roland_nicolas Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Hi. After having taken look at Cameraquest website, I really wonder if the new Voigtlander Bessaflex TM is a bargain or not, fot those who want to use their old M42 screw mount lenses... It seems to be quite expensive for such a manual/mechanical camera, but I never had the opportunity to hold one of them in my hands, so... Looking at the pictures on the website, I noticed some similarities between this camera (at least the black one) and my own Vivitar k-mount SLRs. Given all those cameras are Cosina-made stuff, I'm wondering if the Bessaflex TM deserves its price (Vivitars are cheap with a standard lens). Has anyone here already made such a comparison ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandeha Lynch Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I'm not sure that it is expensive, but that's relative of course. You can compare it with the cheapest on the market, but you could also compare it with the best or most expensive and value it quite differently. Here's my take on it ... <p> <a href="http://www.nelsonfoto.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1111&highlight=bessaflex">Bessaflex TM</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry thirsty Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 It seems odd to me that the silver and black versions shown on Cameraquest appear to have different prism types (or at least housings). Were there a couple different generations of the TM? It's only been in production for two years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandeha Lynch Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Just two different housings adding variety to the color scheme. The pointy bit looks a bit vulnerable to my eye, but perhaps they wear just as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titrisol Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I would certainly pay for one, if I had those $300! The silver one is made after the TOPCONS, and the prism has a different shape than the black one. So if you have some large diameter lenses the black onw would do best. I dunno if the prism is brighter in the silver one though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roland_nicolas Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 Thanks for all your answers. For sure, Pablo ! I'd like to have this cash amount for it ! It seems to be a good tool ! Nevertheless, given the kind of technology, I'd rather give half the price with the Vivitar name on the body ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astral Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I use a Pentax MX with adapter, or even an SF7 which gives focus confirmation and "motor wind". The Bessamatic is funky, and desirable in a sorta Woodstock flower-power way, but somewhat overpriced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew robertson Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 "but somewhat overpriced." The only other camera on the market that comes close is the FM3A, which seems to be a bit more expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roland_nicolas Posted February 17, 2006 Author Share Posted February 17, 2006 Andrew - I don't think the FM3A is a fully "manual" camera and isn't battery dependant for more than metering purposes (But I'm no expert in Nikon gear) and it's not P-K or M42 gear, so, it's something else !... My question was, in other words : "Is Bessaflex TM better quality than affordable Vivitar K-mount bodies ?". They're so pretty similar... Maybe somebody who uses one would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincenzo_maielli Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 Why buy a Bessaflex TM when i can buy a Spotmatic SP II, for less money? Because the finder is more brilliant, the best ever made in a 42x1 screw camera. Because the SPD cell is more sensitive, reliable and accurate than CDS cell. Because the LEDs are more resistent than old galvanometer. Because the Bessaflex shutter are best in therms of precision, than the shutter of the Spotmatic II. Best regards. Vincenzo Maielli Bari Italy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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