Ditto: Received my Bessa R Today

[MCTuomey]

Alas, my luck escapes me. After strapping, mounting lens, installing batts, loading a roll, I noticed the framelines are badly misaligned within the viewfinder. Real cockeyed. Not shootable. Should have checked that first, I suppose, but I was so excited. Sent off note to Mr Gandy about next step. Discouraging on a new camera. I was hoping for better.

That bright viewfinder really is nice, though. That price really was too good to be true, I guess.

 

[back alley]

well that totally sucks!

 

[peter_n]

It does. 🙁 I feel bad for you Mike but you're not the only one. Allen Gilman went through two R3A's, and Finbred (formerly kneedropper) is on his second R3A.

Is the packaging OK? Take a look at the interior of the box near the bottom of the linked thread above. We're not talking quality here... 🙁

 

[MCTuomey]

Packaging is in fine shape, Peter. I've already repacked the camera and lens, matter of fact, as therapy. I think this is just another instance of those infamous Cosina quality control issues, as you noted. I'm starting to think I should just shoot my fixed-lens RFs while I just save for something better than Bessa. Patience beats disappointment every time.

Thanks for commiserating, you guys.

 

[peter_n]

Its funny because Japanese companies have an excellent reputation on the QA side of things. Lets face it, rangefinder cameras are precision tools and you can't get away with poor tolerances. I'm telling you that I'm now leery of buying CV (at least new CV)... 🙁

 

[back alley]

my cv stuff works fine and worked fine right out of the box.

joe

 

[MCTuomey]

Mr Gandy replied promptly this afternoon, indicating I should return it for full replacement. He's an impressive guy. I will do so, of course, and consider a refund vs replacement. My intuition about this model is not good. Whether it left the factory this way or took a jolt in transit (despite packing), I can't say. But either way, I'm getting that remorseful feeling ...

 

[peter_n]

Mike - Stephen Gandy is an honorable person. Before Christmas I sent him the full price of a lens that was about to be released. Then a couple of weeks later I got cold feet about the lens and asked him for a refund and he sent the full amount back without any questions.

Now I hadn't received the goods so my situation was different from yours but I would be surprised if he didn't do the same for you.

 

[Cloudy]

The QC of CV bodies and lenses are really suck ......
I bought some new and 2nd-hand CV bodies and lenses in Hong Kong and find that you must checked very carefully when buying NEW CV bodies and lenses. I started taking photos and buying 2nd-hand gears over 20 years, I mean I should have enough experience in buying 2nd-hand gears, however, I also needed to replace a whole new 35mm f/2.5 with the store (I overlooked something which shouldn't appear in new gears). 😱

 

[peter_n]

I bought a new CV 35/2.5 pancake from Photo Village just over a year ago and it was (is) perfect. So my experience is the same as Joe's - worked fine out of the box. But we are talking about stuff that is recently manufactured here. It seems to be different.

 

[MCTuomey]

FWIW, the CV 2.5/35 Classic that came with the R seemed fine to me, but of course no film was put through. It sure seemed like it would be a nice-handling, lightweight lens. Short-throw, with tab.

But re: the camera: You know how it is with anecdotal evidence. Until an "anecdote" happens to you, it's always the other person's bad fortune. I'm not feeling good about Bessa right now. An unusually high number of posters have had QC problems, at least it seems to me. And now I'm one of them. I had been thinking it's best to buy new - warranty, etc. Now, I'm thinking it might be better to buy used. The sellers on this forum are straightforward - why not just buy used right here?

I was out today and got a few shots in the cold with my Canonet. Glad she is here and looking good with her new wrist-strap. I think she needs a hood, though ...

 

[peter_n]

Mike I think you're talking sense. I had no problem buying used (an M6TTL) from a reputable dealer and the camera has been fine. You could buy a used R from someone on the forum (put a WTB thread out in the Classifieds forum and see if you get any bites) and you will be dealing with a known quantity at least in terms of experience with the particular camera body. I would have no hesitation is buying from someone who has been posting here for a while.

 

[FrankS]

I've got 2 Bessa R's, and would be willing to sell one for $200 in order to raise money for my own personal Leica-Quest. Let me know.

I'll pack well and offer a money back quarantee period.

 

[MCTuomey]

Frank, you're a gentleman and a scholar. Tell you what. I've got a note into Mr Gandy. If he is willing to refund rather than replace the R that I'm returning to him, I'll take you up on the offer straightaway. I'll let you know as soon as possible. What say? (If this is inappropriate "business" discussion, my apologies in advance. Please PM, if that's the right etiquette.)

Whatta forum!