R3a lightmeter stuck

[dar]

Hi all,

my lovely R3A lightmeter got stuck! In mode "A" when I turn the camera on and I lightly press the shutter release it indicates the time, which is good, but even if I change the aperture, or I point to brighter/darker areas it does not change. Moreover the time does not disappear after the usual 5-10 seconds but it remains until I switch the camera off.

The shutter was cocked. I tried and shot the frame and the problem was solved. But it happened again several times and likely will. Guess it is something in the shutter release rather than in the AE lock button. But I don't want to waste a frame every time. Have any of you got a clue? need fixing? I am in Tchad now, working for an humanitarian agency, not so easy to find a lab (even food actually!).

Thanks,

David

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Can you develop a film and see if it is shutter speed indication or shutter speed actuation that is at fault?

Also, can you set it in manual mode rather than automatic and get a meaningful readout and exposure?

You may need to sunny f16.

 

[clintock]

What happens if you turn the camera on and off with the shutter release collar or remove/replace the batteries to turn it on and off? Could the batteries be getting low?
I hope not, I'm sure if food is hard to obtain, batteries will be impossible! I can mail you some if you suspect the batteries are weak- I 'taste' the batteries to check them if there is no other way. The border of the plus and minus areas on the cell reacts with one's tounge if the cell has any charge in it.

 

[dar]

Thanks Jon, I did not think it might be just a problem of the indication, it would be enough to listen to the sound the shutter does. I'll try next time it get stuck.

I tried to turn the camera on and off, to remove the batteries, but I did not, and I will, try to turn it off and on with the batteries leaving the shutter release collar on.

The batteries are ok, I tried also with new ones, I always carry spare ones. We depend on batteries...

The only thing that worked so far was to shoot a frame.

I may post some pictures made here in about two month time, when I will be back to Italy, developed/printed/scaned the B/W films.

Thanks a lot for your advices,

David

 

[kmerenkov]

Hi dar,
I am having exactly that problem with my R3a now. Did you manage to fix your issue? If so, how? If not, what are you doing now?

 

[kmerenkov]

I think I found a workaround to this problem. I now need to make it my reflex - to press the "exposure lock" button right after advancing a lever.
Anyway I cannot trust my bessa anymore as to reliable camera, will try to hold my hands on le*ca (censorship is intended).