jamais
Established
How much would be a reasonable price for a Bessa I? What should I be careful about on this specific model?
I am looking at this one:
http://basar.tirol.com/local/de/12/Detail/252068/
Thanks in advance!
I am looking at this one:
http://basar.tirol.com/local/de/12/Detail/252068/
Thanks in advance!
Uwe_Nds
Chief Assistant Driver
Well, at least the lens should be parallel to the body which it isn't in the pictures.
Cheers,
Uwe
Cheers,
Uwe
kuzano
Veteran
Looks not right....
Looks not right....
1) as noted by previous poster. It looks like the front standard is bent back. Some may say it's just not folded out all the way, but the gap in the hinge (see just in front of the body on the side standard) is fully closed, so the side frame is fully extended.
2) how much is it? Moot, if front standard does not go full upright, as it is NOT in the picture.
3) Do you know the Bessa I's are dual format. They will shoot two sizes of format.... 6X4.5 and 6X9. BUT they need a mask inside the camera to do so. The mask is missing most of the time. I have one which has the mask if you want to see a picture of what the mask looks like. When out, it is separate from the camera, explaining why so many are missing.
With the mask, you can get 15 frames of 645 on a 120 roll. Without the mask, you get 8 frames at 6X9.
I like the Bessa I because of the dual format.
I will also point out that the Vaskar lens which seems fairly standard on these is an OK triplet.
However, Bessa I's also came with an upgrade lens occasionally. That was the Color Skopar (sometimes in a compur shutter).
The best combo in the Bessa I is the camera, with the Color Skopar lens in Compur or Synchro Compur, AND the dual format mask. That camera will often sell for anywhere between $150 and $200 in good cosmetic condition with clean optics and a good shutter.
Also, if you get a Vaskar or Color Skopar in a Prontor shutter, NEVER, NEVER try to use the self timer. Not without a CLA on the shutter, or you will be forced to do a CLA.
I would give up to $75 for a Bessa I/Vaskar lens and no mask. I would pay up to $125, if the mask came along as well. But these would have to be clean, with no curling edges on the coverings and perhaps the leather carry case.
Good luck.
Looks not right....
1) as noted by previous poster. It looks like the front standard is bent back. Some may say it's just not folded out all the way, but the gap in the hinge (see just in front of the body on the side standard) is fully closed, so the side frame is fully extended.
2) how much is it? Moot, if front standard does not go full upright, as it is NOT in the picture.
3) Do you know the Bessa I's are dual format. They will shoot two sizes of format.... 6X4.5 and 6X9. BUT they need a mask inside the camera to do so. The mask is missing most of the time. I have one which has the mask if you want to see a picture of what the mask looks like. When out, it is separate from the camera, explaining why so many are missing.
With the mask, you can get 15 frames of 645 on a 120 roll. Without the mask, you get 8 frames at 6X9.
I like the Bessa I because of the dual format.
I will also point out that the Vaskar lens which seems fairly standard on these is an OK triplet.
However, Bessa I's also came with an upgrade lens occasionally. That was the Color Skopar (sometimes in a compur shutter).
The best combo in the Bessa I is the camera, with the Color Skopar lens in Compur or Synchro Compur, AND the dual format mask. That camera will often sell for anywhere between $150 and $200 in good cosmetic condition with clean optics and a good shutter.
Also, if you get a Vaskar or Color Skopar in a Prontor shutter, NEVER, NEVER try to use the self timer. Not without a CLA on the shutter, or you will be forced to do a CLA.
I would give up to $75 for a Bessa I/Vaskar lens and no mask. I would pay up to $125, if the mask came along as well. But these would have to be clean, with no curling edges on the coverings and perhaps the leather carry case.
Good luck.
Last edited:
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
I dislike the way the lens standard is bent backwards on this one - this likes one more of the "forced shut" Bessas. And these are generally not worth fixing, as it is near impossible to find a broken Bessa with a undamaged yoke as a spare. If you are lucky, the seller does not know how to open the camera - but he claims it is "from a collection", so I would not bet too much on him being that clueless...
If bust, I'd estimate a scrap value of 20€ for the Color Skopar, and another 15-20€ for the remaining spare bits - more if known clean and working, but that is rarely the case on a wasted camera. If you are not into camera restoration and generating spare parts for the same, it might not even be worth getting it for free - having it professionally fixed might be more expensive than getting hold of a working one...
Sevo
If bust, I'd estimate a scrap value of 20€ for the Color Skopar, and another 15-20€ for the remaining spare bits - more if known clean and working, but that is rarely the case on a wasted camera. If you are not into camera restoration and generating spare parts for the same, it might not even be worth getting it for free - having it professionally fixed might be more expensive than getting hold of a working one...
Sevo
FallisPhoto
Veteran
A reasonable price for a Bessa I would depend on the lens. A Bessa I with a Voigtar lens can probably be had for $20, with a little careful shopping. A Vaskar lens will probably raise the price to $50+. Skopars and color Skopars send the price through the roof; easily over $100 and closer to $200.
The one you are looking at has a Color Skopar -- the best possible lens. However, it looks like it is seriously damaged. This is not something that is easy to repair, either. If you can get it really cheap, as a parts camera, you might consider salvaging the lens and shutter so you could install them on a much less expensive Bessa that has a Voigtar or Vaskar lens; otherwise, I wouldn't bother with it.
The one you are looking at has a Color Skopar -- the best possible lens. However, it looks like it is seriously damaged. This is not something that is easy to repair, either. If you can get it really cheap, as a parts camera, you might consider salvaging the lens and shutter so you could install them on a much less expensive Bessa that has a Voigtar or Vaskar lens; otherwise, I wouldn't bother with it.
FallisPhoto
Veteran
looks like a straight forward fix to me, but i couldn't guarantee that over the net, the scopar lens is choice!!!...if you dont want it tell me what its worth! i might bring it back to life
That's not really an easy fix, Andrew, unless you are pretty darned good at auto body work. You'd be doing a lot of sheet-metal work to fix that and it still probably wouldn't look right. You might try it though; do you have the hammers and spoons you'd need?
jamais
Established
Thank you for your advices! My interest in folders has just started and I think my first one should not be an obviously defective one...
ZeissFan
Veteran
The Bessas are really wonderful cameras, but the problem (as classic camera Ivor Mantanle points out) is that the metal for the yoke is made of a pliable metal. As long as the camera is open and closed with care, you never have a problem.
But a heavy-handed or unknowledgeable user can easily push the metal out of shape, and that's the shortcoming of the medium format Voigtlander folders.
But a heavy-handed or unknowledgeable user can easily push the metal out of shape, and that's the shortcoming of the medium format Voigtlander folders.
FallisPhoto
Veteran
I guess I'm confusing the Bessa and Bessa I then.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
The Bessa line started in 1929. with a f/7.7 Voigtar, and was revamped about every second year. The Bessa I was released almost two decades and a world war later. A fairly large (but by no means complete) list and time line of Bessa folder models an be found here: http://www.cinci.de/unter_bessa.html
Whether it was a actual design change or merely rebranding, Voigtländer dropped the f/4.5 Voigtar and introduced the Vaskar in or immediately after the war, sticking to the Voigtar name only for the f/6.3. The Bessa I always came with a Vaskar or Skopar.
Sevo
FallisPhoto
Veteran
Without the hammers and spoons, you might be able to get it close enough so it works, but it's not going to look good.
W
wlewisiii
Guest
How much is the shop asking for it? I could use the parts to fix up my Bessa I.
William
William