Bessa 1936 RF adjustment

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Hi,

Long time ago I acquired a Bessa 1936 6x9 RF. I have never used it since its rangfinder was and still is way out of sinc. Anyone any experience in getting this one adjusted?

thanks

 

[chubasco]

Ron, I have the same problem with a 1937 Bessa E model, here's couple pics:

The two mirrors are out of alignment on the vertical plane but is still usable focusing on the horizontal plane, just really unsettling looking out through the
viewfinder...

I'm currently shooting a roll through it to see what comes out. If it's a bunch
of throway pics, I'm going to send this to certo6 for a complete refurb plus new
leather covering. Bought this cam on ebay for $82.50 and has the Helomar lens.

Bill

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

hello Chubasco,

Thanks for your response. my model looks the same, beit with a yellow filter. Further I have als o a Bessa II which I have to check but seems alright (anyway it looks fine since it is almost mint). I paid $375 for the Bessa II and $100 for the Bessa RF 1936.

Specs:

Bessa RF 1936: Skopar lens, compur rapid shutter
Bessa II 1951: Heliar lens, synchro compur shutter.

Here is a picture of the two sisters:

 

[Solinar]

If you are lucky, you may only need to adjust the focus wheel by just a tad. To loosen the two screws that retain the focus dial - you must first remove the DOF scale - which is held in place by a single screw that is accessed inside the camera above the holder for film spool.

The photo below shows a Bessa II.

 

[Solinar]

A closer wheel of the focus wheel, once the DOF scale has been removed.

 

[Abbazz]

I paid $375 for the Bessa II and $100 for the Bessa RF 1936.
Specs:
Bessa RF 1936: Skopar lens, compur rapid shutter
Bessa II 1951: Heliar lens, synchro compur shutter.

Where did you get a mint Bessa II with Heliar for $375? Pretty please, all these unfortunate souls on RFF are begging to know :angel:

Cheers,

Abbazz

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Andrew, thank you very much for the clear explanations, I will try on the 1936 RF.

Abbazz, I bought the Bessa II from a nice Belgium couple who owned it many years 😉 .

Greetz from Holland
Ron

 

[Solinar]

Andrew, thank you very much for the clear explanations, I will try on the 1936 RF.

Ron, this only works if you are off a smidgeon because the focus wheel has moved due to rough handling. Adjusting the gear shaft under dial also changes the extension of the focus arm - which moves the position of the lens.

Before starting do check the collimation of the lens with the dial set to infinity. You can do this by taping a ground glass to the film plane and view a distant object as you would a with a large format view camera.

If you feel that the focus at infinity is spot on at infinity before removing anything, then you'll have to remove the top cover to get to the RF arm that has an adjusting screw that is a pain in the behind to adjust.

If the focus is off with the camera as is at infinity, then you can try just adjusting the focus wheel.

 

[Solinar]

Oops - I posted the wrong image.

 

[Solinar]

An easier method to checking the lens collimation at infinity is to use the back focusing method. To do this you'll need an SLR with a long focal length lens. Both lenses need to be at wide open aperture and set the lens of the SLR to infinity.

Back Focusing Method

Both cameras are set to B - open shutter. Once you find the correct infinity focus put a reference mark on your Bessa.

 

[chubasco]

Thank you Andrew, these last pics are most useful!🙂

Bill