Bessa R3A rangefinder adjustment

[tomperson]

Hi all!!!

Less than a month ago I bought a Bessa R3A from B&H. The camera is lovely, but as many people has already experienced, it came with an off rangefinder patch (infinity focus and vertical position out of alignment). I'm so frustrated with having a brand new camera with the rf patch off. And it was bought in the US (B&H) but I live in south america, so it's a royal pain sending it back to get it fixed.

So, I investigated on this, and came accross Arran Salerno's instructions for rangefinder adjustment http://www.arransalerno.com/blog/2008/08/01/bessa-rangefinder-calibration/.

They are definitely the best out there.


I managed to get the cover off. I wouldn't have imagined the adjustment screws were so deep inside the body, though. The thing is, I wasn't able to fix the infinity focus (it's quite off), as the screw was so tight, and I'm worried about breaking something inside as i've read on many places that the whole mechanism should be handled delicately.

I have a couple of questions. Do you know which movement (clockwise, counterclockwise) moves the patch to the left or right? How much is it necessary to move the screw to actually see a difference? (1/4 of a turn, 1/8 of a turn, etc). What size screwdriver are you using to move the infinity focus screw? How "delicate" do I have to be? I mean, i haven't been able to move the patch so either I'm being too delicate, or the screw is too tight or something like that.

Any input will be highly appreciated.-

Thanks.

PS: Sorry for the cross post with the forum "general repair", I wasn't sure were to post this...and this one seemed appropriate as well.

 

[Dibs]

I had the same problem. I have used some old small screwdriver that just fited perfectly. You dont need to be to much delicate, but don't try to do anything with too much force. I have done this 2 times because first time patch was inacurate. For me 1/4 of a turn was enough but be carefull when putting safe plate back again. When it's on again patch tends to go off aligment again so make sure to leave same space for that error when adjusting.

 

[ethics_gradient]

My R3a came with a slight vertical misalignment (purchased secondhand). The horizontal/infinity were accurate so was still usable, but still a bit annoying. I wanted to get it fixed, but a tech recommended to me here quoted $120, which seems a bit steep given the work involved. I tried realigning it myself (following a different, less helpful set of directions) but had no success... I could fiddle with the horizontal alignment screw no problem, but it seems impossible to get my screwdriver in to the vertical screw without removing the top plate, given the angles.

Since then I've gotten a new, nicer set of tiny screwdriver attachments for other projects, and reading this thread reminded me to give them a try on the Bessa. One of them fits perfectly in the vertical adjust screw, and a couple minutes in the front yard later it's now in perfect alignment. Will need to get some locktite later in the week to seal the deal, but great knowing it was just a matter of having the right tool for the job!

For anyone curious, I used the screwdriver and one of the flathead tips from this screwdriver set. The quality of the set isn't amazing, but it's so far acceptable and proved very useful for little camera repairs and DIY projects.