Bessa R4A - what to look out for

[jessestr]

Hi guys

I've been shooting with a Leica M8 / M6 / M4 / M2 & M3 previously (not at the same time). And I went out the rangefinder stuff because I didn't actually needed it for my kind of work (model photography) but I kinda feel the need for change. I would love to start to do documentary kind of work and I really want to have my rangefinder back.

I bought a Bessa R4A for wide angles. I bet the build quality is not at the same level of a Leica but whatever.

What I'd like to know is what should I look out for and NOT do with the camera. Example: I've read you may not try to advance the film when the shutter is still open? Is that true? Anything else like this?

Looking forward to shoot with it.

Thanks

Regards
Jesse

 

[mfogiel]

This camera generally works well, although I have had issues with the rewind crank blocking film advance when I was trying to wind in vertical position. I absolutely hate the way it tilts backward on the strap, so I've bought the grip and a single wrist strap for it. My advance lever starts not to snap back after the winding action, but mine is 7 years old.

 

[jessestr]

This camera generally works well, although I have had issues with the rewind crank blocking film advance when I was trying to wind in vertical position. I absolutely hate the way it tilts backward on the strap, so I've bought the grip and a single wrist strap for it. My advance lever starts not to snap back after the winding action, but mine is 7 years old.

Should be easily fixed by a CLA I guess?

 

[Huss]

I bought a Bessa R4A for wide angles. I bet the build quality is not at the same level of a Leica but whatever.

What I'd like to know is what should I look out for and NOT do with the camera. Example: I've read you may not try to advance the film when the shutter is still open? Is that true? Anything else like this?

I have the R3A, which is very similar. For this recent series of Bessas (R3, R4) the film advance thing I think is the only thing.
But here's what I don't get. You shouldn't try to advance the film on any camera when the shutter is still open! And I never have so while this is a good thing not to do, do people actually do that? And if so, why?

Anway, welcome back to RFs! And yeah my Bessa is built nothing like my Leicas, but it is a fraction of the price so why would it? I find it a most charming camera to use.

 

[mfogiel]

After 7 or 10 years of use, a Bessa feels more like it is ready to retire than to get CLA's, but no worry - a new one will cost less than a CLA on an M7...

 

[jessestr]

I have the R3A, which is very similar. For this recent series of Bessas (R3, R4) the film advance thing I think is the only thing.
But here's what I don't get. You shouldn't try to advance the film on any camera when the shutter is still open! And I never have so while this is a good thing not to do, do people actually do that? And if so, why?

Anway, welcome back to RFs! And yeah my Bessa is built nothing like my Leicas, but it is a fraction of the price so why would it? I find it a most charming camera to use.

Thanks! I don't know why you would. I never take long exposures either so. But you never know.

After 7 or 10 years of use, a Bessa feels more like it is ready to retire than to get CLA's, but no worry - a new one will cost less than a CLA on an M7...

I see. So you used it 7 years for every day or not too much?

 

[mfogiel]

It got used quite extensively. There is some external wear and the winding crank feels like it's had enough. Anyway, look at it this way: a Zeiss 21+25/28 set of finders will cost you more than the R4A, so this is a no brainer financially.