Bessa I Exposure Lock Repair ?

[MEPienta]

Hello,

I just received a Bessa I Camera that won't fire because the double exposure lock will not release when the film is advanced.

Any ideas of a simple fix or suggestions?

Thanks for your time.

Michael

 

[rjbuzzclick]

I have a Bessa I, but it works fine so I can't help you there, but maybe this will help... I did have a Zeiss Ikon Nettar 6x6 folder where the double exposure lock was worn to a degree that it was possible to trip it without the shutter cocked, so you would have to either use a cable release on the lens, or advance the film, wasting a frame. I took the top off the camera and it was fairly easy to remove the mechanism entirely. It was just one long flat metal arm and one spring that came out with just one screw. I would expect that the Bessa I's mechanism is similar.

 

[Ken Smith]

It could possibly be just in need of cleaning and re-lubing. Pop the top and have a look see.

 

[MEPienta]

Thanks for the reply's. I got a quote of $60-$75 or the fix and shipped the camera off for repair. This camera is too nice for my typical DIY mistakes and I wanted to get the shutter CLA'd, focus at infinity calibrated, and a general "once over" to make sure the camera works up to it's full potential.

Michael

 

[rjbuzzclick]

They're very nice cameras, you'll enjoy it. Here's a couple shots from my Bessa I: