Bessa R Self Timer Concern

Fedzilla_Bob

Fedzilla_Bob

man with cat
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Feb 20, 2005
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This evening after shooting flowers, I discovered that the self timer lever on my Bessa R was hanging loose. Just sort of sitting halfway between it's unarmed and armed positions.

Realizing that the set screw that holds it was loose I used pressure from my index finger and turned it as tight as possible. On checking the function of the lever, I found that the self timer now makes a ratcheting sound when I advance it to the armed position.

Is this normal? I have never had occasion to use it before.

Bob H
 
I don't think it's normal. I've never seen this happen to my R, though, admittedly, I don't use the self timer very much.
 
Since you said you only tightened it with your finger, try the proper screwdriver to really put it in it's place. It may be just slipping, if it's not really tight.
Best of luck.
 
need a Bessa Toolkit

need a Bessa Toolkit

I think they need to make one. I needed tools for my viewfinder, and it seems that Bessas don't stay as solidly in place as Leicas. Duh. 1/5 the price. But they are awefully nice though. I love mine.
 
Being a "tinker-er", I'd try a popsicle stick with two straight pins the correct distance apart. Perhaps dull the pin-points with a small file first?
I'm a cheap SOB - LOL.
 
I have a drafting divider, a small one, that might work. I can even dull the points with a small diamond file I have.

Sweet.
 
Ya' see. Great minds think alike. Even a cheap scribing compass might work, good idea :D
 
OK so The ratcheting sound is normal, cool. Knowing this makes me happier. My R is my go to camera, can't have it getting sick.

As for the screw, when I am able to fit a tool to it, I am going to use a litle thread lock, I dont want that to fall off while out downtown or at the Wild Animal Park.

Thanks to all!
Bob H
 
Fedzilla_Bob said:
This evening after shooting flowers, I discovered that the self timer lever on my Bessa R was hanging loose. Just sort of sitting halfway between it's unarmed and armed positions.

Realizing that the set screw that holds it was loose I used pressure from my index finger and turned it as tight as possible. On checking the function of the lever, I found that the self timer now makes a ratcheting sound when I advance it to the armed position.

Is this normal? I have never had occasion to use it before.

Bob H
Click to expand...

Bob, I want to dismantle the self timer of my Bessa R and am trying to find out if the centre screw is left-hand or right-hand thread. Do you recall?

By the way, an easy way to make a tool for screws like this is to cut a paper clip in half and hold the U-shaped piece in a pair of pliers.

Thanks,

Dez
 
I'm studying architecture, so I had an Alvin compass lying around that was convenient for a Campari-fueled tune-up on my Leica. Works in a pinch as a spanner (though as a former bike tech, I feel bad for not using an actual spanner...)
 
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