The Fellsphoto Vintage 35mm Gallery                 

Voigtländer Bessamatic Deluxe (1962-66) with 50mm f2 Septon lens and Synchro-Compur-X shutter

Bessamatic Deluxe with f2 Septon lens - viewed head on

July '63 price £299.50 equivalent to $2028.05 in 2007 purchasing power (=£1000.84)

 

the seven element 50mm f2 Septon lens

 

Photographs taken with this camera on Fuji Astia 100 film:

(my apologies for any broken links, etc. This portfolio will be re-built a.s.a.p. with larger enlargements as seen with 135mm example)

 

Haweswater from the summit of Harter Fell the top of Grains Gill with view down Borrowdale to Derwent Water and Skiddaw   The Langdale Pikes from Allen Crags
teazels by stubble field Teazel Viburnum Opulus (the European cranberry bush) Fen wheatfield

 

 
New Forest ~ trees and heather Gael Hydrangea Annabelle  New Forest heather bank

 

Voigtländer Bessamatic Deluxe fitted with f3.4 35mm Skoparex lens:

Bessamatic Deluxe fitted with 35mm Skoparex lens          Bessamatic Deluxe fitted with 35mm Skoparex lens viewed head on

 

35mm f3.4 Skoparex lens ~ the 4-element Skopar enhanced to 5-elements

1960 price $79.50 (value $556.51 / £274.58 in 2007)

 

The Langdale Pikes from Allen Crags The Langdale Pikes from Allen Crags   The Langdale Pikes from Allen Crags
New Forest watering hole wild flowers at a field edge  New Forest glade at sundown

         

 

 

Voigtländer Bessamatic Deluxe fitted with f4 135mm Dynarex lens:

Bessamatic Deluxe fitted with 135mm Dynarex lens

Super-Dynarex f4 135mm lens:  1960 lens price: $79.50 (CPI value $576./ £375 in 2009)

 

thumbnail: Gael & Cassie standing on top of haybale

 

 

 

 Weight of Bessamatic Deluxe with Septon lens: 1030g.

Weight of OM1 with f1.8 lens (launched in 1975): 670g

It has to be said: a very heavy camera. A two handed hold required. Excellent for camera stability, but not so good for carrying around. Which is the principal reason why I've used it so little. To carry this, say, when out on a dog walk, much less up a mountain, is not an inviting prospect!
 
 

 

related links:

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Bessamatic  (basic description)

http://www.retrography.com/bessamatic.htm  (full informative description)

http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Bessa_RF_histo.html  (full and comprehensive lens data)

http://www.lungov.com/wagner/c/031c.html

http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/voigt8.htm

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