CV Bessa's seem to very reliable

I recall there being an issue with the earlier models about jamming the shutter if you wound the film too quickly after tripping the shutter (?). Guess Cosina got it corrected.
 
Mine have been very reliable. They don't have that "hockey puck" feeling you get when you heft a Nikon F, but the two I own (T&R) have done quite well.
 
I've been using a R3a since 2009. Dropped it once (slipped out of bag falling about 6-8 inches to concrete ground) and have since kept working. It really is the best new RF bang for the buck out there. A camera for a photographer who just wants to take photos with a Range Finder camera without the notion of using the best of the best and that cost most of the most ($) :rolleyes:
 
Great cameras but not reliable for me. Went through a few R3A's... all had to be replaced under warranty. RF would always go out of alignment too which I found really frustrating. Anecdotally, the M's were supposedly built better... I'd love to try one sometime.
 
The RxM line may be more reliable in this respect, but I did have to get my R2A repaired some time ago due to some plastic parts breaking in the shutter release mechanism. I had the camera in my bag, and something ended up pressing the shutter release while the shutter release lock was activated. Apparently, that caused for something to break. When this happens, you can still use the camera, but you need to switch it off and back on between every exposure. It will also drain batteries quickly. After getting the camera fixed I just stopped using the lock. According to my repair man that should solve the problem. I never had a look into the mechanism myself, so can't tell for sure.
 
My R was great while I owned it. Never had a single problem... mechanically. It was just too light and cheap feeling in my hands. The film advance was also too light for my liking. Granted these are all personal preference. But I would love to try one of the newer models as I hear they have much more heft to them.
 
What I like about the Bessas is that they are cheap workhorses (as far as rangefinders go). I end up taking more exciting photos with them, because I am less afraid to break them (the reason I sold my M8). Make no mistake, I actually think they are tough, they feel more solid than an Ikon or CLE, but the prize helps too. For the prize of one Leica you could get several Bessa matched to the focal lengths of your choice. The only reason I often take the CLE is the size, and I could imagine getting an Ikon for the looks and lighter weight, but in terms of picture taking, I don't see a better deal than a Bessa.
 
I have a Bessa R which has been fantastic and totally reliable so far!

I have an Epson R-D1 which unfortunately has a major RF problem despite just getting it - the RF image has almost disappeared, and it has alignment issues at infinity. Sending it to Epson to get an estimate, luckily I live in Japan so it's close by.

I like the build quality of both cameras though! The RF alignment is the weak point, and may be a result of a bad repair in the past (i.e. repairman didn't lock down the adjustment screws).

I think I'll go out and photograph some stuff on my R today!
 
My experience is that my Bessa R has had some issues with rangefinder alignment, which I adjust myself from time to time, and I find the exposure meter can give false readings occasionally. My R3A has been faultless and flawless. My guess is the Bessa's are getting better with every new issue. The R3A, and models after, may be just perfect.
 
I agree that Voigtlander is a really good buy.

I bought my Bessa T second hand, but virtually new, for around $225. It's a nice camera; I particular like the LED meter readings displayed on the camera body. It is about as simple to use as you can get. It's a lot of fun to shoot with, especially when teamed up with a nice viewfinder. The RF is great: 1.5 magnification and a built-in diopter, great for a spectacle wearer such as myself. The camera is easy to load; the film advances easily and quickly. No problems.

My Leica IIIf has a bit more to fiddle with, one has to squint through the viewfinder, the lack of diopter correction makes the RF harder for me to use, and then you need a hand held meter. However, the Leica is ultra portable and it's quality--the pleasure of the mechanism--well, there's no comparison. The Bessa body feels solid enough but the knobs are plastic.
 
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