Bessa R is kaput... what next?

Bessa R is kaput... what next?

  • Replace the Bessa (and seek help in the darkroom)

    Votes: 25 67.6%

  • Perform a sell-off to fund a Medium Format RF

    Votes: 5 13.5%

  • Other (please explain below)

    Votes: 7 18.9%
  • Total voters
    37
  • Poll closed .
V

VTHokiEE

Well-known
Local time
6:53 PM
Joined
Nov 16, 2010
Messages
411
The clear plastic piece on my Bessa r above the shot number fell into the camera and worked its way into the shutter assembly and destroyed the shutter. I dropped the camera off with a repairmen, but after examining it he determined that it isn't cost effective to fix. This isn't a fault of the camera, I had time when I could have dropped it off with a repairmen to get the piece out; I was just naive and didn't realize how much damage it would cause.

So now I'm stuck in a quandry, I don't shot a ton of film so my darkroom skills are lacking and I haven't been able to get the results out of 35mm film that I frequently see here. I'm pretty happy with my medium format results (I get good results from my Bronica SQ-A, but that's not exactly a carry everywhere camera for me).

I have some other SLR cameras, but it seems to be a good point in time to reevaluate whether or not I should replace the Bessa or sell my LTM lenses (Canon 35/50 and potentially on my my Nikon SLRs) and pick up a Bronica RF645 or Mamiya 6/7.

I really enjoyed the RF experience and the size of the camera, but am frustrated with my results. What do you all suggest?
 
This same problem has happened to both of the Bessa R's I've owned. Luckily both pieces managed to fall out the bottom with the plate removed, but that still leaves a gaping hole in the top plate for dust, etc to get in. I covered my Bessas with clear tape and it's held for the life of the cameras. I'd say get another Bessa and just continue shooting.
 
Get another! One of the best cameras Mr. K dreamed up.

MF is great but it is more expensive to work with than 35mm
 
Alright, I'm convinced, I'll hopefully I can pick one up in the near future.

Next up: posting a picture of my Tri-X negs to find out what the heck I'm doing wrong.
 
If you are satisfied with MF, don't shot a lot of film and like RF, get some MF RF.
MF is much better in IQ, easier to scan and print.

R is nice camera in functions it has, but not as robust as others.
 
First find out why you are not getting good results with the Bessa R. Is it the RF focusing? Then I don't see how getting a medium format RF will help you. Once you figure it out ad decide you want to stick with an RF and go to Medium format, then I would think a Mamiya 6/7 would be ideal.
 
kxl said:
First find out why you are not getting good results with the Bessa R. Is it the RF focusing? Then I don't see how getting a medium format RF will help you. Once you figure it out ad decide you want to stick with an RF and go to Medium format, then I would think a Mamiya 6/7 would be ideal.
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It is my darkroom technique, why I don't really know, but I'm doing something which causes excessive grain in 35mm. My medium format work seems to come out just fine (well, I'm certain it could be improved, but I'm not disappointed with it). I'll move this discussion over the the proper forum shortly when I can show some examples.

Side note: Does anyone know if a dead Bessa R has any worth as parts? I didn't see any parts auctions so I'm guessing it doesn't. I'll probably just leave it with my repairman if he wants it though.
 
VTHokiEE said:
It is my darkroom technique, why I don't really know, but I'm doing something which causes excessive grain in 35mm. My medium format work seems to come out just fine (well, I'm certain it could be improved, but I'm not disappointed with it). I'll move this discussion over the the proper forum shortly when I can show some examples.

Side note: Does anyone know if a dead Bessa R has any worth as parts? I didn't see any parts auctions so I'm guessing it doesn't. I'll probably just leave it with my repairman if he wants it though.
Click to expand...

If it's the darkroom technique then yes, that can be improved. Post some images from your Bessa R, and ask away. There are a lot of folks here who can provide you with some possible answers. As for your current Bessa R - sell it on ebay as a parts camera - start the auction at $0.99 plus shipping and see what happens.
 
First, I think the Bessa R is a great value. I really like mine. To me, its much like the M6 in how I use it (please don't jump on me folks, I know they're different cameras in many other respects). I've noticed that the price for Bessa R's have gone up slightly over the last year or so. But still, they are a great value. I'd suggest getting another if you don't think the camera or format limitations are the source of your disappointment (I have some suspicions on that).

Second. Yes, there is some value in a parts Bessa.

I do hope you continue your film/print disappointment discussion here on RFF. An awful lot of friendly, knowledgeable folks here. I'll start off the hypothesizing -- really grainy negatives are sometimes the result of over-agitation during development, or sometimes a mis-match of developer and film. Someplace to start. We'd need more info, of course, to pin it down.
 
35mm is probably too small for your tastes; it only gets so "grain free," which generally doesn't involve any heroics.

i would do a sell off and move to medium format.
 
If you like MF, stick with it. But if you also enjoy shooting with RFs, stick with them. I had a Bessa for years, but it only wasn't until the past year that I really started getting stellar results with mine, but that was more my shooting technique and style, and not darkroom proficiency (though that improved astronomically, too, when I committed to shooting 3 rolls a week).

It sounds like your processing is the weak link and not the camera. Perhaps hold off on a new replacement, and keep shooting your Nikon for a bit until you decide if 35 is for you. My personal preference, after bouncing around a lot last summer, is Tmax in XTOL developer. HP5 was too murky for my taste in small format, and Neopan 400 was discontinued.
 
Takkun said:
It sounds like your processing is the weak link and not the camera. Perhaps hold off on a new replacement, and keep shooting your Nikon for a bit until you decide if 35 is for you. My personal preference, after bouncing around a lot last summer, is Tmax in XTOL developer. HP5 was too murky for my taste in small format, and Neopan 400 was discontinued.
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This is very sound advice, I may try it (GAS is so hard to fight especially when you've lost a piece of gear).
 
VTHokiEE said:
This is very sound advice, I may try it (GAS is so hard to fight especially when you've lost a piece of gear).
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If you like tmax, give Delta 400 a try in D76. That combo has the prettiest grain I have ever encountered. It looks like it was made by elves with stippling brushes.
 
Well, if Delta has grain made by elves, Silvermax has grain made by divine cherubs. If you want to ensure good results, use the Silvermax developer that's supposedly matched to the film Freestyle will sell you both.
 
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