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 recycaling trademarks and camera names. For instance there are various "Bessa" models out there that are in no way similare to the pre-war Bessa. It is therefor more difficult to gather proper information about particulare models in the Bessa line. This article will feature as much reliable information about the "pre-war" models as possible.
Bessa
The Bessa I 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 6x9" photographs. It's 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
Voigtlander Bessa 1937. Voigtar Lens. Prontor shutter.
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.
Bessa 1937.
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 prosess 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 Basse'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.
Optional Equipment 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.
Links
In English:
- Bessa I and Bessa II folding cameras at antjam65's site
- Bessa I repair notes at Robert Ian Axford's Camera Works
- Bessa, Bessa II, and Bessa 66 at The Classic Camera
- Bessa by Roger W. Hicks, among Shutterbug's Classic & Historical Cameras
- Bessa I and II at Jurgen Kreckel's site
- Bessa I instructions (three options), from F. and S. Marriott
- Bessa models (very well illustrated), at UK Camera
- Bessa instruction manual from www.orphancameras.com
- Bessa RF Heliar Gallery at mflenses.com
In French:
- Bessa 66 at M. Groleau's site
- Bessa before 1935 at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
- Bessa -1935 at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
- Bessa RF at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
- Bessa II at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
In Japanese:
In Polish:
- Voigtek at www.stegierski.com by Rafał Stęgierski