectible and is quite expensive. {{clear}} {|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%;text-align:center;" |+{{anchor|Voigtländer Bessamatic DKL-mount lenses}}Voigtländer Bessamatic/Ultramatic SLR DKL-mount lenses<ref name="Müller_1">{{cite web |first=Rolf-Peter |last=Müller |title=Bessamatic / Objektive (Übersicht) |trans-title=Bessamatic / Lenses (Overview) |lang=de |url=http://www.der-klinterklater.de/uebersicht.html |access-date=3 May 2023}}</ref> ! rowspan=2 | Name !! rowspan=2 | FL (mm) !! rowspan=2 | Aperture !! colspan=2 | Construction !! rowspan=2 | Intro. !! class="unsortable" rowspan=2 | Notes |- ! Ele !! Grp
|- | colspan=7 data-sort-value="zzzc" style="font-size:125%;background:#ffd;" | Wide angle lenses |- ! ''Skoparex'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#ffd;" | 35 | {{f/|3.4}} | 6 || 5 | 1958 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | (I: 0.9/1m or 3 ft; II: 0.9/1m and 3 ft; III: 0.9/1m and 3 ft + bigger ring; IV: 0.4m and 1.5 ft + bigger ring)
|- | colspan=7 data-sort-value="zzzd" style="font-size:125%;background:#dfd;" | Normal lenses |- ! ''Skopagon'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#dfd;" | 40 | {{f/|2.0}} | 9 || 6 | 1961 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | (I: 0.9m or 3 ft; II: 0.9m and 3 ft; III: 0.5m and 2 ft) |- ! ''Color-Skopar X'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#dfd;" | 50 | {{f/|2.8}} | 4 || 3 | 1958 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | (I: 0.9/1m or 3 ft; II: 0.9/1m and 3 ft; III: 0.9/1m and 3 ft + bigger ring; IV: 0.6m and 2 ft + bigger ring) |- ! ''Color-Skopar'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#dfd;" | 50 | {{f/|2.8}} | 4 || 3 | 1965 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | (0.6m and 2 ft + bigger ring; since ca. 1965) |- ! ''Color-Lanthar'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#dfd;" | 50 | {{f/|2.8}} | 3 || 3 | 1964 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | (for Bessamatic m) |- ! ''Septon'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#dfd;" | 50 | {{f/|2.0}} | 7 || 5 | 1960 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | (I: 0.9m or 3 ft; II: 0.9m and 3 ft; III: 0.6m and 2 ft)
|- | colspan=7 data-sort-value="zzze" style="font-size:125%;background:#ddf;" | Portrait lenses |- ! ''Dynarex'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#ddf;" | 90 | {{f/|3.4}} | 5 || 4 | 1960 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | |- ! ''Dynarex'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#ddf;" | 100 | {{f/|4.8}} | 6 || 4 | 1960 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | |- ! ''Super-Dynarex'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#ddf;" | 135 | {{f/|4.0}} | 4 || 3 | 1958 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | (I: 4m or 13 ft; II: 4m and 13 ft)
|- | colspan=7 data-sort-value="zzzf" style="font-size:125%;background:#ede;" | Telephoto lenses |- ! ''Super-Dynarex'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#ede;" | 200 | {{f/|4.0}} | 5 || 4 | 1962 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | |- ! ''Super-Dynarex'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#ede;" | 350 | {{f/|5.6}} | 7 || 6 | 1964 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" |
|- | colspan=7 data-sort-value="zzzg" style="font-size:125%;background:#ddd;" | Zoom lenses |- ! ''Zoomar'' | style="font-size:125%;background:#ddd;" | 36–82 | {{f/|2.8}} | 14 || 11 | 1959 | style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | |}
Originally, the lenses were labelled with either metric or imperial distance scales (type I). Later versions featured both (type II and higher). Some later types also had a thicker ring. Some of the lenses had better close focusing capabilities in late types. Lenses produced after 1959 are marked with yellow paint on a screw head attaching the lens flange, indicating the presence of a special cutout to transfer a lens's maximum aperture (2, 2.8, 3.4, or 4 and higher) for use with the Ultramatic and Ultramatic CS.<ref name="Müller_2">{{cite web |first=Rolf-Peter |last=Müller |title=Bessamatic / Ultramatic (Belichtungsautomatik) |lang=de |trans-title=Bessamatic / Ultramatic (Autoexposure) |url=http://www.der-klinterklater.de/belichtungsautomatik.html#kennung}}</ref>
{{anchor|Carl Zeiss Bessamatic DKL-mount lenses}}List of Carl Zeiss Bessamatic/Ultramatic SLR DKL-mount lenses:
*Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f2.0 (prototype only)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collectiblend.com/Lenses/Zeiss,-Carl/50mm-f2-Planar-(Voigtl%C3%A4nder-Bessamatic-Ultramatic,-prototype.html|title=Zeiss, Carl: 50mm (5cm) f2 Planar (Voigtländer Bessamatic/Ultramatic, prototype) Lens Price Guide: estimate your lens value|website=collectiblend.com|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> *Carl Zeiss Tessar 50mm f2.8 (prototype only)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collectiblend.com/Lenses/Zeiss,-Carl/50mm-f2.8-Tessar-(voigtl%C3%A4nder-vitessa,-prototype,-compur).html|title=Zeiss, Carl: 50mm (5cm) f2.8 Tessar (voigtländer vitessa, prototype, compur) Lens Price Guide: estimate your lens value|website=collectiblend.com|language=en|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>
<!-- parked here for as long as we don't have an article about the Vitessa T -->
==References== {{From Camerapedia|Ultramatic CS|4 August 2007}} {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Voigtländer Ultramatic CS}} *[https://apenasimagens.com/en/voigtlander-bessamatic-zoomar-septon-super-dynarex-skopar-skoparex/ Bessamatic and lenses in apenasimagens.com] * {{cite web |url=https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01553/01553.pdf |title=Voigtländer Bessamatic: Instructions for Use |publisher=Voigtländer |website=Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/02997/02997.pdf |title=The Ultramatic in use |publisher=Voigtländer |website=Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01120/01120.pdf |title=Voigtländer cameras and accessories (catalog) |publisher=Voigtländer / Sawyer's |website=Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library}}
{{From Camerapedia|Bessamatic|4 August 2007}}
{{Voigtländer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Voigtlander Bessamatic}} Bessamatic Category:135 film cameras