I think I've a problem with my beloved Bessa R

[Marsopa]

Hi:

In many pics taken with my Bessa R (using mainly 50mm Nokton) appears some "bright" lines, like overexposed:

Do I have a problem?, what do you think?

Thank's in advance

 

[mike goldberg]

Hi... QUESTIONS:

What "lines" are you talking about?

Can we have film, lens and exposure data?

Thanks

 

[mpt600]

Are these pics from one roll of film? It'd be nice if it was just a defective roll.

 

[mike goldberg]

Hello again,
I just remembered; my excellent Bessa R, bought used, overexposed ISO 400 film when set on 400. So, I set it higher, like on 800 or 1000... and now it's right on.

 

[Marsopa]

It's an XP2 roll, other times I saw same effect of horizontal bands (same film), I'm refering to the "bands" clearer that cane be seen specially in the first and third pic (In the first it's clearly visible on the black door, there is a zone that is lighter... in the third I see two overexposed bands: one covers the knee of the baby and another is just a bit over the baby head, it visible in the baby chair and the chair in second plane)

 

[Jason Sprenger]

I see the over-exposed area as you describe.

Only after the film-related variables are eliminated, would I consider going after the camera though.

Shooting a roll of ISO 400+ color and having it processed commercially would likely tell you if the camera is really at fault.

If the problem persists there, check the camera seals and maybe have a technician look it over.

If not, there might be some problem in your film loading or development process that is the culprit.

 

[bmattock]

The Bessa R has a vertical-running Copal Square shutter. This looks like a shutter problem. You may find it only at certain shutter speeds. I'm sorry to say it, but I think that's what it may be.

 

[cmogi10]

 

[fuwen]

Horizontal line uneven exposure, so there is a problem with the shutter. If camera back light leaks should be vertical line.

The problem should be there if using shutter speed high than flash sync speed. I am not familar with XP2, is it a high ISO film? Otherwise hard to use 1/125 indoor from what I see from your photos.

 

[cmedin]

I see the over-exposed area as you describe.

Only after the film-related variables are eliminated, would I consider going after the camera though.

Shooting a roll of ISO 400+ color and having it processed commercially would likely tell you if the camera is really at fault.

If the problem persists there, check the camera seals and maybe have a technician look it over.

If not, there might be some problem in your film loading or development process that is the culprit.

XP2 is a C41 process black/white film, so I suspect it was processed commercially. I would say it's a shutter issue, and while the Bessa R isn't a bad camera for what it is (a relatively cheap rangefinder), there seems to be a rash of issues with them lately. (cmogi10 might not be far off the mark...)

 

[Marsopa]

OK, it seems a shutter problem... I'll try to do a test to see if it's only on a speed setting or in more than one, do you think it could be repared?