Bessa L Question

[JimG]

I got a used Bessa L today, put the batteries in, advanced it, pressed the shutter release, meter did not light up, pressed the shutter all the way the shutter is stuck. So I hooked up a cable release and the shutter works so does the meter but only with a cable release. I'm guessin' the shutter release button is no good? Will a soft release help? Do I need to send the camera in for repair? Anyone care to offer a suggestion please.

 

[wrenhunter]

Weird. I take it you know that the meter won't fire unless the film advance lever is in the "ready" position, e.g. pulled out a bit? Since you got the shutter to fire with the cable release, I bet you do, but just checking.

 

[JimG]

Weird. I take it you know that the meter won't fire unless the film advance lever is in the "ready" position, e.g. pulled out a bit? Since you got the shutter to fire with the cable release, I bet you do, but just checking.

Thank you David- No, I didn't know that. It works fine now. I knew somebody here would have the answer. That's a nice feature. I guess they designed it that way so it won't fire by accident.

 

[wrenhunter]

Jim, no worries, the same thing happened to me when I got my L last week. That's how I know!

I agree it's a cool feature. One reason why I hope to keep mine "in the bag" for daily use.

 

[Scarpia]

I bought mine new from B&H and the salesman could't figure it out either. This was three years ago. When I got it home a little reading of the manual solved the problem. Happy shooting.
Kurt M.

 

[Laurence]

I have a Bessa L coming next week. These are the little things that are nice to know. This looks like a nice forum. The web interface is nice too.

 

[JimG]

Actually I only bought this camera for the lens. The plan was to keep the lens and sell the camera. That was a big mistake, this camera is a pleasure to use and way to nice to let go of. Now I'm wondering what kind of results I can get with 50mm or longer lenses and smaller apertures. I think with a little practice and awareness of the DOF it would work well.

 

[Kyle]

After using the Bessa L for a while I forgot that the Bessa R doesn't have the same feature. I wasted a couple frames by being more careless than I should have been.

 

[wrenhunter]

Kyle, I have an R, too. I'll have to be careful of that.

 

[FPjohn]

Viso/Kilfitt

Viso/Kilfitt

Actually I only bought this camera for the lens. The plan was to keep the lens and sell the camera. That was a big mistake, this camera is a pleasure to use and way to nice to let go of. Now I'm wondering what kind of results I can get with 50mm or longer lenses and smaller apertures. I think with a little practice and awareness of the DOF it would work well.

Hello:

The L is ideal for the 25mm Skopar. It is also a natural (through the lens metering) for a chimney Viso 1 or a Kilfitt reflex box-a world of great glass awaits! Just my 2C.

yours
Frank

 

[RML]

I found that the L can sometimes be a little obstinate when it comes to firing. That's why I got the soft release. It turned out that pressing the shutter button not quite from the top could result in a pressed down button that wouldn't fire. A soft release eliminated that problem completely.

 

[wrenhunter]

Remy, nice one. I will remember to dig out my extra SR and put it on the L tonight.