The BESSA L and its cousins really surprised the camera world in 1999. Made by Cosina, they were a step back in time to the age of traditional rangefinders. The BESSA L actually has no rangefinder. In fact it has no built-in viewfinder.That device on top of the camera is a clip-on viewfinder that approximates the field of view of the lens it matches. In this case, the f5.6 12mm Heliar. The extreme depth of field exhibited by very wide lenses makes range focussing a breeze. The aspherical design greatly reduces the barrel distortion associated with extreme wide lenses. The camera has a light but solid feel. Top shutter speed is 1/2000.
The BESSA – L was made in either black or silver. The silver BESSA was lent to me by Michael Carmack. Mike is a kind hearted soul that likes to help me decide how to spend my money !
The Big E – Springfield Ma – Kodak Gold 200
From a series called “Slobby Americans”
My old hometown
Where I Live
Why Americans Are Free
A big powerhouse dominates the southern section of the derelict Belchertown State School. I have always wanted to see the inside and I recently got my chance when somebody left a door open. I brought a Bessa – L with a 12mm Heliar lens, a Corina and a handheld flash.
Many lives passed through the old State School. But I have no fear of ghosts.
Where coal eating fire once roared, but for the sound of dripping water, silence dominates.