kb244
Well-known
Edit... it's going back, can't adjust the RF, the horizontal/vertical adjustment screws do nothing whether the lens is at 1 meter or infinity, previous owner only used ultrawides with it so was unaware of the focusing issue
As a companion to my Canon 7 (or would it be the other way around now?)
Pretty beat up, but gives it sort of a wabi sabi aesthetics, least the viewfinder/patch optics are clean and everything else seems ok.
Just a minor issue with the RF patch not aligned at infinity (when lens is locked to infinity, a chimney about 3 city blocks away is still a separated mirror image) so I'll need to look up how to calibrate the horizontal alignment.
Has a nice feel/weight compared to my Canon 7. I used to have a Canon P along with a Bessa T bout 10 years ago, but at the time I preferred the P.
Edit: Center screw (horizontal adjustment) seems to be too tight going clockwise, i.e.: I can't get infinity to merge.
As a companion to my Canon 7 (or would it be the other way around now?)
Pretty beat up, but gives it sort of a wabi sabi aesthetics, least the viewfinder/patch optics are clean and everything else seems ok.
Just a minor issue with the RF patch not aligned at infinity (when lens is locked to infinity, a chimney about 3 city blocks away is still a separated mirror image) so I'll need to look up how to calibrate the horizontal alignment.
Has a nice feel/weight compared to my Canon 7. I used to have a Canon P along with a Bessa T bout 10 years ago, but at the time I preferred the P.
Edit: Center screw (horizontal adjustment) seems to be too tight going clockwise, i.e.: I can't get infinity to merge.
kb244
Well-known
It seems that the center screw won't go anymore clockwise and this is the view at infinity lock on the lens. Turning the screw counter clockwise loosens it but has very little effect in the viewfinder other than slightly separating the double image and raising the mirrored image vertically.
The third screw at bottom (vertical adjustment) seems to have no real effect.
No clue what's up with the patch screw at top, it seems to either be missing or covered.
The third screw at bottom (vertical adjustment) seems to have no real effect.
No clue what's up with the patch screw at top, it seems to either be missing or covered.
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
congratz. Great cameras.
Regards
Marcelo
Regards
Marcelo
kb244
Well-known
If I can get it focused... so far I can't get it aligned to infinity on either of my lens (which are perfectly fine on the Canon 7 and film tested and checked for focus).
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
How about close range focus? does it get it near marks?
Regards
Marcelo
Regards
Marcelo
robert blu
quiet photographer
Hope you manage to get it to focus, it's an excellent camera I still use very much.
robert
robert
Jake Mongey
Well-known
Could it be the adapter? Youre using the canon LTM lens right, maybe the coupling isnt too good?
kb244
Well-known
1 Meter (~ 39.4 inches ) on the lens, focuses at 36 inches on the RF.
7 Meters (~ 22 feet ) on the lens, focuses at little closer than 15 feet on the RF.
7 Meters (~ 22 feet ) on the lens, focuses at little closer than 15 feet on the RF.
kb244
Well-known
The Bessa R is an LTM body, the R2 is an M-body.
Seems like I'm going to have to return it, neither screw does anything to the double image regardless if the lens is at 1m or infinity.
The previous owner only used ultra-wides with it, so he was unaware that there was any focusing issues.
Really sucks cuz I liked the feel and look of the VF and wanted a TTL metering RF companion to my Canon 7.
tbhv55
Well-known
This might be a little OT - but only slightly, since the thread is entitled "Just got a new-to-me Bessa R". I've just got a Bessa R, and it's my first foray into 'Bessa-land'.
I now need to get batteries, and the user manual says that LR44 or SR44 may be used. Is there any reason to prefer either one of these battery types, with regard to the Bessa R?
TIA.
I now need to get batteries, and the user manual says that LR44 or SR44 may be used. Is there any reason to prefer either one of these battery types, with regard to the Bessa R?
TIA.
nukecoke
⚛Yashica
My Bessa-R came with miss-aligned RF patch too and I adjusted it at home, now it is 100% in the right place. In my memory there will be moments that the patch doesnt move when you turn the screws, but after a certain points it started to move. I remembered I turned all three screws to make it right. It was a bit of fiddling and I thought I f* up in the beginning when I noticed the patch didn't move when turning the screws.
PS: Strangely for a rather popular camera, there are very limited information online about adjusting Bessa-R, e.g. removing top/bottom plates, adjusting RF patch, and so on. I'm not a repairman but I found the Bessa-R easier to handle, say than a Canon V, VI or 7 series RFs (It doesnt apply to the shutter unit repair).
PS: Strangely for a rather popular camera, there are very limited information online about adjusting Bessa-R, e.g. removing top/bottom plates, adjusting RF patch, and so on. I'm not a repairman but I found the Bessa-R easier to handle, say than a Canon V, VI or 7 series RFs (It doesnt apply to the shutter unit repair).
kb244
Well-known
Silver-Oxide are more expensive but they keep the same current thru the life of their usage (with the Bessa R should last around 2 years easily), but they have a shorter shelf life.
Alkaline (LR) are cheaper with a longer shelf life, but they gradually drop in current over its lifetime which *might* marginally affect the metering results near the end.
The batteries I got were Energizer 357, which is the same/size/voltage and are silver-oxide, I got two packs before receiving the camera since they were $7 or so per 3 pack and the camera needs two. ... which I'm not using now because the camera being sent back.
This was one of those "great deals", since the body and such was beat up and dinged, but for 100 it would be a real good deal if it worked. And the previous owner far as he knew worked, but he only used it with ultra wide lens, so was unaware of the focusing issue. I decided to return it because I was getting a bit tired of surprises, and it would be nearly impossible for me to get another Bessa R for under 200 from the look of the sales online. The seller immediately refunded me, even though I won't be able to get the camera out until Monday. One of those things I would consider an honest mistake on his part, especially since he hadn't used the camera in a long while.
While my Canon 7 does have quirks (frame lines not perfectly lined up with the capture, after I secured it in place it's about 15% more to the left than the frame line shows, and it's not perfectly parallel so I use the viewfinders edge for lining up straight) the focus is spot on. I mainly liked the easy to see RF patch on the Bessa R, very bright and a TTL meter is a plus along with it being half the weight of my Canon 7.
I ended up buying a Pentax MX fully CLA'd that included a SMC 28mm f/3.5 lens, since that would work with the three pentax mounted lens I already use adapted to my Olympus Digital (Pentax-M 50/1.4, Rokinon 85/1.4, Tamron Adaptall SP 90mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro), and I could use an SLR in conjunction with my Canon 7 for class, to use the lenses I wouldn't be able to do on the Canon 7. Plus I shouldn't in theory have any surprises with a body that's fully CLA'd.
I'll most likely try to get a Bessa R again, but probably not for several months since they're easily around the $300 mark. (though going to get ready to sell an industar-61LD, some Fujinon TV lens, and a fountain pen, then maybe I'll just do it then).
tbhv55
Well-known
Many thanks for the reply - when I read it, I realised that I knew this from a number of years ago, but it needed your post to jog my memory. It's an age thing...
Thanks again.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Here's a thought. Get an ultra-wide to use, and forget about the problem. You've already saved more on the original purchase than what it might cost for a decent 15mm.
PF
PF
radi(c)al_cam
Well-known
I support this idea; I'd use it with an adapted SLR-wide, I presume (such is my main use of my Bessa L).
newspaperguy
Well-known
Keep it, Karl.... you can't buy a decent meter for that price.
My R came with 'canted' frame lines, too. Live with it.
Seriously, how accurate do need the rangefinder to be?
Are you shooting a lot wide open?
Remember the old adage: f8 and be there!
Cheers, Rick
My R came with 'canted' frame lines, too. Live with it.
Seriously, how accurate do need the rangefinder to be?
Are you shooting a lot wide open?
Remember the old adage: f8 and be there!
Cheers, Rick
kb244
Well-known
Keep it, Karl.... you can't buy a decent meter for that price.
My R came with 'canted' frame lines, too. Live with it.
Seriously, how accurate do need the rangefinder to be?
Are you shooting a lot wide open?
Remember the old adage: f8 and be there!
Cheers, Rick
It's already been refunded, and getting an ultrawide that I would like would easily cost an additional 200-300+, I already have an external meter, main reason I got the Bessa R is because I wanted the TTL incident meter built in, brighter viewfinder patch, etc, and it would be half the weight of my 7.
I have an incoming CLA'd Pentax MX coming that will work with three of the lens I already use adapted on the digital.
PS: the frameline issue is on the 7, not the Bessa R. The 7's focusing is spot on after I adjusted it, I simply just compensate for the frame offset.
traveler_101
American abroad
My Bessa R cost me $189 plus shipping from Japan ($30) - bought it two years ago. It's in very good condition, but has the the same problem as yours - at least the RF is at off focus if the lens is locked on infinity. No idea whether it effects other distances - at least I get my pictures in focus. So far I have lived with it, for fear that trying to fix it will make things even worse.
I also have not found clear instructions for adjusting the RF focus. Did you just wing it or did you have a guide for how to adjust?
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Sorry to hear about the RF issues. I hope you don't give up on getting an R. I have one and I find it to be a truly unique experience; its like having an M6TTL that will only take LTM lenses. Really enjoyable and functional.
I only use silver oxide batteries for camera meters (unless it requires an old/odd battery). I like the discharge curve (doesn't everyone?).
I only use silver oxide batteries for camera meters (unless it requires an old/odd battery). I like the discharge curve (doesn't everyone?).
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
I use a single CR-1/3N 3V battery rather than either SR44 or LR44 batteries in my Bessa R. The SR44 will likely last longer than the LR44 but are usually a bit more expensive. The CR-1/3n battery is usually very slightly more expensive ( locally, about 1.98 each for SR44--just under 4 for the two you'll need-- vs just abit above $4 for one 1/3n) than the other batteries but you only need one. I think the 1/3n will last longer than the alkaline battery but not quite as long as the silver oxide battery. I started using the single 1/3n battery mainly because it is much less "fiddly" to handle. I've been using my R as my main camera for the last 8 or 9 years and have replaced the battery about every two years.
Rob