Week 24 – The Voigtlander Bessamatic
Well I don't know where to start! A bit of a funny week that really kept
me on my toes. I will try to keep it short but it won't be easy. I arrived at
Russells to see what was in store and he pulled out this little package – A
Voightlander Bessamatic c1959, a 35mm SLR with a F2.8 colour Skopar X 50mm lens
attached. With it also - a Skoperex f3.5 35mm wide, a Super-dynarex f4 135mm
prime, a set of Voigtlander filters and a hood – a great kit! At 2lbs in weight
it is heavy and built like a tank, but a tank with finesse! Really superb build
quality all round. I would advise looking at many review sites as the
complicated mechanical workings that make this one of the most enjoyable
cameras I have used would take far too long to go into here but quickly - You
have to advance and cock shutter to view through the big bright viewer, you
focus via a fairly standard split prism. First dial in using shutter ring on
the front a desired speed, then on the right side of viewer are 2 needles >
turn large knob top left until they align. The interlocked shutter aperture
mechanism has now given you a pair of suitable settings that by turning the
shutter ring can be changed for any preference retaining the same EV value!
Pretty cool eh! Thats not all, at the same time two further pointers on the
lenses open or close synced with it showing the D of F your settings will give
you! You want to use an external meter? Easy, just set the shutter speed FIRST
then turn the meter knob until the aperture you want lines up…easy as, it
really is.
Roll 1 – I fancied some fun so went for a slide colour film, an expired
Provia 100f that I would cross process as c41. It is a straight forward load –
I decided to run this one on the cameras meter then go spot meter on the second
roll. I had to hump the block of iron in my hand as there was nowhere to attach
a strap and no case, I think Russell will be getting one. It really was simple
and enjoyable to use, the advance lever in the standard top right corner purrs
on the out and in stroke, you find yourself deliberately doing it slowly just
to listen. When it comes time to press the shutter button there is a lovely
metallic swish that is gorgeous. If you recorded it and played it backwards I
swear it must whisper “buy me”! I quickly ripped through the roll and had it in
fresh developer ASAP. I looked at the negs and was worried – looked at scans
and was horrified! They were massively over exposed, I checked the meter
against many of my own and it was fine, I did every possible check to camera
and it seemed sweet. There must have been a reaction during processing which
can happen. I have included some images – some untouched so you can see, others
heavily adjusted or BW conversions just to have something – My apologies!
Roll 2 – I decided to run a second, FP4 B&W. I mixed up the metering
with on and off camera, I wedged it into half a case and went about it all over
again. Having a strap is even better, you just look down and everything is
there for you the see and adjust. I had a great afternoon shooting, it begs you
to use it. Back to process and a massive
relief all was good, very good I thought.
I loved this camera, it is super easy to use whichever way you meter, you lose some shadow detail with the on-board but it is good enough. It sounds and feels superb like a fine time piece. Lenses switch out easily and are very sharp. Ah, I forgot the filters. There is a nifty scale by the meter knob matched to their values, and you simply turn the meter knob and line up the markers to the clearly marked values. ANYONE could use this fully manual camera and get good results while experienced folk can delve as deep as they want. The one down side is all those trick mechanisms will be costly to repair and service. If you ever see one on a shelf and pick it up, I doubt you will want to put it down. I made a bold claim to Russell – I would trade ALL my 35mm cameras for this one and I stand by it. Hope you enjoy the FP4s and the Provia gives you a giggle.
