Queries on Bessa R4m and repairs

[ashfaque]

Hello,

I'm considering R4m for some wide angle lanscape and nature photography. If I remember correctly, I read some user reviews on BHPhoto that their R4m units were prone to light leakage during long exposure shots. Is this a common problem, or just something else?

Second query: Who would you recommend for CLA, other than Cosina? I'm thinking of few years down the line, since Cosina will stop producing the camera. There is also the factor of me, working various places around the world.

Bests,

Ashfaque

 

[kshapero]

CV Bessa cameras are as good as it gets for reliability. No hesitation on that. R4M's included.

Might help to know your location concerning future repairs. Certainly the chief in charge will be in the repair business for many years to come.

 

[mfogiel]

I imagine that light leaks could originate from the window showing you the type of film used if the foam gets flattened over time - a simple DIY fix is to put some black tape on it. As far as "repairs down the road" are concerned, I am expecting that Leica cameras will be still serviced for many years by someone else than Leica itself, and this is where you should send your Bessas as well.

 

[ashfaque]

Thank you both very much. 🙂

Akiva: I'm in Bangladesh now. But my work takes me to UK, Germany and EU countries. Getting stuffs from the USA is not an issue for me either.

Marek: Re the light leakage though the film-reading winder, that's what I thought. Then I read a user review (by Frederic) on BHPhoto, claiming that the light leak originates through the viewing/framing window during long exposure... Hence my query.

Bests,

Ashfaque