Long Nikon Rangefinder Lenses to Bronica Adapter

Nikon's first 35mm cameras were rangefinders, introduced in 1946. The Nikon SLR did not come along until the Nikon F of 1959. The long rangefinder lenses (longer than 135) were used with the Nikon Reflex housing attached to the rangefinder body. It was a device similar to the Leica Visoflex and converted the rangefinder into a primitive SLR to use the long Nikkors: the 180/2.5, 250/4, 350/4.5, 500/5 and 1000/6.3.
ANYWAY, these long Nikkors had a comparatively short mount to allow for all the space of the Reflex Housing. Starting in 1958 Nikon produced the lenses for the Bronica, Japan's first 2 1/4 system SLR. Someone had the bright idea to make an adapter to allow the long Nikkors to be used on the early Bronicas. Son of a Gun, eh Son of Nippon Kogaku, it worked! Oddly enough, the longer than 135 Rangefinder Nikkors covered 6x6!! Of course they also had the idea of making the same lenses in original Bronica mounts! Holy Sweden, an instant pro system!

With the rare adapter pictured above, you can mount the Reflex Housing Nikkors on your Bronica. But don't rush out looking for the adapter, thinking you will get some cheap Bronica lenses. The adapter is very hard to find, and the Nikkors in Rangefinder mount are MUCH more expensive than the same in Bronica mount. oh well.
Alas, there is another catch as well. According to Bronica literature, these little beauties only work properly on the earliest Bronica's: the Z, D and S.

Revised: November 26, 2003 . Copyright ฉ 1998-2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

135/4 523 Series Nikon Rangefinder Lens

almost unknown variation
Any 135/4 Nikon Rangefinder lens is very difficult to find. They were made only for the Nikon One and Nikon M, and then replaced with the much more numerous 135/3.5. The 523 serial block variation is all but unknown because it was not included in Robert Rotoloni's landmark book on Nikon Rangfinders. Above it is shown with its leather case, custom hood, and Bakelite front and back lens caps.

Apparently the last 135/4 version, the 523 series seems to have a better quality of fit and finish than the earlier 135/4 versions. It has no aperture click stops, and has "Made In Occupied Japan" on the focusing cam.

Revised: November 26, 2003 . Copyright ฉ 1998-2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

Nikon S3 Olympic

Nikon made a last series of S3 cameras for the 1963 Olympics, all in black. They came with a new improved version of the 50/1.4 which came to be known as the "Olympic 50/1.4". You can easily spot it because it is about 50% larger than the normal 1.4. Unfortunately over the years, the body and the Olympic lens are often separated.
The S3 was a modified SP with a simplified finder system. They are actually built on the same camera chassis. The S3 has non parallax corrected etched framelines for the 35, 50, and 105. All framelines are visible at the same time. Like the SP, the S3 could take the Nikon Motordrive. Later S3's also have titanium shutter curtains, just like the SP's. The S3 could also take the SP exposure meter and EV case. The wear of the years has shown S3 finders much more prone to flare than the SP or the earlier S2.

Revised: November 26, 2003 . Copyright ฉ 1998-2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

1904 Ernemann Klapp Tropical

Tropical cameras were made for the wet muggy weather of the Tropics where conventional leather covered cameras would mildew. They are heavily prized today for their beautiful wood and workmanship.
This is 1904 Ernemann Tropical Klapp camera is 10x15 cm format. It is very ingeniously designed to collapse into a tidy traveling size. It's focal plane shutter has a marked high speed of 1/2500th -- though I doubt if it obtains it. Lens is a 165/4.5 Zeiss Tessar in helical focusing mount. Lens movement is limited to a rising front. The amazing folding leather focusing hood would make even modern cameras proud. It was made in Dresden, a major pre-war German photographic center.



The camera front in closed position. The "Ernemann" nametag and cabinet work on the top.



The shutter speed focal plane shutter assembly. Top of the camera in collapsed position. Note finder.



Camera top, viewfinder and bellows in taking position. Note bellows struts.




Lens in close focus position showing helical, in rise position. Camera back in closed position.



Ingenious leather focusing hood in partially open, and fully open position.

Revised: November 25, 2003 . Copyright ฉ 1998-2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

Leica M6 TTL Green Millenium

After Leica announced their black paint M6 Millenium, a special order was placed by a Hong Kong dealer for their own version of the Millenium with a .85 finder. Of course, I do the same thing all the time, in my dreams. I think the greens turned out more attractive than the black paint version. By the way, this camera is usually called the "M6 Safari" or simply "Green M6." Though not officially known as the "Green M6 Millenium," that is exactly what it is.

Only 300 were made, compared to 2000 of the black paint Millenium. Besides the usual serial number, this accessory also proclaims "172-300" -- or the 172nd of 300. Notice the M3 style rewind and advance lever. Oddly the green Millenium is MUCH better finished than the black paint Milleniums' I have seen.
Why? easy. The idea of a black paint M6 started out as the black paint LHSA M6. Once Leica realized those LHSA guys really had an idea that would sell, the black paint Millenium was born and introduced before the black paint LHSA.
I digress. Before the black paint Millenium, it had been DECADES since Leica produced paint finish Ms. Leica had a lot of problems getting the paint finish right, problems which you can see in many black paint Milleniums'. The paint is often too thin, with machining marks showing underneath the paint. With lots more practice, Leica got it right on the green M6. The paint is beautifully done, much better than their black paint cousins.


Revised: November 25, 2003 . Copyright © 2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

Leica IIIf Red Dial Self Timer

If you really know your way around cameras, it's proof of a mis-spent youth.....eh I mean you start to develop a sense of photographic style not only in images, but in cameras. This can work in a lot of different ways. At its worse and most distorted, you see the over-spent and under-artistic photog who has to have the latest and best First Flex to outdo fellow photogs (at least in their own mind). At its best, you find photogs who put together a system of cameras to suit not only the pics they want to shoot, but also the style they want to shoot them in.
Does the type of camera you carry really say anything about you? Yes, and No, and Sometimes, and Maybe. A lot depends upon how the photographer sees it. Wow, what a metaphysical statement, I really must be on a roll here.
The camera as a style statement? Yes.
A bottom of the line Nikon or Leica or Contax, might mean that you are on a budget, but at least you have good taste. A top of the line Nikon or Leica or Contax shows you are fairly serious about photography. A Canon shows you liked Nikon, but made the wrong choice (just kidding Canon fans, any of these comparisons are arbitrary fill in the blanks). A cheap schlock camera shows you don't know -- you know what -- about photography, and that you don't care much about it either. The message here is that different cameras send different messages about the photographer to the viewer, whatever those message are, and whoever the viewer is. A lot of photogs choose to control that message, or at least try to.

All this photography philosophy stuff aside, are there are cameras that somehow send the best messages, combining Style, Art, Function, Beauty and Timeless Class?? Well, yes.
One of the cameras that really stands out to make that all time photographic statement about the photographer is the immortal Leica IIIf Red Dial Self Timer of 1954-7, with collapsible 50/3.5 Elmar. The reason?
Incredible beauty.

The Leica IIIf RD ST scores points in several areas. First of all, and perhaps most importantly, it has a unique LOOK. It has lots of little dials and knurled edges, of beautiful chrome and craftsmanship, emphatically NOT the stuff of modern plastic cameras. If Leica management was smart enough, they would update this camera with TTL metering and easier loading while keeping its looks THE SAME. No, I don't mean cheapened and similar look, I mean the SAME. All they would succeed in doing is producing a much needed best seller. Leica, are you listening?



Do you remember the various "retro" cameras like the Olympus O product? Essentially they were trying a new road to the IIIf RD ST. Compared to the original, it didn't begin to measure up. Now some might ask, why do you rate the IIIf RD ST over the more feature laden IIIg? Style, this discussion is about style. The IIIg's larger front viewfinder window and front top plate aren't as aesthetically pleasing to me.


These pics show the Elmar lens collapsed. Pull the lens barrel out and lock it into extended position for shooting. Look at the top plate engraving, a thing of beauty long missing from modern Leicas.
Am I serious about this Art stuff or am I just baiting the reader?
Well, Yes.
Art is beauty, and cameras like the IIIf RD ST are an Art Form. While Art is in the eye of the beholder, it can also be on the arm of the holder.

Revised: November 25, 2003 . Copyright ฉ 1998-2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

Voigtlander System Overview

The Voigtlander Bessa Screw and M Mount System has SIX bodies, along with the 12/5.6, 15/4.5, 25/4, 28/3.5, 28/1.9, 35/2.5C, 35/2.5 P, 35/2.5 PII, 35/1.7, 35/1.2, 40/1.4, 50/3.5, 50/2.5 50/1.5,75/2.5, 90/3.5 lenses. Which are missing from this photo ?
After 30 years of stagnation in 35mm Rangefinder design, when Leica was the ONLY real choice, Cosina started introducing their new lineup of Voigtlander Leica Screw cameras and lenses in January 1999. At first, nobody seemed to take the new kid on the block seriously. After all, Leica screw mount was a dead system which nobody would buy, and Cosina was foolish to even attempt such a thing. Then reports started coming in of the stunning performance of the 15. The new Voigtlander line has been building up momentum ever since then, adding more lenses, accessories, and even a new quality rangefinder camera. In retrospect, Cosina's efforts and success are no less than astonishing. Conventional wisdom is that there was NO way to produce lenses and cameras approaching Leica quality at a fraction of the price. Conventional wisdom has been proved wrong.
Interestingly from a classic camera perspective, the new Voigtlanders owe their heritage to a combination of the first two 35mm camera systems: Leica and Contax. While the new Voigtlander mounts are either Leica screw mount or Leica M, and the Voigtlander rangefinder and finders owe much to Leica designs, the shutters are vertically moving metal shutters -- an idea introduced in the Contax I of 1932.
In March 2001 Cosina Voigtlander upset the rangefinder status quo even more by introducing their first Leica M mount camera, the unusually designed retro style Bessa T, amazingly the most inexpensive M mount rangefinder ever sold.
In late February 2002 Cosina Voigtlander introduced the Bessa R2, an upgrade of the original Bessa with M mount, all metal top and bottom plates, and chrome top plate fittings, with the T rapidwinder capability added, along with a standard production 50/2.5 Color Skopar.
In September 2004 Cosina Voigtlander introduced the Bessa R2A and R3A, aperture priority AE rangefinders in Leica M mount. The R3A is the first ever M film camera with a 1:1 life size finder.
One of the most amazing aspects is Voigtlander's amazing innovation and variety within a very short time. So far we have two TTL Leica screw mount bodies, the L and the rangefinder coupled R, eight lenses announced or in production, as well as many unique rangefinder accessories the likes of which have never been seen before. This is very very surprising. Not since the introduction of the Leica M system have so many truly new rangefinder products been introduced in such a very short time. My hat is off to the mind behind it all, Cosina's CEO, Mr. Kobayashi -- a long time Leica enthusiast. All of this innovation brings up the obvious question: what new products await in Voigtlander's future?
While the Yasuhara T981 was the first new Japanese TTL Leica screw mount camera to be announced, the Cosina / Voigtlander L was the first to make it to the marketplace, achieving an impressive list of firsts:
First TTL (thru the lens metering) Leica Screw Mount camera
First Leica screw mount camera (either Screw Mount or M) to have 1/2000th top speed & 1/125th flash sync
First Leica screw mount camera (either Screw Mount or M) to have a metal vertically traveling shutter (rather than cloth curtains) -- the reliable and dependable Japanese made Copal.
First Leica Screw Mount camera to have LED metering readout
First Leica Screw Mount camera to have a see thru window film reminder
First Leica Screw Mount camera to be made in Japan since the Canon 7sZ was discontinued in 1972
The widest lens (15mm) ever made in Leica Screw Mount
The 12/5.6 arriving later in the year will be the widest regular production rectilinear lens ever made for full frame 35mm cameras!
The new Bessa R is the first Leica Screw Mount camera, as well as the first Japanese made 35 rangefinder, to have a rangefinder / viewfinder as bright as the Leica M series. This is no small accomplishment -- it only took 47 years to happen ! Discounting the limited production Yasuhara, the Bessa R is also the first production Leica Screw Mount camera with TTL metering.
"Old" German Voigtlander Vs "New" Japanese Voigtlander: The new Cosina made Voigtlanders have nothing to do with the old German Voigtlanders, other than the name. The original German Voigtlander company, founded in 1756, was bought out and disemboweled by Zeiss in the late 1970's. Not long after, Zeiss stopped its own camera production, unable to compete economically with the Japanese (or was it just Karma's revenge for Voigtlander?). I am not sure how, but rights to the trademarked Voigtlander name eventually escaped Zeiss, to Ringfoto in Germany. Cosina (a Japanese manufacturer), successfully arranged to use the time honored Voigtlander name on their new series of Leica screw mount cameras and lenses.
Cosina's use of the Voigtlander name offended some longtime fans of the long deceased German firm. Disparaging words were more than a few, from some shortsighted "true" Voigtlander diehards. In answer to their cries of Cosina insults, I say "Nonsense." Whatever admiration the old Voigtlander firm deserves, they didn't survive. Dead companies don't make cameras.
While the new "Voigtlander" is hardly the same company as the "old" Voigtlander, the same is certainly true of today's Leica and Rollei companies, after each has been sold and resold a number of times. As far as I am concerned, Cosina is honoring the old German company by keeping its name alive with a new, innovative, quality lineup of cameras and lenses. Ironically, the old Voigtlander firm would have considered itself very fortunate to dominate a segment of 35mm market the way the new Voigtlander does today.
Cosina is to be congratulated for the system's innovative camera and lens designs, and for reintroducing the venerable and honored name of Voigtlander once again to the ranks of production cameras.
On the other hand, if you have not figured it out yet, Cosina is eating Leica's lunch.
The new Voigtlander cameras and lenses should have and could have been made by Leica...thereby opening up their long neglected introductory level rangefinder market as well as introducing a new lower priced series of excellent lenses. Not everyone wants to pay $2000 plus for their new 21/2.8 lens, even if it is Aspherical.
Hopefully the sleeping Leica bear won't keep hibernating. It's been decades since Leica has had competitors (plural) to the M. Between the Autofocus Contax G1/G2 and the new Japanese Leica Screw Mount and M cameras, perhaps now Leica will once again start showing the innovation which led it to leadership in the Rangefinder world. Competition is good for the product, and great for the photogs!!
Interview with the President of Cosina, Mr. Kobayashi in January 1999
Mr. Kobayashi is the guiding light of the Voigtlander LTM camera line, himself a long time Leica enthusiastic with 40 years of photography experience. As interviewed in a Japanese magazine, he created the 15 Heliar because as a young photographer he was unable to afford the even then substantial price of the 16mm M Hologon. My thanks to our mutual friend Michi for helping make this interview possible.
"Our desire is to call back/revive the times when a camera was just a camera and lenses were just lenses (not the mere photographing tools like cameras/lenses today) and when people have the joy of having and operating a camera. Accordingly, in reviving the cameras of such times, we intend to add the latest technology there and in particular offer lenses with the highest performance."
Q. How did you come to produce Leica L mount camera/lens?
A. "For the L mount which LEITZ started in 1930, many camera makers and lens makers the world over, including Japan, adopted it till the Canon 7s in the 1960s. Thereafter, this mount has been discontinued for about 30 years, however, finding out the second-hand L mount camera lenses produced in the past, many users enjoy the nostalgic design and compactness which modern cameras do not have. On the other hand, since the main subject of our Voigtlander camera plan is a focal plain shutter camera allowing lens exchanges, with no doubt, we have chosen the L mount as one that meets the conditions; the body can mount as many lenses of other make as possible; the lens can be mounted to as many bodies of other make as possible; and both the body and lens are compact."
Q. How long did it take to produce?
A. "About one year.(Since the original form is our SLR body, it took only a short time, relatively.)"
Q. What designs were considered but not used?
A. "Idea to display over/under/correct exposure in the viewfinder."
.Q. How did Cosina you acquire the Voigtlander name?
A. "Although we can not disclose details because of the contract, the company holding the Voigtlander brand is Ringfoto Germany. We have business contact with the company for over 20 years."
Q. What is your design aim?
A. "Since the users of this series require high performance, we make efforts to exert the maximum of our current technology."
Q. Why did you choose the 75 mm instead of the 90mm for your telephoto?
A. " The rangefinder camera displays performance far beyond SLR with wide and standard-angle lenses. However, we think that the rangefinder camera is suitable for lenses up to 75mm, and for lenses of 90~135mm or more, SLR has more advantages."
Q. Will you produce a M mount camera and lenses?
A. "At present we do not have any such plan."
Note: 11/99 Rumors are these plans may have changed. Some say the new Voigtlander Rangefinder camera will be in M mount. 3/01 Cosina introduced the M mount Bessa T. What's next ?

Revised: February 23, 2005 . Copyright ฉ 1998-2005 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

40/1.4 Nokton MC Version

The new Voigtlander 40/1.4 is the fastest 40mm lens ever made for full frame 35mm photography, by any camera manufacturer. Available initially only in black Leica M mount, it is rangefinder coupled, 43mm filter size, 7 elements in 6 groups, with a close focus of .7 meter. Dimensions are 55mm wide x 29.7mm long with a weight of 175 grams. The vented lens hood is sold separately at $45. Some photogs especially prize the 40mm focal length a providing the best and most natural perspective for 35mm 24x36 format, including noted American photography writer Mike Johnston. Like the 35/2.5 Pancake II, no lens hood is included with the 40/1.4. The 40/1.4's LH-5 lens hood is $45. An interesting point is that the lens cap can be attached or removed with the hood attached.




Cosina introduced TWO versions of the 40/1.4 at Photokina 2004. The standard "Nokton Classic" version is multi-coated. The limited production version for the Japanese home market is the 40/1.4 "Nokton Classic S.C." This is where it gets confusing. Cosina already makes multi-coated SC lenses (no periods) in classic Nikon Rangefinder mount. The 40/1.4 S.C. stands for "Single Coated". Why you ask? Because there is more to photographic imagery than super sharpness and the best possible lens test results. To quote Cosina's President Mr. Kobayashi "The 40/1.4 SC lens was produced for those who believe single coated lenses give more beautiful imagery in Black and White." Some Japanese photogs prefer the imagery of single coated lenses to multi-coated lenses, and so this limited edition version of 500 40/1.4 S.C. lenses. The first production run of the single coated 40/1.4 was a quick sell out in the Japanese home market. The 2nd production 40/1.4 SC lenses arrived 3/31/2005. The multi-coated 40/1.4 Classic is the SC version for B/W

So far as I know, the Voigtlander 40/1.4 is the smallest, lightest f/1.4 lens in Leica M mount!
/The 40/1.4 brings up the 50/75 frameline on the Leica M6, just like the previous 40/2 lenses for the Leica CL and Minolta CLE. Mr. K is apparently aiming to offer a faster lens for CL and CLE owners, as well as a fast 40 for his own Bessa R3A with 1:1 life size finder. The 40/1.4 will mount fine on the CLE, however the 40/1.4 hood will block the CLE's rangefinder. Either use a different hood on the CLE, or modify the hood with a jeweler's hacksaw to remove about 25% of the lens hood that blocks the CLE's rangefinder.



The Voigtlander 40/1.4 with LH-5 Hood mounted on the Voigtlander R3A with 40 frameline and 1:1 finder.
ALSO Introduced with the 40/1.4 were the new compact clip on VC Meter II for classic meterless cameras, and two new Leica M mount Bessas, the R2A and R3A.

Revised: December 31, 2006 . Copyright © 2006 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

Wide Angle Voigtlander R4M / R4A with 21/25/28/35/50 framelines!

New Voigtlander Bessa R4M with the new M mount Voigtlander 21/4 P

Bessa R4M and R4A, can you tell which is which? What are the differences?


Even if the batteries die killing the TTL meter, the mechanical shuttered R4M will still take pictures.
Tom's Abrahamsson on the Bessa R4's. Tom and Mr. K are the R4's Conceptual Designers
I have the R4M and have had the pleasure of using it for the last two weeks ( with the new 21/4P - the 21/4 in M-mount).There are some cameras that are "moments of truth" in a photographers life. the first time I held an m2 with the 35 on it, my first Nikon F and the Leica MP with the 0,58 finder. The R4 falls into this category! If you are a wide-angle shooter, it is an "epiphany" camera.
It just fits in your hand and view. For the trip to Japan I took a M2 with the VC 40/1,4 MC, a R3M with the 75/2 Summicron and as I knew that I would get the R4M and the new 21/4P once I got there, it was an unusually light travel pack for me. I did include a 12/5,6 for a specific shot (the shattered dome at Hiroshima Peace Park). Of the 45+ rolls I shot, about 25 were shot with the R4M. It is a spectacular finder! With the 21 I can see the framelines with glasses on. There is a faint reflection of the frames off to the side of the finder but not disturbingly so. Shutter noise and feel is the same as on any R3/R4 body. Slightly "clunky" release, which is a function of the shutter. Advance is very smooth and rewind better than on my Zeiss Ikon? All of this pales when looking through the finder - it is crisp, clear and sooo wide! So far I have only been using it with the 21/4P ( Mt kobayashi said, when he gave it to me" Oh, I hope you don't mind that it is a pre-production lens! The full production run wont start until next week!". No. I did not mind at all! It is the same formula as the screw-mount version and as that is one of the best 21's that you can buy - why change. The aperture ring has the "ears" of the 35/2,5 II on it and it makes it easy to set and change aperture.
The 25/4P will be out in late April and I have been promised one of these, once it is out. All in all, the R4 is all I expected it to be and more! Combined with a R3 you are covered from 21 to 90 mm. I suspect that my new travel pack will be the R4, a M2 ( still a great camera) and a R3. the 21, the 28/3,5VC, the 40/1,4 and the 75/2 Summicron (best finder for that lens is the R3M
For those of you who are waiting for your R4's - it is worth it and for those of you who are wavering - if you like using 21/25/28 and even 35's - just go for it!


My Best to everybody,Tom A 3/31/07
R4 report copyright of Tom Abrahamsson 2007, all rights reserved
Bessa R4M mounting the new Voigtlander 21/4P
Introduced at Photokina in October 2006, the Voigtlander R4M and R4A are the only production 35mm rangefinder cameras ever made with built in parallax projected framelines for 21, 25, 28, 35, and 50mm lenses. This is a REALLY BIG DEAL for rangefinder lovers who have long dreamt of a RF with built in 21 and 25 framelines, but were always told it was IMPOSSIBLE!
Previously the widest frameline ever built into a Leica M mount film camera was 28mm. The new Bessa R4M / R4A cameras open up a new world of convenient possibilities to the dedicated RF user. The minds behind the revolutionary wide angle Voigtlander R4M and R4A are Cosina's CEO Mr. Kobayashi, and his good friends Tom and Tuulikki Abrahamsson of Tom first asked Mr. K for a super wide Bessa about five years ago.
Once again Mr. K has brought to marketplace a unique rangefinder design never before offered. In practical terms the new R4M / R4A viewfinders mean 35mm photogs will not have to carry and keep track of 21 and 25 accessory viewfinders. For the first time photogs will be able to view and focus the 21 and 25 lenses from the SAME viewfinder without having to move their eye to a separate 21 or 25 viewfinder. This translates perfectly to having a Bessa R4M/A wide for 21-35 lenses, plus a Voigtlander R3A/M body with 1:1 viewfinder for the 40/50/75/90 lenses.
The new R4 series offer a combined rangefinder/viewfinder at .52x magnification with user selectable 21/35, 28, and 25/50 parallax corrected brightline frameline combinations. These are high eye point viewfinders, making the even the 21 frameline easily visible by most glasses wearers. Shown above are prototypes displayed behind the scenes at Photokina 2006. The R4M above is # 00001. Production R4M cameras will be available in the classic black paint finish above. Production R4A cameras will only be available in a matte black paint, which looks much like Leica's black chrome finish. Other than the viewfinders, features and operations are the same as the previous R3M and R3A.
The R4M is a mechanical shutter camera which works without batteries. It has a LED metering display along the bottom of the viewfinder, displaying exposure information in .5 EV values. The metering display is like the R3M. The R4M is available only in classic black paint finish., like the R2M or R3M.
The R4A is an electronic shutter camera which offers metered manual or aperture priority exposure. Like most other electronic shutter cameras, dead batteries mean a dead camera. The metering display is like the R3A. The R4A is available only in matt black finish.


Notice the R4A's Exposure AE lock on the back of the top plate, and the A for Aperture Priority Exposure on the shutter speed dial. The R4A has a matt black finish. The R4M has a classic black paint finish.
Manually selected 21/35, 28, or 25/50 parallax corrected brightlines, .52x viewfinder magnification
Rangefinder Close focus .7 meter
Meter range EV1-EV19 (ISO 100 f/1.4 at 1 sec to f/16 at 1/2000th)
TTL center weighted ambient light metering
Meter display after shutter is advanced with light pressure on shutter release
Batteries two 1.5V alkaline LR44 or silver SR44
Adaptable to the Bessa Trigger Winder or Bessa Grips
Electronic flash sync at 1/125th and slower
Manually set shutter speeds 1 second to 1/2000th plus B
Leica M mount 35mm film cameras
Manual film advance or film rewind
Easy film loading with hinged back
Size: 135.5mm width x 81mm height x 33.5mm depth, weight 440 grams

All the Voigtlander Bessas have fast easy to load back door film loading, along with a film window to remind you if you have film in the camera.

Revised: April 02, 2007 . Copyright © 2006-7 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

Voigtlander 35/1.2 Nokton Aspherical

March 17, 2008: The 35/1.2 was introduced in 2003. Once the Leica M8 was introduced in late 2006, some M8 owners reported focusing resistance as the lens focused near infinity.

The factory determined this was caused by the rear element guard sometimes binding with the focusing mechanism, and issued a retrofit parts replacement. CameraQuest has modified all 35/1.2's in stock, and will only sell M8 modified 35/1.2's in the future. Note this does not include M8 lens bar coding, which would be a patent violation. Of course all 35/1.2's, modified or not, work fine on all film Leica M bodies.

M8 retrofitting 35/1.2's for the original owners who bought from CameraQuest is free -- other than shipping charges. Average turnaround is 2 to 3 weeks after receipt. Retrofitting non CameraQuest 35/1.2's is $150, or free if a new Voigtlander lens or current production Voigtlander body is purchased at the same time of the retrofit.

the FASTEST 35 standard production lens ever made for 35mm rangefinder cameras
"The lens is incredible! No flare, barely any vignetting up to 1.4, smooth bokeh, razor sharpness. The 35mm Nokton is a truly amazing lens"
Charlie Lemay -- new 35/1.2 owner

At PMA 2003 I was more than happy as Cosina's CEO Mr. Kobayashi handed me his newest creation, the Leica M mount 35/1.2 Nokton. It is generating a tremendous amount of interest, from Voigtlander and Leica shooters alike.

35/1.2 Voigtlander Nokton Stats: 10 elements in 7 groups, 3 elements Aspheric, f/stops 1.2 to 22 in half stops, close focus .7 meters, 52mm filters, size 63mm x 77.8mm, weight 490 grams, 63 degree field of view, 12 aperture blades, beautifully made heavy duty construction, available in Leica M mount, black only, standard non vented hood included with the lens, optional Leica M style vented hood.



Handling: this is a big lens due to the fast 1.2 aperture. The focusing helical is silky smooth, with a short focusing throw from infinity to minimum focus in approximately 95 degrees. The aperture ring is also silky smooth, with full and half stop detents. Filter size is 52mm. As I am writing this on March 8th 2003, this 35/1.2 lens # 14 is one of only two on the North American Continent. The other is in the camera bag of Tom Abrahamsson for a future article in the LHSA Viewfinder.

For the Leica M8 use the M8's 35mm frameline, bought up automatically by the lens's M mount. For the Epson RD1 use the Epson's 35mm frameline.

4 Voigtlander 35's: 35/2.5 C, 35/2.5 P, 35/1.2 Aspherical , 35/1.7 Aspherical

50/1.5 Nokton ASPH, Bessa R2, 35/1.2 Nokton ASPH with both its shades, 28/1.9 Ultron ASPH. Both the 35/1.2 and the 28/1.9 are the fastest production lenses in their focal lengths ever made for any mount 35mm rangefinder camera by any manufacturer.

optional vented hood on the left, standard hood on the right

The 35/1.2 hoods have cutouts to match up with the mounting lug on the lens.

The previous 35 RF speed king lens was the Leica 35/1.4 ASPH. Will an half a stop really make any difference to you? Most of the time certainly not, but if you are a pro and that extra half a stop even brings you just one extra printable pic a year, it could make a big difference in your pocketbook if the other shooters at the event missed the shot in the low light.
Tom Abrahamsson has shot the 35/1.2 extensively. He says he can see no difference between the Voigtlander 35/1.2 at 1.2, and the Leica 35/1.4 Summilux at 1.4, high praise indeed.

Chrome Voigtlander 35/1.2 $949
In July 2007 Voigtlander released a limited edition chrome 35/1.2. Only 300 units were produced. Distributors were limited by Cosina to only 40 units each to provide world wide distribution. All chrome 35/1.2's left the factory M8 modified. The factory is out of chrome 35/1.2's, but they are still in stock at CameraQuest.

Chrome 35/1.2 mounted on a Leica M2

Size Comparison: 35/1.7 with M adapter, 35/1.2, 35/2.5C with M adapter (all lenses without hoods)
Chrome 35/1.2 mounted on a Leica M2

Voigtlander 35/1.2 Nikon Rangefinder Mount Prototype

Voigtlander SC 35/1.2 Aspherical, production three.
Voigtlander R2S mounting Voigtlander 50/1.5 compared to Voigtlander SC 35/1.2.

Voigtlander Eye Candy: Three Voigtlander 35/1.2 SC Prototypes in Nikon rangefinder mount were produced by Cosina for testing and evaluation.

This is the fastest 35mm lens ever made in Nikon rangefinder mount. Production was cancelled after SC lens sales did not meet sales expectations. It has the same optical formula as the M mount 35/1.2, with a filter size of 52mm, round dedicated clamp on lens hood, close focus just under .9 meters, clicked f/stops 1.2 to 22 with half clicks to f/11, and a double sided aperture ring since the large size of the lens on this mount translates to a single rotating helical instead of a double helical (this means the entire lens rotates as you focus). Where can you find these gorgeous beauties? Well, Mr. K has one, Tom Abrahamsson has one, and I have one. I don't think any of them will be for sale anytime soon.

Revised: June 18, 2008 . Copyright © 2004-8 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.