Any Luck Repairing a Bessa R?

[Im_leary]

The last Bessa I own (a 2003 vintage R) has developed the stuck-shutter syndrome. Low shutter speeds stay open until I turn the shutter speed dial, but higher shutter speeds (above 1/125) seem to work fine. I can't remember if I bought this one from Photo Village or Camera Quest so I called both...looks like a $350++ repair bill from either shop. The biggest problem, according to Photo Village, is the camera must go back to Japan for the repair. I have a problem with this. I have had several of my other camera's shutters repaired...from two cranky old Contax II's and a Leica IId to my (relatively) new Leica MP. In every case the repair was less than $300.

So, I have two questions:

1: Does anyone know of a shop, anywhere in the world, with access to Cosina parts and service expertise, where the average repair cost is not the same as the price of a new camera?

2: Assuming no favorable answers to #1: When will Cosina provide a full-service, reasonably priced, repair facility in the US? I am not asking for a "Factory" run shop, a la Nikon, just a "Factory Authorized" (meaning supported with factory provided parts and literature) repair shop that can provide repair service for less than the cost of a new camera.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I believe, but am not 100% positive, the shutter is the same as used on the el cheapo Nikon FM-10. Almost every local camera repair person has a supply of broken FM-10 parts donor cameras on the shelf. They should be able to swap the shutter for a minimal cost.

 

[bucs]

It's cheaper to buy a used one.

 

[Im_leary]

Bob,

Many thanks! At least I have a ray of hope for this thing. I asked Stephen if he would like to have it for parts...he said he would pay for the postage. At least there is a chance I may be able to get it fixed.

As for a used one, I doubt that very much. As I alluded to in my first post, this is the last of several. I sold the "second last" one on eBay because it had a flakey low-exposure LED. It started to stay on all the time, but at a much lower intensity than normal. The meter still worked, but if the other two were off, you simply assumed it was telling you the settings will yield an under exposed shot. I did ask about a repair. As you may have guessed the reply was, "...back to Japan for about $300". I got $135 for it on eBay, with the malfunctioning LED.

Thanks again,
LEO

 

[CameraQuest]

Steve's Camera Repair in Culver City California is an excellent repair facility.
Try them, not only for Bessas, for most any camera repair.

Stephen