Bessa T - advance lever problem

[Benjamin Marks]

I picked up my trusty Bessa T last night only to find that the advance lever does not seem to be engaged with the film take-up spool. No ratcheting sound, and no movement of the film take-up spool on winding.

This was not precipitated by any sudden fall or anything like that. Any RFF'ers have experience with this? Do you send your C/V cameras to Stephen Gandy or others for fixing? This camera is about two and a half years old -- but very lightly used.

Any ideas?

Ben Marks

 

[pvdhaar]

I had something similar happen with an early T (serial nr 00003110).. I could turn the advance lever time after time, but the shutter wouldn't fire. At a certain moment it did say click and then every thing was completely jammed.

At that point, the repair involved the shutter, film advance and mirror housing.. My advice would be to send it in for repair now, and not break more stuff..

 

[pvdhaar]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, that happened after approx. twenty rolls of film.. After the repair, it's had about the same number of rolls through it again, so I'm really curious to know how well it holds up after being fixed..

 

[Shooter]

Boy, that's scary. My T is S/N 417. 😱

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Thx for the response. - Ben

 

[Benjamin Marks]

OK - here's a weird one: On a hunch, I put on the rapidwinder from my other Bessa T and wound the camera with it. Then, while winding with the winder, I advanced/tensioned the film advance lever . . . and guess what? Problem solved, at least for now. It doesn't give me a stunning feeling of confidence, but as long as I have the winder handy, I guess I can "fix" this myself the next time it happens. Bizarre.

BTW serial numbers on both cameras are in the 3,800-3,900 range.

Ben Marks

 

[pvdhaar]

Boy, that's scary. My T is S/N 417

BTW serial numbers on both cameras are in the 3,800-3,900 range.

Really makes me wonder how many (or should I say few) of these were made..

 

[Dougg]

Really makes me wonder how many (or should I say few) of these were made..

Yes, me too... Mine's in the 3900's, bought new three years ago. Don't use it much though. Mmmm, records for only 4 rolls...