Difference between revisions of "Bessa (folders)"

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(Bessa: Commented out missing pictures (user no longer at Flicker; check & delete after end 2016); replaced from pool)
(Reworded some text. Deleted a couple of sentences (explanation of frame finder etc; not specific to this camera; belongs in Viewfinder))
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The '''Bessa folders''' were part of a range of Bessa cameras produced in Germany by [[Voigtländer]] over a long period. [[Voigtländer]] is rather famous for re-using and recycling trademarks and camera names. For instance there are various "Bessa" models out there that are in no way similar to the pre-war Bessa. It is therefore more difficult to gather proper information about particular models in the Bessa line. This article will feature as much reliable information about the "pre-war" models as possible.
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The '''Bessa folders''' were part of a range of Bessa cameras produced in Germany by [[Voigtländer]] over a long period. [[Voigtländer]] is rather famous for re-using and recycling trademarks and camera names. For instance there are various "Bessa" models out there that are in no way similar to the pre-war Bessa.
  
 
=='''Bessa '''==
 
=='''Bessa '''==
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The Bessa was the first production model of the Bessa line. Produced between 1929-1956 by [[Voigtländer]], the Bessa is a medium format folder that uses 120 Film to produce 6×9 photographs. It is the best known and the most sold of all the Voigtlander cameras, with estimations as high as 575,000 cameras made. It was the first self-erecting camera offered by [[Voigtländer]]. The Bessa was produced with four different lens types: Voigtar, Vaskar, Skopar, and the Color Skopar. Also there were three shutter leaf options: Prontor, Compur, Compur Rapid. Identifying which options are present in the camera is usually done by inspecting the inner lens ring, and the outer lens ring, or by year of production. One of the revolutionary features of the Bessa was a self-timer which allowed for timed and self photography.
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The Bessa was the first production model of the Bessa line. Produced between 1929-1956 by [[Voigtländer]], the Bessa is a medium format folder that uses 120 Film to produce 6×9cm photographs. It is the best known and the most sold of all the Voigtlander cameras, with estimations as high as 575,000 cameras made. It was the first self-erecting camera offered by [[Voigtländer]]. The Bessa was produced with four different lens types: Voigtar, Vaskar, Skopar, and the Color Skopar. Also there were three shutter options: Prontor, Compur, and Compur Rapid. Identifying which options are present in the camera is usually done by inspecting the inner lens ring, and the outer lens ring, or by year of production.  
  
  
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Bessa's produced after 1930 featured two ways to frame your photograph. First there was the "Eye level sports finder" located in the top of the camera under a metal hood. You would simply open the spring loaded hood to reviel two square brackets, the front bracket usually housed a glass lens that would assist in determining the actual viewing angle of the lens. Although some models did not feature this glass aid the process for framing your image through the sports finder was the same. Alight both square brackets and press the shutter release. The second framing option offered on Bessa's produced after 1930 is the "Brilliant Finder". Operated in much the same manor as a [[TLR]] viewfinder, the Brilliant Finder offered greater accuracy which eased composition.
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There is an eye level sports finder located in the top of the camera (the top when held horizontally), folded under a metal hood in some models. In some models, the front frame of the finder has a negative lens. Bessa's produced after 1930 also have a [[brilliant finder]].  
  
Optional Equipment
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[[Voigtländer]] offered a few accessories or optional equipment for the Bessa line. A simple cable release, brilliant-finder magnifier and a "Alpha" Yellow filter.
[[Voigtländer]] offered a few accessories or optional equipment for the Bessa line. A simplistic cable release, Brilliant Finder magnifier and a lens filters "Alpha" Yellow.
 
  
 
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Revision as of 22:26, 3 October 2016

The Bessa folders were part of a range of Bessa cameras produced in Germany by Voigtländer over a long period. Voigtländer is rather famous for re-using and recycling trademarks and camera names. For instance there are various "Bessa" models out there that are in no way similar to the pre-war Bessa.

Bessa

The Bessa was the first production model of the Bessa line. Produced between 1929-1956 by Voigtländer, the Bessa is a medium format folder that uses 120 Film to produce 6×9cm photographs. It is the best known and the most sold of all the Voigtlander cameras, with estimations as high as 575,000 cameras made. It was the first self-erecting camera offered by Voigtländer. The Bessa was produced with four different lens types: Voigtar, Vaskar, Skopar, and the Color Skopar. Also there were three shutter options: Prontor, Compur, and Compur Rapid. Identifying which options are present in the camera is usually done by inspecting the inner lens ring, and the outer lens ring, or by year of production.


Bessa Production variations by year


  • 1929-1949. Self-erecting rollfilm camera. Similar to the "Rollfilm". There were many sizes and modifications. All models are priced about the same.
  • 1929: 6x9, brilliant finder;
  • 1930: 6x9 and 6.5x11, brilliant and folding finders;
  • 1932: 3.4x5.5 and 6x9, lens on rails, replacement to "Inos";
  • 1935: 4.5x6 and 6x9, shutter release on door;
  • 1937: 4.5x6 and 6x9, finder with cover;
  • 1945: same as 1937, some models had sync;
  • 1949: similar to 1937, better shutters.


There is an eye level sports finder located in the top of the camera (the top when held horizontally), folded under a metal hood in some models. In some models, the front frame of the finder has a negative lens. Bessa's produced after 1930 also have a brilliant finder.

Voigtländer offered a few accessories or optional equipment for the Bessa line. A simple cable release, brilliant-finder magnifier and a "Alpha" Yellow filter.


Bessa I

The Bessa I was manufactured from 1951 up until 1956 (about 80.000 units) and is a well made camera that uses 120 film and can give either 6x4.5(with insert) or 6x9 size negatives. The Bessa I has a simple finder that lacks a built-in rangefinder, however is possible to use a small external rangefinder that mounts in the shoe on the top which in practice is pretty easy to use- you just transfer the distance to the lens.

  • Shutter/Lens Combinations:
  • Filter size : Push-on 37mm
  • Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder.With 4 different masks, two formats (6x9 and 4.5x6) and two parallax corrections (1meter, close-up) separate for each format
  • Dimensions (folded) : 168 x 98 x 48 mm
  • Weight : 770 Grams



Bessa II

This is the most renowned of the cameras with the "Bessa" name. Self folding camera with a coupled rangefinder. 34,500 Bessa II's made from 1950 to 1956. The Bessas II were fitted with a Color-Skopar 3.5/10.5 cm, or a Color-Heliar 3.5/10.,5 cm or from 1954, the rare and sought-after Apo-Lanthar 4.5/10.5 cm. The Compur-Rapid shutter fitted on the earlier models was replaced by the Synchro-Compur shutter from 1951. The accessory shoe appears only from 1954.


Bessa RF (1936-1951)

The Bessa RF camera had a very long life and is the predecessor of the Bessa II. An improved version of the Bessa 1935 model but with a coupled rangfinder. All models have a 1/400 Compur-Rapid shutter but can be fitted with four different lenses :

  • Skopar 3.5/10.5 cm
  • Heliar 3.5/10.5 cm
  • Helomar 3.5/10.5 cm
  • Color-Heliar 3.5/10.5 cm

As several Bessa's it uses 6x9 and 4.5x6 exposures on 120 film and shutter release on front door. 60,000 Bessa RF were made.


Bibliography

  • Claus Prochnow, Voigtländer Report 3, First edition, Braunschweich (D), Lindemanns Verlag, 2007, ISBN 978-3-89506-274-2.


Links

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