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Digital Bessa shown at PMA 2004, a joint effort of Cosina and Epson

This is a historic camera, the first digital interchangeable lens rangefinder.  Mounted is a 1930's vintage 50/2.5 uncoated Hektor, with standard screw mount to bayonet mount adapter. The digital Bessa will open up new vistas to photogs who want to shoot digital as well as film with their Leica screw mount or bayonet mount lenses.

The eyepiece seems larger than the Bessa R2.   Could the film type rewind knob be a dial for camera functions linked to the LCD screen readout?  This very traditional film camera layout is just what many photogs have longed for in a digital camera.  Far too many new cameras give the impression they were designed by computer freaks instead of photographers.   The 0 to 500 dial may be a frame counter, varying with the amount of storage you are using at the time, the other dials indicating light balance and resolution.  I have no guesses on what type of storage medium it uses.   One of the buttons below the advance lever may be an exposure lock.

The rear LCD panel flips out of the way, probably not only to conserve batteries, but also to give a more traditional film shooting experience.

Hopefully available for sale later this year, I am looking forward to evaluating a production camera.   I don't see digital replacing film with serious shooters anytime soon, as both mediums have advantages and disadvantages.  

Digital is just another tool, to use when needed in the right circumstances.  Guesses on SPECS

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Revised: February 19, 2004 .  Copyright © 2004  Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved.    This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind.  Information in this document is subject to change without notice.  Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.