Bessa R2A top plate removal (how to do it)

[monopix]

Had to remove mine recently and I couldn't find anything that showed how so I took some piccies along the way. Here they are.

Remove the cover from the film advance lever by removing the two screws on its underside. You'll see this.

Slide the round plate to the right like this

and remove it

remove the washer (note which way up it goes) and the arm and the two washers that are fitted underneath the arm

these are the parts in the order removed

Remove the pin headed screw from the centre of the shutter speed dial. Hold down the dial as there's a spring under it

remove the dial and note how the ISO dial fits

then remove it too

remove the spring and the dial body

here's the parts removed

Remove the two screws around the eyepiece and watch for the washers underneath (if there are any)

Note: before doing the next step, open the back of the camera and keep it open because the rewind shaft is about to fall into the camera and if that happens with the door closed, you'll then need to find something hook shaped to insert down the hole where the shaft should be to pull up on the catch to open the door.

Remove the screw in the centre of the rewind knob and remove the knob (I think later ones are different) and remove the collar holding in the door catch release lever

Remove the screw under the rubber cover near the hinge

and the similar one also under the rubber cover near the flash socket

Remove the two screws at the front to the top left and top right of the lens mount. Also remove the final screw at the back near the exposure lock button. You can now lift the top cover off but beware of the ground wire attached near the flash socket. This can be unscrewed from the body to release the top completely.

 

[monopix]

And a last picture (apparently you can only have 15 pictures per post and I reached that limit above) which shows the rangfinder vertical alignment screw in case that's what you need. You can get to this screw through the holes under the flash shoe but I recommend sealing it once adjusted and that's done more easily with the top removed.

 

[SaveKodak]

It's not as easy to manipulate, but you can also access these screws by taking off the hot shoe.

 

[monopix]

It's not as easy to manipulate, but you can also access these screws by taking off the hot shoe.

Yes, as I mentioned.

But it's difficult to seal the screw effectively.

 

[appendixp]

Your post is exactly what I'm really looking for!
Unfortunately most of the pictures are no longer available 🙁

Any chance that you can update the links or re-upload the pictures please ?

 

[monopix]

Any chance that you can update the links or re-upload the pictures please ?

*** Done ***

 

[appendixp]

*** Done ***

Thank you very much 🙂

 

[B-9]

Just want to confirm this is basically the same procedure for the Bessa R and R2

The only difference being the rewind lever with has a flat head screw (with a small red dot) that needs to be unscrewed while holding the rewind fork. Once loose the handle will come off with it. You will then need unscrew the retaining ring beneath it while also still holding the rewind fork. Mine was a PITA to get loose but it worked out fine with some patience and the right driver.

I had to re glue my film counter window 2 hours into owning the camera.
I used a tiny dab of hot glue and bam back to new. Thanks!

 

[RobinWinter]

Monopix, I know this is an old thread but I figured id take a chance. I've been trying to take the top of my R3a to clean the glass on the front of the viewfinder (its heavily fogged) but just cant get the rewind lever off. The screw was nearly impossible to turn and felt like I might be stripping it. Is there a trick to it that you know of?? The screw that holds it on is all chewed up now and I'm no closer to getting that thing off. I'm worried I might break it by stripping the threads on the screw or worse yet, in the camera body if I keep going.

Help!

Thanks in advance!

 

[monopix]

It's been a long time since I did that but I think it's just a screw. If the screw is already damaged then you may have to resort to drilling it out otherwise the usual ways of loosening screws could be used (heat, mechanical shock, penetrating oil etc.). Maybe others have some ideas.

 

[RobinWinter]

Gotcha, thanks for the quick reply. I'll try using penetrating oil. Do you remember at all if it stayed pretty tight all the way out or if it behaved like a normal screw and was tight until it broke loose and then came out smooth? Mine just feels weird, like tons of effort to turn it and it just doesnt feel like its turning smooth. Id drill it but then i think id have to re-tap the hole and find a replacement screw.

Thanks again.

 

[monopix]

I don't remember but sounds like yours may have some threadlock on it so could be tight all the way out.

 

[lolmannz]

How do you get the dual pin headed plate off the ISO / shutter speed dial?
I have a spanner head #8 screwdriver bit that is two prong but the prongs are too thick to fit into the holes.

 

[monopix]

You need an adjustable lens wrench with round tips.

 

[Larry H-L]

A pair of needle point tweezers from the drug store will usually work as a small spanner tool. Cheap too.

 

[Darthfeeble]

I took an old pair of needle nose pliers to the grinder to make mine. Put a slight bend in the tip as needed.

 

[Fabien3d]

Hello @monopix!

Thanks for your detailed tutorial!
Unluckily, your pictures no longer display in your post.
Can you upload them once again?

Regards,

 

[monopix]

Remove the cover from the film advance lever by removing the two screws on its underside. You'll see this.


Slide the round plate to the right like this


and remove it


remove the washer (note which way up it goes) and the arm and the two washers that are fitted underneath the arm


these are the parts in the order removed


Remove the pin headed screw from the centre of the shutter speed dial. Hold down the dial as there's a spring under it


remove the dial and note how the ISO dial fits


then remove it too


remove the spring and the dial body


here's the parts removed


Remove the two screws around the eyepiece and watch for the washers underneath (if there are any)


CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

 

[monopix]

Note: before doing the next step, open the back of the camera and keep it open because the rewind shaft is about to fall into the camera and if that happens with the door closed, you'll then need to find something hook shaped to insert down the hole where the shaft should be to pull up on the catch to open the door.

Remove the screw in the centre of the rewind knob and remove the knob (I think later ones are different) and remove the collar holding in the door catch release lever

Remove the screw under the rubber cover near the hinge

and the similar one also under the rubber cover near the flash socket

Remove the two screws at the front to the top left and top right of the lens mount. Also remove the final screw at the back near the exposure lock button. You can now lift the top cover off but beware of the ground wire attached near the flash socket. This can be unscrewed from the body to release the top completely.


This shows the rangfinder vertical alignment screw in case that's what you need. You can get to this screw through the holes under the flash shoe but I recommend sealing it once adjusted and that's done more easily with the top removed.

 

[monopix]

Hello @monopix!

Thanks for your detailed tutorial!
Unluckily, your pictures no longer display in your post.
Can you upload them once again?

Regards,

Done.