Jammed bessa L

[savuti]

I thought this would never happen to me..... I know there are threads on stuck L´s, just cant´t find them. Anyway, I can´t push the film forward lever, and shutter button is stuck. Can I fix it myself, or do I have to send it across the pond to Cameraquest?
Thankful for useful links or a how-to-do-it/walkthru.
Olav

 

[vdonovan]

Hi Olav, I had exactly the same symptoms on my R. I don't know if the mechanics are the same as your L, but it's worth a try since the fix was very simple.

Turn the camera over and, with the lens opening facing you, remove the bottom plate. There is a long metal linkage that runs from the center of the camera to the right. Follow that linkage to the right and make sure it is properly seated. If it's not, it will pop in will a small amount of pressure.

Photos:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=7254

 

[savuti]

Thanks, it worked!

Thanks, it worked!

Thank you very much!
Olav

 

[raid]

WOW! This is good advice. If this happens to my L or R I will know what to do.

 

[ZeissFan]

The L is very cheaply made. Lots of plastic, which is evident as soon as you touch it.

It's fine for what it does, but I wouldn't rate it as especially reliable or durable.

 

[LKeithR]

Same thing happened to my Bessa L; it jammed and I could neither trip the shutter nor advance it--the same fix got it working again. Thanks for the tip...🙂