Need help with Bessa R3A

[SlowWalker]

Just got brand new Bessar R3A
Inserted batteries as instructed, wind the film advance lever ... and nothing: no LED is lit in viewfinder, shutter release doesn't respond.
Any idea?

 

[kshapero]

Maybe they are upside down. maybe there is a transparent cover inside. Maybe switch is not on, I hope camera is ok. These are great cameras. Good luck.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

The batteries go in the other way round compared to my other LR44 camera and I made the same mistake new out of the box.

 

[kully]

What Jon and Akiva said, I made the same mistake 🙂

 

[SlowWalker]

well, turned them other way round -- no change
should it switch on with no film inside?
film advance lever now stuck (after fisrt wind) -- can this be a problem? can it be released somehow?

 

[oscroft]

I've occasionally had new batteries that are completely dead - the first thing I'd try would be replacing them. (Second thing actually. The first would be to check the camera is switched on - there's a sliding switch on the front of the shutter release housing)

 

[wgerrard]

should it switch on with no film inside?
film advance lever now stuck (after fisrt wind) -- can this be a problem? can it be released somehow?

My Bessa needs film before the LEDs appear. The film advance lever should be OK then, as well.

Just remember not to cock the shutter when you store the camera because that will leave it on. Pressure on the shutter will turn on the LEDs and drain the batteries. (EDIT: Mine's an R4M with no shutter release switch, so that last bit may only apply to manual Bessas.)

 

[SlowWalker]

thank you all for comments
gonna get new batteries first
as to film, i can not insert it with stuck film advance lever
will keep you informed on my progress later on
🙂

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Also, take the lens cap off so the light meter can see the light and close the shutter and let you wind on.

 

[wgerrard]

Try pushing the film rewind button and see if that allows you to complete the film advance stroke.

 

[SlowWalker]

YES! lens cap was on 🙂
I was silly enough
now it works
Thanks Jon

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Have fun with it now.

It's a great camera, so use it to make photos and show us what you've got.

 

[minoltist7]

YES! lens cap was on 🙂
I was silly enough
now it works
Thanks Jon

Be careful with it... when you pull the release with cap on in Aperture priority mode (R2A/3A), it will trigger a long exposure (not sure, 1 or 2 sec). DO NOT try to advance lever until you heard the second "click" - otherwise shutter "lockup" may happen.

Wish you be happy with your new toy 🙂 . And many beautiful shots!