Bessamatic

The Voigtländer Bessamatic SLR shines brightly as one of the clearest and most interesting stars among the West German SLR's.  The fact that so many still are being treasured and used are a proof of this, and allthough the Bessamatic hasn't got that much more to offer than other German SLR's, there are some very important details that makes it very unique. Are you ready to take notes ?. There are 4 different Bessamatic versions:

Bessamatic
Bessamatic M
Bessamatic "DeLuxe"
Bessamatic CS (CDS lightmeter - not in collection yet)

First of all the Bessamatic are manufactured according to the usual high Voigtländer standards, and the finish are simply just marvellous. No matter which version you should care to choose, the finish and mechanical standards are of the same high level. Secondly, the general layout of the controls are superbly designed and evrything are just as they should be. Whereas other manufacturers continued to used the somewhat problematic design in which the rear lens elements were behind the shutter, Voigtländer had all elements in front of the shutter, and the Bessamatic lenses are renowned for their superb quality. Of my own personal experience I have learned, that the common problem on f.e. Contaflex shutters that tend to "stick" and not close immediately after release, are not that common on the Bessamatics in comparison. Also I have not very often experienced a badly deteriorated prism on the Bessamatics, which is not that un-common on f.e. Retina Reflex SLR's. Unfortunately the fact is, that is is more easy to have a shutter repaired or adjusted than having a prism replaced, which almost certainly requires a second camera that have been aqquired for sparepart use only.

The pleasant truth is, that when looking on the different options for buying a West German SLR with interchangeable lenses, leaf shutter and a range of various accessories and taking the various pros and cons into consideration, the Voigtländer Bessamatic are by far the best choice for the average user and enthusiast. I love my Contaflex Super B, but the choice of enses are very limited. Of course the Contarex are in a class of its own, and should really not be compared with the Bessamatic.  Well, nothing really compares to the the Contarex "Bullseye", but thats a different story. Conclusion: If your priority are to get a superb mid-priced West German SLR, that offers a range of wonderfuld lenses (including the Retina reflex lenses !!), the Voigtländer Bessamatic should be your first choice.

I have a dear friend that owns 4 photoshops in Copenhagen. He told me, that his first SLR was a Bessamatic which he bought way back in 1959 when he had just become an apprentice in a renowned photo-company in Copenhagen. His boss asked, how on earth he could possible pay for this expensive camera, but allowed him to buy it and pay in (many !) monthly rates. The total price for the Bessamatic back then was equal to one years salary for an apprentice !. So he used to go out to weddings and birthdays and take pictures to earn a little extra. By the way, my friend was the first Dane to own the famous Zoomar lens. This short anecdote just to illustrate, that photography used to be a very expensive hobby if you wanted to own a quality camera. Nowadays such values are considered almost a human right.

I have divided this Bessamatic section into 2 pages. The first page (this page) includes the Bessamatics in my collection, and the second page is entirely devoted to the various lenses and lens options. 

Bessamatic "M" (1964 - 1966) SLR
Serial nr.: 3038XX
Format:  24 x 36 on 35 mm film
Optics: Color-Skopar X 1:2,8  50mm - Deckel bayonet mount
Shutter: Synchro Compur  B + 1 sec. => 1/500 sec.
Misc: Non-instant return mirror
 No lightmeter - full manual control

Front view Simple & very beautiful !

"M" model rapid advance lever and DIN/asa scale

Bessamatic (1958 - 1963) SLR
Serial nr.: 1702X
Format:  24 x 36 on 35 mm film
Optics: Color-Skopar X 1:2,8  50mm - Deckel bayonet mount
Shutter: Synchro Compur  B + 1 sec. => 1/500 sec.
Misc: Non-instant return mirror
Selenium ligthmeter w. match needle metering in viewfinder

Aperture setting dial,  rewind knob and DIN/asa setting	The famous moving red depth-of-field indicators and shutter speed dial
Rapid advance lever and frame counter	The accessory shoe that slides on the viewfinder plastic frame

Bessamatic "DeLuxe" (1962 - 1966) SLR
Serial nr.: 26351X
Format:  24 x 36 on 35 mm film
Optics: Septon 1:2  50mm - Deckel bayonet mount
Shutter: Synchro Compur  B + 1 sec. => 1/500 sec.
Misc: non instant return mirror
Selenium ligthmeter with match-needle metering and
both aperture and shutter speed setting reflected
optically into the viewfinder.

Well, the above specifications and description really says it all. The big difference between the ordinary Bessamatic and the "DeLuxe" model are the "T" refector housing, that optically reflects both the chosen aperture setting and the shutter speed setting into the viewfinder. This is so typically Voigtländer, and allthough I don't know it for a fact, it must certainly be a Voigtländer patent. The aperture setting and the chosen shutter speed are very clearly visible in the top of the viewfinder, but being an optical solution it of course only work under reasonable light conditions. The idea of reflecting informations from the manual setting dials have been used by Voigtländer on other cameras f.e. the Vitomatics, and especially the Vitomatic IIB. If you mostly work by daylight you will of course benefit from the "T" reflector. If you primarely work with ALP (available light photography) and/or work under poor light conditions you will probably not find this feature very important and useful. But the choice is nevertheless yours. The Bessamatic "De Luxe" are a very nice camera and also very desirable. Just make sure that the shutter works at all settings, and that the lightmeter works, and a final piece of advice, that goes for all the Bessamatics: Don't panic if you are looking for one !!. Don't compromise with the condition. There will always be another one for sale !.

 

Bessamatic DeLuxe front and "Deckel" S bayonet mount.	View from back with accessory shoe fitted
The "T" reflector housing that reflects both aperture setting and chosen shutter speed into the  viewfinder	The unique "T" reflector housing in close-up. A truly ingenious feature on the Bessamatic DeLuxe