Voigtlander Bessa (SC) system

Voigtlander Bessa-R2S and Bessa-R2C are compact and lightweight 35mm rangefinder cameras with mechanical focal plane shutter with 1/2000s top speed, TTL exposure metering and LED finder readout. The Bessa-R2S is designed for Nikon rangefinder mount lenses. The Bessa-R2C is designed for classic Contax rangefinder lenses.

The body has a built-in lens helical and inner bayonet for 50mm lenses, and an outer bayonet mount for all other lenses. This design allows much smaller 50mm lenses compared to other rangefinder mounts.

While the exterior mounts and back focus for classic Nikon rangefinder lenses and classic Zeiss Contax rangefinder lenses are the same, the helical travel is different between the two mounts. All Voigtlander SC lenses are Nikon rangefinder mount, though the 35mm and shorter lenses will work well on classic Contax mount cameras.

When interchanging lenses between the R2S and R2C, the difference between the wide angle lenses is generally considered to be so small as to be negligible. On 50mm and longer lenses, focusing inaccuracies between the two lens lines increase as (A) the focal length increases, B) the focusing distance decreases, and C) aperture increases.

• 35mm film rangefinder cameras with Nikon S mount (1):
  Cosina Voigtlander Bessa-R2S (2002)
• 35mm film rangefinder cameras with Contax mount (1):
  Cosina Voigtlander Bessa-R2C (2002)