Sparrow
Veteran
I don’t suppose anyone has any idea where I can get a replacement 6x9/6x4.5 film selector button for an old Bessa.
I decided to put a sort out my granddad’s 1930s 6x9 Bessa that I’ve had in a glass cabinet since I sort of inherited maybe 7-8 years ago, and hopefully put a film through it.
Anyway on close inspection I seem to have two problems, first the shutter sticks at 1/10 and slower and second there’s just an aluminium bush where the frame selector should be. The shutter should be fairly easy but spare parts!!!
Any suggestions, other than blank it off?
I decided to put a sort out my granddad’s 1930s 6x9 Bessa that I’ve had in a glass cabinet since I sort of inherited maybe 7-8 years ago, and hopefully put a film through it.
Anyway on close inspection I seem to have two problems, first the shutter sticks at 1/10 and slower and second there’s just an aluminium bush where the frame selector should be. The shutter should be fairly easy but spare parts!!!
Any suggestions, other than blank it off?
fidget
Lemon magnet
Not sure what you mean here.
Many folders which are dual format are changed by adding a film mask or swinging side masks into place before loading film. They can't be changed after the film is loaded.
Is the selector you refer to a viewfinder selector?
I have a 1930s RF Bessa 6x9 which has a button to change the VF mask. Of course it has no effect on the format of the negative, although framing a shot on the wrong VF may be more difficult.
Dave....
Many folders which are dual format are changed by adding a film mask or swinging side masks into place before loading film. They can't be changed after the film is loaded.
Is the selector you refer to a viewfinder selector?
I have a 1930s RF Bessa 6x9 which has a button to change the VF mask. Of course it has no effect on the format of the negative, although framing a shot on the wrong VF may be more difficult.
Dave....
Sparrow
Veteran
It is supposed to select automatically the correct red window by moving the pressure plate when you close the back with the mask in place, there’s just a hole there now so I have to do something with it.
I was about 12 when he showed me how it all worked and I haven’t retained a complete memory
I was about 12 when he showed me how it all worked and I haven’t retained a complete memory
chippy
foo was here
a picture would help Stewart, inside and outside, it would allow to se what else may be missing as well as provide a visual to how it may be fixed.
these had depending on the year three different types of knobs, one was like a slotted screw and probaly this one was the plastic type with molded ridges, they are prone to breaking, they later upgraded them to aluminium knobs with the same shape as what the plastic were.
the obvious answer is to try and get a wrecked camera with a good back and exchange the backs, may be more exspensive than you are wanting though, othwise it may be possible to fashion/turn a new knob or find something a simular size...lastly block it off or replace with a back that doesnt have the knob-just the red windows for both 6x9 and 6x4.5
these had depending on the year three different types of knobs, one was like a slotted screw and probaly this one was the plastic type with molded ridges, they are prone to breaking, they later upgraded them to aluminium knobs with the same shape as what the plastic were.
the obvious answer is to try and get a wrecked camera with a good back and exchange the backs, may be more exspensive than you are wanting though, othwise it may be possible to fashion/turn a new knob or find something a simular size...lastly block it off or replace with a back that doesnt have the knob-just the red windows for both 6x9 and 6x4.5
kuzano
Veteran
more options than you may think.
more options than you may think.
The same dual format mask was used in a number of Bessa 6X9's. Therefore if you get one of these other bodies, you will have the mechanism that opens the second red window for the 6X4.5 position.
They are..:
The BESSA RF... the rangefinder model, unless that's the one you now have
Many of the other BESSA's of the era.
The BESSA I, of which there are a fair number that turn up on eBay and other sellers. I don't think the BESSA I back will fit. However, I can tell you that the mechanism and the masks are the same. I currently have one of the 30's BESSA models with the mask. I've had two of the BESSA I's with the mask, and I have interchanged them.
The masks are also reversible, so that you can't put them in the camera wrong. Each side has the trigger hump to activate the second window opening mechanism.
The masks are often missing, but the second ruby window opening mechanism is usually in the camera.
The BESSA I was a fifties camera, so the dual format mask was the same for at least two decades.
If you need picture, I can provide them for you if you will PM me.
more options than you may think.
The same dual format mask was used in a number of Bessa 6X9's. Therefore if you get one of these other bodies, you will have the mechanism that opens the second red window for the 6X4.5 position.
They are..:
The BESSA RF... the rangefinder model, unless that's the one you now have
Many of the other BESSA's of the era.
The BESSA I, of which there are a fair number that turn up on eBay and other sellers. I don't think the BESSA I back will fit. However, I can tell you that the mechanism and the masks are the same. I currently have one of the 30's BESSA models with the mask. I've had two of the BESSA I's with the mask, and I have interchanged them.
The masks are also reversible, so that you can't put them in the camera wrong. Each side has the trigger hump to activate the second window opening mechanism.
The masks are often missing, but the second ruby window opening mechanism is usually in the camera.
The BESSA I was a fifties camera, so the dual format mask was the same for at least two decades.
If you need picture, I can provide them for you if you will PM me.
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Krosya
Konicaze
Sparrow
Veteran
Well that sounds more promising, I could just block it off with blue-tack for now there if it’s the same across the range a “donor” is bound to turn up
I’ll post pics of what’s left
I’ll post pics of what’s left
chippy
foo was here
actually there is a different mask (not commonly seen) that doesn't have the humps..this one is for some of the backs that dont have the mechanism for auto flipping to 6x4.5. e.g some of the backs even on the first bessa rf that dont have the mechanism for switching (no knob/dial at all) cant take it without some alteration (grinding) to the humps or to the pressure plate. the back wont close (without using huge undo pressure that will cause damage) on those with the insert from the bessa 1 that has the humps..in other words cant use it, not to mention it pushes the pressure plate away from the film
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FallisPhoto
Veteran
I wouldn't hold out a huge amount of hope for this, but the Classic Camera Repair Forum has a section called the Swap Zone, where you can advertize for spare parts. You might be able to find someone with a spare button there. http://www.kyphoto.com/cgi-bin/forum/discus.cgi
Sparrow
Veteran
Cleaned the shutter and self timer and wiped down the three lens elements with an oily rag and blocked the hole in the back with thermal setting plastic it's looking good and working properly.
the front comes off by removing the front trim the rear element unscrews allowing access to the back of the middle element and the iris and shutter, most of the problem was oil that had migrated onto most of the interior, it washed off easily with lighter fluid.
before
after
during
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19217760@N05/
the front comes off by removing the front trim the rear element unscrews allowing access to the back of the middle element and the iris and shutter, most of the problem was oil that had migrated onto most of the interior, it washed off easily with lighter fluid.
before
after
during
http://www.flickr.com/photos/19217760@N05/
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Bessa 6x4.5 Mask
Bessa 6x4.5 Mask
There's one for sale on EBay right now, located in Italy and with one day to run. Currently priced at USD33.
I have one also but as it's part of my Bessa Vaskar I 'kit' along with the 6x9 Kontur finder, lens hood, filter and Focar closeup lens I'm not prepared to sell it separately.
I have another Bessa I with the 3.5 Skopar lens. It's an older manufacture date than the first one and internally there are slight differences. The mask from the 4.5 Vaskar model doesn't quite fit the same way and the window only half opens for the smaller frame size. Probably a little judicious bending and/or grinding would fix that but I don't want to mess it up for the camera it really belongs to.
Bessa 6x4.5 Mask
There's one for sale on EBay right now, located in Italy and with one day to run. Currently priced at USD33.
I have one also but as it's part of my Bessa Vaskar I 'kit' along with the 6x9 Kontur finder, lens hood, filter and Focar closeup lens I'm not prepared to sell it separately.
I have another Bessa I with the 3.5 Skopar lens. It's an older manufacture date than the first one and internally there are slight differences. The mask from the 4.5 Vaskar model doesn't quite fit the same way and the window only half opens for the smaller frame size. Probably a little judicious bending and/or grinding would fix that but I don't want to mess it up for the camera it really belongs to.
Sparrow
Veteran
well it's working. I need to find a way to scan them properly but there are no light-leaks, and the negs look good
