Bessamatic
Encyclopedia
The Bessamatic was an 35mm SLR
camera made by Voigtländer
in the 1960s, featuring a selenium meter
.
It uses a leaf shutter rather than the more common (in SLR cameras) focal plane shutter. This is a Synchro-Compur shutter mounted behind the lens, which is interchangeable. The shutter speeds go from "B" to 1/500.
The most common lenses found on the Bessamatic are the Lanthar, Color Skopar, and Color Skopar X all of which are 50mm focal length f/2.8 although the 50mm f/2 Septon is also fitted to these cameras, and is highly prized.
The 35mm Skoparex is unusual, but not hard to find.
The 135mm f/4 Super Dynarex is relatively common, although the 200mm and 350mm Super Dynarex lenses are relatively rare and expensive.
The Bessmatic was the first SLR to be fitted with a zoom lens, the Zoomar. This is a highly sought after collectible and is quite expensive.
The Bessamatic has a reputation as a tricky camera to repair, although if looked after they are a reliable and pleasant to use camera. It is certainly worth seeking out someone familiar with this model for servicing and repair, as the reputation is not totally unfounded. The mechanism is very precisely made with many small components and can be damaged if any of the controls are forced. This can easily turn a minor repair into a camera fit for spare parts use.
There is also a Bessamatic CS - which has TTL
CdS
metering, typically fitted with a Lanthar 50 mm/f2.8 lens. This was made only for a short time and is relatively uncommon.
The Bessamatic M was an entry level model which has no meter at all, and is uncommon today.
SLR
The initialism SLR can refer to:* Satellite laser ranging* Scalable Linear Recording Tape Drive Backup* Self-Loading Rifle, see semi-automatic rifle.** The UK version of the Belgian FN FAL select fire battle rifle, the L1A1 SLR.* Semi-linear resolution...
camera made by Voigtländer
Voigtländer
Voigtländer is an optical company founded by Johann Christoph Voigtländer in Vienna in 1756 and is thus the oldest name in cameras. It produced the Petzval photographic lens in 1840, and the world's first all-metal daguerrotype camera in 1841, also bringing out plate cameras shortly afterwards...
in the 1960s, featuring a selenium meter
Selenium meter
A selenium meter is a light-measuring instrument based on the photoelectric properties of selenium. The most common use of such light meters is measuring the exposure value for photography...
.
It uses a leaf shutter rather than the more common (in SLR cameras) focal plane shutter. This is a Synchro-Compur shutter mounted behind the lens, which is interchangeable. The shutter speeds go from "B" to 1/500.
The most common lenses found on the Bessamatic are the Lanthar, Color Skopar, and Color Skopar X all of which are 50mm focal length f/2.8 although the 50mm f/2 Septon is also fitted to these cameras, and is highly prized.
The 35mm Skoparex is unusual, but not hard to find.
The 135mm f/4 Super Dynarex is relatively common, although the 200mm and 350mm Super Dynarex lenses are relatively rare and expensive.
The Bessmatic was the first SLR to be fitted with a zoom lens, the Zoomar. This is a highly sought after collectible and is quite expensive.
The Bessamatic has a reputation as a tricky camera to repair, although if looked after they are a reliable and pleasant to use camera. It is certainly worth seeking out someone familiar with this model for servicing and repair, as the reputation is not totally unfounded. The mechanism is very precisely made with many small components and can be damaged if any of the controls are forced. This can easily turn a minor repair into a camera fit for spare parts use.
There is also a Bessamatic CS - which has TTL
Through-the-lens metering
Through-the-lens metering is a photographic term describing a feature of cameras capable of measuring light levels in a scene through their taking lenses, as opposed to a separate metering window...
CdS
CDS
-Computing and electronics:* Cadence Design Systems, American Electronic Design Automation software company* Chromatography data system, software to control chromatography instruments* Cockpit display system* Compact Discs...
metering, typically fitted with a Lanthar 50 mm/f2.8 lens. This was made only for a short time and is relatively uncommon.
The Bessamatic M was an entry level model which has no meter at all, and is uncommon today.