Film cameras
Voigtlander Bessa - model 2 User manual
User manual for Voigtlander Bessa - model 2. 13 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Voigtländer
- Model / document
- Voigtlander Bessa - model 2
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 13
- File size
- 2.9 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 4 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com
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RANGEFIIIDER
M(lllET 2 BESSA
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VOIGTLANDER& s0N F0uView original page 4Page 5 · Read text
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, *
The new 2Yq*3r/+ Rangefi.nder Bessa
Model 2 is the fulfillment of every ama'
tcur photographer's drearn a camera
possessingevery single refi.nement essential
for perfect photography, yet of such sens'
ible destgn that the external shape alone
proves that a camera with a coupled range-
finder' can still be very compact and light.
Every part from the rangefinder (#1;
to the trigger shutter release (#2), is built
into this streamlined camera.
Perfect focusing is sirnplicity itself
with the built-in rangefinder (combined
range-viewfinder). Looking through it,
you will see a yellowish circle in the
center of a clearly outlined viewfinder
image. A double outline of the subject
will be seen in the circle as long as the
distance is incorrectly set. A turn of the
focusing knob (#3), and in a jifiy the two
images coincide, setting the distance auto.
matically for maximum sharpness.View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
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* t ,
An innovation in the Bessa is' its
unique construction, the result of genera-
tions of practical experience. ft is cleverly
designed, so that the controls are located
right at the fingertips.
Two fingers are used for focusitg -
the eye checks the rangefinder and the
index finger rests on the shutter release.
The camera is firrrrly held in both hands
ready for use, while critical focusing of
the subject is followed through every
movement, so that the picture can be taken
at just the proper instant.
S h u t t e r s p e e d s c a n b e i n s t a n t l y
changed by a slight twist of the outer rim,
while the lens stops are changed by a mere
flick of the indicator.
Fast lens speed permits excellent
pictures under normal indoor lighting con-
ditions and even theatre and night photo-
graphs, without resortins to the use of a
flash-gunView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
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Digitally signed by mike
butkus
DN: cn=mike butkus, mike o=orphancameras, ou=29,
email=mike@butkus.org,
c=US
2017.10.14 17:45:00 butkus Date:-04'00'
Shuttr:r speeds rarrge from one secnxt,l
to l/400th, in addition to bulh. [f the
photographer wishes to appear in the
photograph, it is merely necessary to ad-
just the delaved action slrutt er release
(#5 ) . Between operation of the release
and the opening of the shutter'. about
twelve seconds will elap tirne enoush
to take one's place in the sroup.
The Compur Bapid shutter has btrilt-
in flash synchr onization, too. Practically
every popular flash gun manufacturer
markets a model suitable for use rvith the
Elessa. The fratterv case and re fleetor al'e
attached to the camera lrv means of a
bracket; the connecting cord is sim p l''
plugged into the couplins on the shutter.
and the camera is ready for action.
A soeliet for use with a flexible wire
release is provid-ed directlv above the
trigger release (#4\. This is threaded to
accommodate the standard conrpur relr:ASi'.
available in variolrs sizes.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
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1 tXtiilt;::
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The depth of field from . . . to . . .
ffur b€ instardv rcad for any aperture,
orl the conv€nir:rrt seale lo""icd in the
la:rye foeusing lirrob (#7). Engraved on the
inner' fi>red circ le ( +g ) it a small triangle
which scr\res to indicate the distance in
feet to wlrich the canlera has lrr:en set.
Bel.ow thc small triangle are var:ious lens
openirg-s f t'ot1 each of which 1 pair of
lirr,r,rs( #9 ) pro ject to the rotating f.irrg indi-
catin g the exten t of depth o f field.
Ilxuntple: Distarrce set at 15 feet rvitlr lens
opening f3.6^ t h e depth of fielcl extcn rls
from 12 fect to 20 feet rvhile at f22, the
tleptlr of field reaches fronr B f eet to i n-
finity, and -co on.
A n u l l o b s e r ' e r l , s . ? l p . h o t e ' l ) l o v i r r g
"ZONE'' f or:usirrg ver\- o fl en r".,,lts i rr a
surprisinglv finc picturr'. Trvo svnlllol.. iul
inverted trianele (#10) anrl a circle (rI t)
r:tched on the outer. r-otatin s knol) are
Irrough! into use for this plca-"trralrle pa-s-
tinre. The triangle is used as a distanee
ytJing fol elose u'ork bet\yeen roughly
I feet arrd 15 feet. and the eircle for irrb-
jects-bevond l5 fcet. This p.actiee requires
good Iightinq corrditions"with lens set at fll.View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
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Voigtlander optical etl ui pnrent was
well known when photography was still
in its infancye because the very first lenses
designed for photographic purposes were
Voigtlander lenses.
The Skopar, composed of four ele-
ments, combines the utmost sharpness with
particularly great resolvitg power. ft is
the most popular Voigtlander lens, afrord'
irg remarkably high performance at a
moderate priee.
The difference in eonstruction between
the Heliar and the Skopar is reflected in '*:x: T,'ff"I;'ff;nluHJljIil":Tn:
construction demands a v e r y d i f f i c u l t
mountitg whieh, it itself, is an expensive
item.
To sum up, the Skopar more than
answers the requirements of the average
amateur, while the lfeliar is the lens
"p", excelle nce" for the f astidious and
critical worker. Both lenses are coated for
even greater effieiency.View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
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)n is another feature.
(#L4) is pressed and
erected - the trigger
lverly concealed under
'ges as if by magi,c -
a dorvnward motion on the baseLo""d; and
presto the camera is ready for action.
closing tl_r" camera requires a rlight'on
pressure o n the release catch located
the baseboai'd, and the front folds back
quickly and s6. ilv.
Two sockets (*tZ) ancr (#i3) for the
use of a tripod and flash gun, or even both.
are located for the utmost convenienee.
The built-in rangefinder operates just
as effectively- wlth the camera closed, ;;l
when opened the lens \^rilr be adcuratelvJ set at the proper distanee.
The body is covered with sleek, blaok
g-enuine leather, topped off by a rich satin
ehrome fini-"h- resuitittg in extremelv
handsome looking instrument.",' Sttr";;i
lighg !h" Bessa ean very conveniently b;
earied in the poeket.View original page 10Page 12 · Read text
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voigtlander filters are available in
fuoth light and medium yellow. Focar at'
tachments open up the field oI close-up
photography. The (*f ) Focar permits
working at distances from 1?" to 32", while
the @Z) can be used for closc'ups from
12" to L7". The Voigtlander sunshade is
a particularly useful accessorye se.ring to
lrold back extraneous raYS.
' Model2 2r/4x3Y4RangefinderBessa
*RFS with Color-SkoPar f3'5 lens '
*RFH with Color-Heliar f3'5 lens '
Ev ere a d yCa rrY in g Case o ' ' o
37mm. Yellow filter light or medium
37mm. Focar lens, #I or #2 ' ' '
3 7 m m . S u n s h a d e . . o . o o '
xCode RFS f or camera with SkoPar lens
Desi,gnati,onz RFH for camera^ with Heliar lens
,tView original page 12From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.











