Voigtländer Bessamatic CS1967

History

The original Voigtländer Bessamatic (1959) was an ambitious leaf-shutter SLR featuring a selenium meter, the DKL interchangeable-lens system, and a through-the-lens metering system that was ahead of many contemporaries. It was followed by the Bessamatic M (1964) with minor improvements, and the Bessamatic CS (1967) as the final version with CdS metering.

The Bessamatic was a commercial competitor to the Kodak Retina Reflex IV and the Voigtländer Ultramatic, all three sharing the DKL mount. This inter-system lens compatibility was a marketing advantage, though the DKL system never achieved the breadth of the M42 or Pentax K ecosystems.

By 1967, the leaf-shutter SLR market was contracting. Japanese focal-plane SLRs — Pentax Spotmatic, Nikon Nikkormat, Canon FT — offered higher shutter speeds, larger lens ecosystems, and better ergonomics. Voigtländer continued developing the Bessamatic for loyal customers but discontinued the line in 1969 as the company was absorbed into the Zeiss Ikon / Schering AG group and eventually ceased German camera production.

Why It Matters

The Bessamatic CS is the final and most capable expression of the Bessamatic concept — a high-quality West German leaf-shutter SLR with full flash sync at all speeds, a respectable DKL lens selection, and CdS TTL metering. For flash photographers, the full 1/500s sync speed is a compelling advantage. The Septon 50/2 — Voigtländer's fastest standard lens for the system — is one of the most optically distinguished DKL-mount lenses and makes a compelling pairing. Collected as the last of the West German Bessamatic line.

Lenses & Accessories

DKL bayonet lenses: Voigtländer Color-Skopar 50/2.8, Septon 50/2, Skopagon 40/2, Zoomar 36–82/2.8; Schneider-Kreuznach Curtagon 35/2.8 DKL, Retina-Xenar 50/2.8; Rodenstock Heligon 50/1.9 DKL. Wide DKL interoperability with Kodak Retina Reflex IV. Accessories: cable release (threaded socket on shutter), sync socket, Voigtländer filters in 40.5mm and 49mm thread sizes.

Sample Photographers / Notable Use

• Used by West German advanced amateur and professional photographers who valued full flash sync and interchangeable lenses.
• The Septon 50/2 variant was favoured for available-light portrait and reportage work.
• Collected as the final West German Bessamatic body and a representative example of the DKL inter-system era.

References

• Camera-Wiki: Voigtländer Bessamatic CS