Bessa R - lenses

[jesse1dog]

This is probably a dumb query. I feel I have seen the answer in another thread but now can't get a handle on it.

I know I can use collapsable lenses on the Bessa R.
However can I collapse them without damage?

I suspect the answer is that I can't, but would like confirmation or otherwise.

Thoughts and experiences please.

I've been trying Jupiter lenses so far to check focus etc but as I have just got a Summar I wondered how I could use it.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

While I don't have a Summar, I have an LTM Summicron that collapses without hitting anything inside the Bessa R. What might be useful to you is how I determined if it could collapse safely.

I checked it by setting the shutter to B and using a cable release with a screw lock. With the back open, the cable release allowed me to have the shutter stay open so that I could see the back of the lens move into the camera. Of course, I did this slowly and careful as I had no interest in scratching the interior.

 

[jesse1dog]

That's useful!

That's useful!

I checked it by setting the shutter to B and using a cable release with a screw lock. With the back open, the cable release allowed me to have the shutter stay open so that I could see the back of the lens move into the camera. Of course, I did this slowly and careful as I had no interest in scratching the interior.

That's what I call really useful. Of course it's all so obvious when you know how!! Thanks Jason.

I'll leave things to when we have some daylight at this end and then put on my glasses and have a go. Looking out for a cable release that I knew I had somewhere I discovered my OLY 1 and OLY 1n together with a Pen D and a broken Pen F. Done me another good turn there too.

 

[jesse1dog]

Found the reference

Found the reference

Just looking for details of the R2 as against the R Bessa models I went to the Cameraquest website - after all they/he is the CV dealer. The information there on the complete camera range I found both interesting and informative. I realised I had 'been there before' when I found details of collapsable lenses that will and wont fit.

Here's a direction to the pages for the Bessa R.

http://www.cameraquest.com/voigrf.htm

This is possibly 'end of thread'.

 

[rxmd]

Actually http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtBR2.htm has a more detailed description than the page you linked to.

I use an Industar 50/f3.5 on my Bessa R and put some rubber bands around the end of the barrel to stop it from collapsing fully. However, the rubber leaves a residue on the barrel, so I would suggest using a plastic cable clip instead. (I found this out when I got a Zorki 1d this Monday [thanks, Jobo 🙂] and tried to remove the bands that had been there for a year or so.)

Philipp

 

[jesse1dog]

What does it touch?

What does it touch?

Actually http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtBR2.htm has a more detailed description than the page you linked to.

I use an Industar 50/f3.5 on my Bessa R and put some rubber bands around the end of the barrel to stop it from collapsing fully.

Philipp

Just what does the Industar touch in the body that it needs the plastic band? Or is this just a precautionary measure?

 

[markinlondon]

Just what does the Industar touch in the body that it needs the plastic band? Or is this just a precautionary measure?

Collapsible lenses were largely designed for cameras with cloth shutter blinds. The Bessa's metal Copal shutter needs double curtains to make it light-tight, this adds depth to the shutter assembly and reduces the clearance for collapsible lenses. You don't want to run a brass lens barrel into an aluminium shutter blind. Also, Bessa's like some more recent Leica bodies have things like metering sensors sticking up into the dark chamber, these may also foul the lens barrel.