R2A vs R3A Build Quality?

[exiled4979]

Hello everyone... I owned two Bessa R3, A and M, and both were pretty poorly built, rubber on both started peeling off after only couple of months, they weren't abused or left in the sun for days, framelines were pretty off on 50mm, and I had to re-adjust vertical alignment every couple of weeks... so, I'm now looking at R2a/m and people seem to be complaining a lot less, so if anyone could compare R2 to R3 from personal experience, I'd much appreciate it...

 

[Lss]

both were pretty poorly built, rubber on both started peeling off after only couple of months, they weren't abused or left in the sun for days, framelines were pretty off on 50mm, and I had to re-adjust vertical alignment every couple of weeks...

I can't compare the R2A to R3A, but as far as I know they are the same. I bought my R2A used, it arrived with a misaligned rangefinder which I have not had to re-adjust since. The framelines are close enough, I have not noticed any issues. The rubber cover started peeling off at some point on my camera as well. I later replaced it with a kit from cameraleather.com.

The only real trouble I ever had with the Bessa was when something broke in the metering/shutter button assembly. I had to switch it off and back on for every shot. The repair guy told me it was caused by pressure on the shutter button when the camera was switched off. Therefore I now keep the camera always on.

 

[Gainsbourg]

I've had a R3m for a couple of years now (bought it used) but it's still in good condition, only the paint is fading away on some corners and on the bottom plate... (though I have to admit admit I've been using it a lot less lately)

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I've had several Bessas, including my current R2M. They have been pretty much as reliable as my Leicas. Yeah, vertical alignment has to be touched up occasionally on the R2m, but also on the Leicas. My M4-P is a little off vertically right now, in fact. Other than vertical alignment, I've never had a problem with a Bessa. I'm not sure what the long term durability of the Bessas may be, but I had one of the original Bessa R's from when they were first introduced for years and never had a problem with it. Besides, I have never bought a camera worrying about whether it would still be going in 50 years. YMMV.

 

[literiter]

I have never held, nor for that matter seen up close a R2A or R3A. I have owned a used Bessa L to be used on my most excellent Heliar 15mm. The Heliar, Bessa L, R2A and R3A are made by the same people, Cosina I think. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

The Bessa L lasted about 2 months.

Since I didn't pay much for it I thought I'd repair it myself. Looking inside the thing was a real shock. Extremely poor manufacture! Mostly tin and plastic. The only saving grace was the price and at $75.00 (used) and at that, it may have been a little high. I threw the thing out.

I have since mounted the lens on a 70 + year old Leica IIIf and there it stays.

 

[exiled4979]

All together, I think Bessa R3a has decent build quality, not great, but definitely not bad. It's not so precise as M6, not the same feel, it's not Leica, but it's not junk either. It's still way better than most others. I'd says that the biggest problem is actually quality control, since I can see that some people got great copies, and some are really poor.

I was just wandering if R2 has same issues as R3, or I'm just really unlucky when it comes to R3 🙂

 

[sper]

I think the build quality is good enough for most people. I've had an R2a and R4a and I've never had a serious problem. I had to screw back on the rewind lever on the R4 but that's it.

Just keep it in a bag and don't buy rapid straps.

 

[chris00nj]

The only difference between the R3a and the R2a is the viewfinder.

I think the R3a is a well built camera by modern standards. It's not the tank that is a Leica, but it compares well to digital SLRs. It is an increase in quality over the Bessa R.

 

[rbsinto]

I just got my R2S the other day, so have no experience with them.
A number of posters have mentioned vertical adjustments to the rangefinder alignment, and I was wondering if this was something done by the owners, or was it a repair shop adjustment?
And if it is a Do it Yourself adjustment, how exactly is it done?
Please and thank you.

 

[exiled4979]

I just got my R2S the other day, so have no experience with them.
A number of posters have mentioned vertical adjustments to the rangefinder alignment, and I was wondering if this was something done by the owners, or was it a repair shop adjustment?
And if it is a Do it Yourself adjustment, how exactly is it done?
Please and thank you.

I always did it myself, it's really not that hard or complicated on Bessa R3A/M... you can find detailed instructions here:
http://www.arransalerno.com/blog/bessa-rangefinder-calibration/

but long-story-short: you need small screwdrivers, take out that cover on hot shoe, than the hot shoe itself, and that will give you access to 3 screws inside the body, one for vertical alignment, one for horizontal and one for RF patch focus... depends on particular kind of misalignment, it can be just a half turn job, but it can also take some time to align everything... just don't lose the screws or the patience 🙂

 

[rbsinto]

I always did it myself, it's really not that hard or complicated on Bessa R3A/M... you can find detailed instructions here:
http://www.arransalerno.com/blog/bessa-rangefinder-calibration/

but long-story-short: you need small screwdrivers, take out that cover on hot shoe, than the hot shoe itself, and that will give you access to 3 screws inside the body, one for vertical alignment, one for horizontal and one for RF patch focus... depends on particular kind of misalignment, it can be just a half turn job, but it can also take some time to align everything... just don't lose the screws or the patience 🙂

Thank you so much for this information.

 

[floyd]

Not unique to Voigtlander

Not unique to Voigtlander

I had the same peeling problem with both the X1 and M9, whilst they were repaired by Leica its not what you would expect from a premium brand. It seems these problems occur regardless of manufacturer. I've two Bessa L's which have never given any problems I sometimes think I comes down to luck.

 

[exiled4979]

I had the same peeling problem with both the X1 and M9, whilst they were repaired by Leica its not what you would expect from a premium brand. It seems these problems occur regardless of manufacturer. I've two Bessa L's which have never given any problems I sometimes think I comes down to luck.

I never thought it's unique to Voigtlander, but the thought that it may be unique to R3 did cross my mind... I had 2 samples with serious peeling issue, and a friend of mine has one too. Since I'm considering adding another body to my bag, I guess I was just hoping that R2 was better 🙂

 

[wotalegend]

I have an R3A, an R, a T, and 2 L's, all of which I have had for some years. They all work perfectly and have never had any issues at all. Nothing has peeled, broken, or fallen off any of them, and on those which have rangefinders they are still in good alignment. Like any camera, whether they be a Leica or a Holga, if they are treated with care and respect they will last a lifetime.

 

[exiled4979]

Like any camera, whether they be a Leica or a Holga, if they are treated with care and respect they will last a lifetime.

now, this is the interesting part... both my R3As were treated with care! Used, not abused, never left in hot car and direct sunlight for days, or even hours, never splashed or anything, just handled like any other camera I had... but, shortly after the purchase, like 2 months after, rubber started to peel off, and I can accept that one camera may have been faulty, but both of mine plus a friends one? And given that a lot of other users have same problems (not all, but a lot), I think there is more to this than just care or coincidence... My first M6 had light leakage, my nikon f5 had tilted viewfinder, it's not that this is just voigtlander problem, it happens, but, it seems to happen a lot more to R3a/m than R2, so I was asking for others experiences in comparison...