Bessa R2A & Ultron 35mm/1.7

P

Peter

Guest
Dear friends,

I have just received my new Bessa R2A from Dr. Yao of Hong Kong. Great looking and handling camera that I feel should replace my R2 as the primary camera (I sold one R2 so now I have 2 R2s and 1 R2A). But I have noticed that the RF patch of the R2A is not at the centre of the framelines! Is this normal?

I have also noticed my hard used Ultron 35mm/1.7 has dust in the glass elements and I wonder is it necessary to send it for cleaning? Does anyone here send their lenses for regular CLAs?

Regards,
Peter
 
A little dust should not be of concern in a lens. Keep inspecting your negatives and prints, if you don't see any degradation of your images keep shooting the lens.

Sounds like the R2a may have a misaligned RF. I would call Dr Yao and discuss a remedy for that. A new camera should arrive perfect, not with a misaligned finder.
 
I just grabbed my R2A and looked through it. When the lens (Nokton 50/1.5) is at it's closest focus the RF patch is noticably off-center, to the upper left of the framelines. That's also where it resides with no lens attached. It's normal.. you may take a deep breath now!

(I was in a bit of a panic after I got mine about alignment stuff too, but all was fine :))
 
Thanks so muc guys for clearing up my anxiety! I thought my R2A is defective! Just got an e-mail from Dr. Yao, according to him the new Bessa cameras and RD-1 share the same RF design where the RF patch does not move with the framelines. The RF patch will be centred only at infinity. :)
 
Congrats on your R2A, Peter. My R2A's patch behaves likewise. It is also ever so slightly off-level, but this doesn't bother me. Something to fix at its first CLA ...

Have you tried the AE yet? I'm curious if you find it accurate. Sporadically, mine seems to overexpose about 1/2 - 1 stop on indoor shots.

I notice my 35/1.7 has a bit of dust, too. Doesn't seem to affect picture quality in my case. It stays on the camera so much a bit of dust is inevitable, I guess.
 
A tad off topic so please excuse me, I'm a little confused (no news there). Does the RF patch move with the framelines in other Bessas but not the 'a' series, I'm pondering an R or R2(a) and would like to know what to look for in this respect.
 
Not sure, Fred, since I don't have an R or R2. My other RFs, a Minolta Hi-Matic and a M4, have stationary patches. Perhaps Peter can help anwer your question.
 
Thanks Mango, I recon I'll go for an R for my LTM lenses, they've been ousted from my M system following some used M mount purchases, well 35 and 90 anyway. I'll check for some deals around on the body with a 50.
 
MCTuomey said:
Congrats on your R2A, Peter. My R2A's patch behaves likewise. It is also ever so slightly off-level, but this doesn't bother me. Something to fix at its first CLA ...

Have you tried the AE yet? I'm curious if you find it accurate. Sporadically, mine seems to overexpose about 1/2 - 1 stop on indoor shots.

I notice my 35/1.7 has a bit of dust, too. Doesn't seem to affect picture quality in my case. It stays on the camera so much a bit of dust is inevitable, I guess.

Thanks Mike! Initially it bothered me to see the RF patch off center in the frame. I guess I would have to get use to it. I have yet to run a roll through the R2A but so far my test of the light meter, compared with my R2 indicated comparable in terms of reading.
 
Something prospective R2A/R3A buyers should know. I just realised that my R2A could not use a MiniSoftRelease. It just will not completely screw into the cable thread.
 
yes, it is normal for the patch not to be perfectly centered. NO NOT REALLY. It just seems normal because so many of them are out of alignment. Key point : don't try to fix it yourself. I tried that and it was a mistake. Return it or have it professionally fixed. Trying to get in there to fix it is a nightmare that i still relive.
 
On my R3A it also does not screw in completeley but nevertheless I can use it.

Cheers
Thomas-Michael
 
thmk said:
On my R3A it also does not screw in completeley but nevertheless I can use it.

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

I was thinking that since the base of the soft-release is not in contact with the top of the shutter release, the shaft will be under lateral mechanical stress that could break?
 
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