AGHH Bessa-T rangefinder not working

[nuckabean]

So I was using my Bessa today with my gorgeous new 21/4. After a while, I noticed that rangefinder wasn't coupling with the whole range of the lens's focus. I know it's not supposed to past ~1 meter but this was only coupling between about 10 meters and infinity. It was working the whole way before so I knew it wasn't just me. I took off the lens,tapped the cam with my finger to make sure it wasn't stuck on anything, then replaced the lens and it worked for about 5 more photos. Then the same thing happened and it's only going between 10 meters and infinity and I can't change it. I think the issue is with the connection between the cam and the mirror in the rangefinder, not the lens and the cam. Has anyone ever had this problem with any of their bessas? Should I try to remove the top plate and look at it myself or should I send it to Mr. Gandy or someone? If I sent it out, how much do you think it would cost?

Sorry for polluting the forums with my threads, but I really need help.
-Nate

 

[pvdhaar]

If the RF pick-up roller disengages at 10m and closer, there's probably some dirt in the mechanism. If you remove the lens, there's a spring loaded RF pick-up roller near the top of the mount. You might gently press it and check that it moves forward again without hitches. If it jerks or doesn't move OK, it's probably some dirt that interferes. If it does move ok though, the problem might be something more serious, like a disconnection between the mirror and the pick-up.. That would be time for someone experienced to have a look at it.

 

[nuckabean]

After testing and hoping I've sadly found that it's definitely not just dirt. Who would be a good person to send it to for repair? I really love this camera, but I only payed 150$ for it, and I'm not sure if paying cameraquest's 150$ CLA fee is in my budget for a camera that cost the same price, especially if I'll have to pay more for parts.

Please help! Who repairs bessas?

 

[pvdhaar]

I bought my Bessa-T new in early 2005 for something like 415 Euro. It needed a shutter repair after only one year of very moderate use. Fortunately, the repair was under warranty, so it didn't cost me additional money at that time. Looking back, even if it hadn't been for free, I'd have had no hesitation to have it fixed for money. The camera came back from the repair better than before, and has seen countless of rolls of film without a glitch ever since.

Don't mind that the repair is the same cost as the price of the camera, for a $150 fix, you still have a great camera that has no rival when it comes to RF magnification (1.5x)..

 

[nuckabean]

So I get my Bessa back from the repair man. Everything is working great, my pictures are sharp and focused, meter is accurate, and rangefinder is working. I shot 3 rolls with it and halfway through the 3rd THE SAME THING HAPPENED. Now the rangefinder is only coupling from ~10m to infinity. I have a warranty on the repair but I don't want to have to get my camera repaired every 2 weeks. Does anybody know what this could be?

 

[laptoprob]

When I had the Bessa T, I had something similar, the rf was completely stuck. It turned out to be dirt in the mechanism. There is a shifting, rotating element with very little clearance to another flat surface. This can easily get stuck.

Return the camera for warranty repair and insist on a proper job.