Boggiz248
Newbie
Hi I don't know if this is a appropriate question for the forum. I bought a Bessa R from the classifieds on this site. When the camera arrived it did not work, you could not depress the shutter button and the film advance lever did not engage. I contacted the seller. He told me there is a locking mechanism on the Bessa R and I need to move the film advance lever out from the camera about the thickness of a finger for the shutter work. My reply was that I own two Bessa L , one Bessa T, and two Bessa R and the Bessa R did not work that way. The seller then told me to send back the camera and he would figure out how I broken the camera and how much money he would send back to me. I am asking for all my money including shipping and paypal fees So here is a quote from the seller on how the camera works " Bessa R does not have racheted film advance so you have to fully advance the film in one swing before you can release. Also, it appears to have a locking feature where it locks the shutter unless the advancing lever is in the position before wind but pulled a bit from the body (your finger between the body and the lever)."
I would like if other users of the Bessa R could tell me how their camera works and if anyone knows of a shutter locking mechanism on the Bessa R. I just want to resolve the situation and will use the info to show the seller how the Bessa R works Thank you for any help
I would like if other users of the Bessa R could tell me how their camera works and if anyone knows of a shutter locking mechanism on the Bessa R. I just want to resolve the situation and will use the info to show the seller how the Bessa R works Thank you for any help
gb hill
Veteran
I have both an R and a Bessa L. Only the L has the locking mechanism. A Bessa R will operate even without batteries.
Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
No locking mechanism on my Bessa R. Sounds like the vendor may need some improvements in his business ethics.
Cheers,
Dez
Cheers,
Dez
charjohncarter
Veteran
No locking on my 'R' either. But there is an internet 'fix' for this problem. It is simple but have to remove the bottom plate.
Also, I read, again on the IN, that you have to slowly advance film and NOT force the last frame on a roll to avoid this problem.
Also, I read, again on the IN, that you have to slowly advance film and NOT force the last frame on a roll to avoid this problem.
RayK
Member
No locking mechanism. Sounds like it's locked in between shutter cycles. Here is a link which might give you some info: http://nelsonfoto.com/SMF/index.php?topic=17503.0
vdonovan
Vince Donovan
Bessa R owner here. Yes, no locking mechanism. There is no way you can break an R just by advancing the film.
There is a known vulnerability in the R, which is that the film advance linkage can pop off the spool. This happened in transit when I bought my Bessa R about five years ago. I was about to return it to the seller (who agreed to a full refund, BTW), when he suggested that I try the bottom plate fix. It worked and I kept both the camera and my good opinion of the seller.
I *had* a little photo essay of the bottom plate fix posted somewhere, but I can't find it. It's easy, anyway.
There is a known vulnerability in the R, which is that the film advance linkage can pop off the spool. This happened in transit when I bought my Bessa R about five years ago. I was about to return it to the seller (who agreed to a full refund, BTW), when he suggested that I try the bottom plate fix. It worked and I kept both the camera and my good opinion of the seller.
I *had* a little photo essay of the bottom plate fix posted somewhere, but I can't find it. It's easy, anyway.
eric rose
ummmmm, filmmmm
That happened to me once when I was in a rush and depressed the shutter while winding. Jammed the R up solid. It's fairly easy to fix. I found a webpage that detailed exactly what to do.