Voigtlander Rangefinder Cameras Are No More

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http://petapixel.com/2015/10/01/voigtlander-rangefinder-cameras-are-no-more/

Sad news in the world of film photography: on Monday, the Japanese camera and lens company Cosina announced that it is discontinuing the Voigtlander Bessa 35mm rangefinder camera and a host of accessories and lenses for them. The Bessa R2M, Bessa R3M, and Bessa R4M are no more.

Here’s the full list of discontinued products that was announced this week:

SUPER WIDE-HELIAR 15mm F4.5 Asp II
BESSA R2-M
BESSA R3-M
BESSA R4-M
Camera Case VC-5
CARRYING STRAP(BK)
SIDE GRIP
VM Micro Four Thirds Adapter
F Micro Four Thirds Adapter
SC E-mount Adapter
15mm View Finder
21/25mm View Finder
21/25mm View Finder M Silver
28mm View Finder M Silver
28mm View Finder M Black
35mm View Finder M Silver
35mm View Finder M Black
40mm View Finder
LH-1
LH-2
LH-20N
LH-28N
LH-40N
 
That is very sad. The only camera that I have sold and thoroughly regret selling was an R3a and Nokton 40mm, a stunning little camera.
 
Andysnap said:
That is very sad. The only camera that I have sold and thoroughly regret selling was an R3a and Nokton 40mm, a stunning little camera.
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Still can't believe you sold the Ra Andy, I can bring mine up to the lakes if that would be helpful :whistle:
 
Yes that would be very helpful Nick..... NOT.:bat::D
 
Perhaps I should bring mine, which is actually for sale... :)
 
Sad news
 
Im gutted about this
I've just bought a r4a which was unfortunately faulty but was thinking of getting an r4m with the refund money.
I'm not so sure now, two years down the line if anything goes wrong is anybody going to be able to fix it??
Anybody selling a mint m6?
 
allicio said:
Im gutted about this
I've just bought a r4a which was unfortunately faulty but was thinking of getting an r4m with the refund money.
I'm not so sure now, two years down the line if anything goes wrong is anybody going to be able to fix it??
Anybody selling a mint m6?
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You can still buy them new from Ffordes and others, I think. And yes, they'll be able to be fixed for quite a few years, particularly the Rxm as AFAIK they are mechanical apart from the light meter.
 
allicio said:
Im gutted about this
I've just bought a r4a which was unfortunately faulty but was thinking of getting an r4m with the refund money.
I'm not so sure now, two years down the line if anything goes wrong is anybody going to be able to fix it??
Anybody selling a mint m6?
Click to expand...
There shouldn't be too much trouble getting them fixed, theres still a lot of talented and knowledgable camera technicians out there, Miles Whitehead works on everything from them modern all-singing, all-dancing' newfangled digital things to cameras from the beginning of time itself.
 
I was mainly thinking in terms of parts availability I suppose
Do the rxm cameras have a full mechanical shutter or is it electronic with just a couple of speeds available if the batteries die?
 
Not surprising as unlike digi (must have latest tech) there is no incentive to get a new film camera esp as they are so cheap S/H.......also unlike digi a 30 year plus film camera will give the same quality shots as a new one (well assuming it's working ok).
 
allicio said:
I was mainly thinking in terms of parts availability I suppose
Do the rxm cameras have a full mechanical shutter or is it electronic with just a couple of speeds available if the batteries die?
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I don't think there's any reason to expect that parts would be less available than for, say a Leica M3 or a Pentax MX. It's not something you're likely to need to worry about for a while. Miles told me that there is trouble sourcing the stand-off spring for my Pentax ME, but I bought that new in 1976 or so, and I could probably pick up a "spares or repair" copy for parts, for a tenner.

According to Steve Gandy's page:

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.
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excalibur2 said:
Not surprising as unlike digi (must have latest tech) there is no incentive to get a new film camera esp as they are so cheap S/H.......also unlike digi a 30 year plus film camera will give the same quality shots as a new one (well assuming it's working ok).
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nothing wrong with older digital cameras - mine is 9 years old and still takes just as good photos as it did from new
 
boliston said:
nothing wrong with older digital cameras - mine is 9 years old and still takes just as good photos as it did from new
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I'm sure that's the case but what about 30 or 40 or a 100 years from now? I have a Voigtlander Baby Bessa that's 80+ years old and that takes just as good a photo as it it did from new as well but I'm fairly sure my Fuji X-T1 won't be doing that in 2095. :)
 
Andysnap said:
I'm sure that's the case but what about 30 or 40 or a 100 years from now? I have a Voigtlander Baby Bessa that's 80+ years old and that takes just as good a photo as it it did from new as well. :)
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if anything a film camera has more moving parts to go wrong - most people dump their perfectly good old digi cameras because they are sucked in by the lure of "features" rather than anything that will improve their photography
 
I seem to remember that even Leica's older digitals no longer have parts available if your screen goes or the sensor dies.
 
boliston said:
if anything a film camera has more moving parts to go wrong - most people dump their perfectly good old digi cameras because they are sucked in by the lure of "features" rather than anything that will improve their photography
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Correct. It just seems that everything nowadays comes with a built-in obsolescence whereas in the 'good old days' things were built to last. But I suppose you get what you pay for and an expensive well-built digital camera should be expected to last a lot longer than its owners resolve not to buy the next new thing. :)
 
abdoujaparov said:
I seem to remember that even Leica's older digitals no longer have parts available if your screen goes or the sensor dies.
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Yes, the only "spares or repair" digital Leicas you're likely to come across will likely already have a duff sensor... but we digress!
 
boliston said:
if anything a film camera has more moving parts to go wrong - most people dump their perfectly good old digi cameras because they are sucked in by the lure of "features" rather than anything that will improve their photography
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There are plenty of film cameras worth avoiding, but with some exceptions the more advanced cameras with electronic bits are more likely to go wrong in a way that "bricks" them, than their earlier all-mechanical counterparts... or the Bessa Rxm mechanical cameras!
 
Yep! There's a brick currently on its way back over the Atlantic!
 
boliston said:
nothing wrong with older digital cameras - mine is 9 years old and still takes just as good photos as it did from new
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nine years :D most of us filmies are using camera from 25-60 years old.
 
excalibur2 said:
nine years :D most of us filmies are using camera from 25-60 years old.
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That was my plan, I was hoping to buy new and have and use the camera for quite a few years. The r4m could be perhaps the way to go
 
excalibur2 said:
nine years :D most of us filmies are using camera from 25-60 years old.
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But we have the advantage of being able to change the "sensor" every 36 shots :)

I've had my D70 for over 10 years and my x-pro1 kicks it into touch for quality, use in low-light and functionality. I don't often need to take pictures at anything above ISO6400 so I don't see myself changing it for any reason other than the ancient Japanese philosophy of wantshinything.
 
the issue with electrical stuff is figuring out whats wrong and replacing the part, while simplier mechicnalical cameras are more easy, and you could make/hack stuff to get them to work again
 
Andysnap said:
I have a Voigtlander Baby Bessa that's 80+ years old and that takes just as good a photo as it it did from new :)
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Is that the one you got new for your 12th birthday Andy? :exit:
 
Personally I can't really get along with rangefinders in general, but that is a real shame for those who can and for film in general.
 
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