awbphotog
Well-known
Hey everyone. I'm new here and just got my first Bessa (R) in the mail a couple days ago. I'm familiar with rangefinders and I'm freaking out a little bit because of something I just noticed with my Bessa. I've been shooting with it the two days I've had it, and everything has been great. Today at school I picked up the Bessa (after not looking through the VF yet today) and I tried focusing it and the second RF image is not there. At first it was completely gone, and I thought that maybe this was due to the extremely specular light outside today (I thought maybe the RF was flaring out). I came inside and tried the same thing, focusing that is, and I can't see the second RF image. I haven't knocked the camera at all...it sleeps on my bedside table at night, I've had it around my neck otherwise. PLEASE help as this is my dream camera and I'm worried I'll have to send it in for repairs which I can't afford. I'm handy with camera repair and would be open to suggestions about opening the thing up and DIY'ing, I'm just unsure if this is the best route. Again, please help me. Thank you all in advance, RFF!
Andy
Andy
awbphotog
Well-known
After closer inspection at home, I've found the problem (I think). I looked into the smaller rangefinder window on the front of the camera and when shown in bright sunlight, I can see a small piece of seemingly broken glass obstructing the circular opening leading into the rangefinder system. What the hell?
Ken Smith
Why yes Ma'am - it folds
Obviously something broke. Or it was broken prior to you purchasing the camera and the damage now manifested itself. The damage could just be failure of adhesive that holds the glass in place. Personally I'd find out how to open the thing up, open it up and have a look see.
awbphotog
Well-known
Thanks, Ken.
Strangely enough, I think I may have solved the mystery. The camera came to me with a piece of tape covering the film counter window. Previous owner (who did not state this in the ad) admitted to forgetting to tell me about the flaw, stating that it was like that when he bought it from the first owner. I believe the 'piece of glass' is actually the film counter window, and somehow it's wedged itself into place in front of the rangefinder. It looks like I'm going to have to find a way inside in order to fix this. The only thing that came up regarding opening the R from the top was posted long enough ago that the attachments don't exist anymore. Does anyone here have information regarding the disassembly of the top cover for the Bessa R?
Thanks again.
Andy
awbphotog
Well-known
I was unable to figure out how to disassemble the wind lever, and when I went to look at the rangefinder window again, the film counter window piece had dislodged itself from view. Good to know I've got it in there, I guess. I'm still looking for a permanent solution to this, though the camera is functioning again normally. Even got in there for a quick RF alignment which helped gobs with focusing. Again, if anyone has any reliable information on how to properly remove the top cover, I'd be infinitely grateful. Thanks guys.
Andy
Andy
rog
Established
try this
try this
I found a short manual on photo net, which got it from RFF before, about how to adjust the rangefinder. Maybe it will give you enough room to pull out the piece of glass.
Good luck!
By the way, i have never done this myself, so don't know if it works
1 - Remove springy protector plate from hotshoe. At the front of the hotshoe, there is a small plastic tab sticking up. Insert a small flat screwdriver into the crack right behind it, and pry the plate backwards. Continue to jimmy it backwards until the tabs at the back of the plate that hook under are clear of anchor plate beneath. Now, figure out a way to compress the springy side leaves of the plate that are hidden under the rails, so that you can slide the plate forward and remove it from the camera.
2 - Remove anchor plate. Now you will see three philips head screws. Remove all three, using a proper sized screwdriver.
And if you actually need to adjust your rangefinder to go on reading:
3 - Make adjustment. Two holes are revealed a rear hole which contains a phillips screw (distance), and a front which contains a smaller flatblade screw (vertical alignment). If your RF doesnot match at infinity, adjust the rear screw first, because it seems to effect vertical alignment. Keep diddling with the screws until infinity is infinity, and the vertical images are aligned.
try this
I found a short manual on photo net, which got it from RFF before, about how to adjust the rangefinder. Maybe it will give you enough room to pull out the piece of glass.
Good luck!
By the way, i have never done this myself, so don't know if it works
1 - Remove springy protector plate from hotshoe. At the front of the hotshoe, there is a small plastic tab sticking up. Insert a small flat screwdriver into the crack right behind it, and pry the plate backwards. Continue to jimmy it backwards until the tabs at the back of the plate that hook under are clear of anchor plate beneath. Now, figure out a way to compress the springy side leaves of the plate that are hidden under the rails, so that you can slide the plate forward and remove it from the camera.
2 - Remove anchor plate. Now you will see three philips head screws. Remove all three, using a proper sized screwdriver.
And if you actually need to adjust your rangefinder to go on reading:
3 - Make adjustment. Two holes are revealed a rear hole which contains a phillips screw (distance), and a front which contains a smaller flatblade screw (vertical alignment). If your RF doesnot match at infinity, adjust the rear screw first, because it seems to effect vertical alignment. Keep diddling with the screws until infinity is infinity, and the vertical images are aligned.
awbphotog
Well-known
Thanks, Rog. My RF is accurate, what I need to do is remove the entire top cover including wind lever, shutter speed dial, etc. Thank you though!
Araakii
Well-known
that sucks. I hope you got a good deal on your body at least.
Hey everyone. I'm new here and just got my first Bessa (R) in the mail a couple days ago. I'm familiar with rangefinders and I'm freaking out a little bit because of something I just noticed with my Bessa. I've been shooting with it the two days I've had it, and everything has been great. Today at school I picked up the Bessa (after not looking through the VF yet today) and I tried focusing it and the second RF image is not there. At first it was completely gone, and I thought that maybe this was due to the extremely specular light outside today (I thought maybe the RF was flaring out). I came inside and tried the same thing, focusing that is, and I can't see the second RF image. I haven't knocked the camera at all...it sleeps on my bedside table at night, I've had it around my neck otherwise. PLEASE help as this is my dream camera and I'm worried I'll have to send it in for repairs which I can't afford. I'm handy with camera repair and would be open to suggestions about opening the thing up and DIY'ing, I'm just unsure if this is the best route. Again, please help me. Thank you all in advance, RFF!
Andy
If the 2nd RF patch is not there,
its my guess is that someone tried to adjust the cameras rangefinder
and screwed up
so badly that the rangefinder mechanism was damaged.
unfortunately for DIYS Bessa repair people,
that is not so uncommon.
Stephen
paradoxbox
Well-known
i can attest to the above (don't ask)
there is a particularly fragile part in the bessa RF design - the small mirror beside the beamsplitter - it's fine if you don't touch it but the moment you try to DIY the damage risk skyrockets
there is a particularly fragile part in the bessa RF design - the small mirror beside the beamsplitter - it's fine if you don't touch it but the moment you try to DIY the damage risk skyrockets