jomyoot
Member
I am very interested in the Bessa R4 that will be coming out next month. However I believe there is no distribution in my country. That's fine because I can buy from BH. However, I am worried about services. I read here that these cameras are very fragile and the RF may need readjsuting everyonce in a while. What would be my option? Who would I contact for service/support.
saxshooter
Well-known
AV Camera or FotoHobby or FotoFile in Bangkok should be able to service them (although probably not honor the warranty). There is also a repair shop in Peninsula Plaza in Singapore, immediately to the right of Cathay Photo. I forgot the name, but there is a bunch of used film equipment in the window. All have worked on my rangefinders at one point.
jomyoot
Member
If I buy it new, how often do these cameras need to be serviced through typical use? Is it like a car that needs checkups all the time?
saxshooter
Well-known
I believe the RF may need realignment if you subject the camera to trauma... a drop, etc. But something else you may consider is since this camera is more suited for wider lenses (.52x magnification and the short rangefinder baselength) -- even if the RF went slightly out of alignment I would think you would be ok using 21mm through 28mm lenses with it since DOF will compensate and your focus will be in "the ball park".
I am guessing focusing fast normal and longer lenses wide open will be a challenge with this camera, due to the finder magnification and short RF baselength.
I am guessing focusing fast normal and longer lenses wide open will be a challenge with this camera, due to the finder magnification and short RF baselength.
oscroft
Veteran
Where about in Bangkok are those? (I spend a lot of time there and it might be useful/interesting to know).
saxshooter
Well-known
AV Camera is on New Road near the Shangrila Hotel, FotoHobby is in Silom Complex, and FotoFile is in Mahboonkrong (MBK) shopping center. I believe they all have websites, you can check.
S
Simon Larbalestier
Guest
Check Camera Collection as Eddie Sui sells the VC cameras I am sure he can get them fixed and if not will know who can as he orders a lot of kit from HK.
His address is:
Camera Collection, Channisara Tower/Ground Floor/Surawong Road (just down from Robinson’s Department Store end of Silom Road)
His address is:
Camera Collection, Channisara Tower/Ground Floor/Surawong Road (just down from Robinson’s Department Store end of Silom Road)
oscroft
Veteran
Great, thanks.
Bryan Lee
Expat Street Photographer
Simon Larby said:
Eddie is the man in Bangkok, C&C is by far the busiest rangefinder camera store in Thailand and he has the largest selection of Rangefinders and M-mount lenses in stock, both new and used. The only time I had a problem with a camera In Thailand I took it to him and he took care of it.
The other stores mentioned are fine but their bread and butter is Digital Consumer Cameras for the masses and Fotofile has cut way back on their Leica stock and no longer carry any Voigtlander gear. When I asked they said they would not be stocking it in the future.
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saxshooter
Well-known
Yup, forgot about Eddie. I used to go to his shop when it first opened in Thaniya Plaza (and was next door to FotoHobby at the time). I bought Leica gear and a couple of Olympus Pen F cameras from him. His stuff is in beautiful condition, but in the mid-90's his prices were a bit on the high side compared to the stores I mentioned. Not sure about now. But a very nice guy and definitely worth a browse.
Abbazz
6x9 and be there!
jomyoot said:
If you are in Thailand, why do you want to order from B&H? You might want to try Chiif Camera, which is the official distributor for Singapore and Malaysia, or ShaShinKi in Malaysia, via their respective website. Both ship internationally.
Cheers,
Abbazz
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jomyoot
Member
Shipping from BH is quite cheap actually -- cheaper than ordering books from Amazon (surprisngly). Plus, BH is a reputable company and stock various items that I like to bundle together when I order.
Haven't compared product prices though. Thanks for the suggestion.
Haven't compared product prices though. Thanks for the suggestion.
spider
Newbie
Hi jomyoot,
Just wanted to tell you that buying from Chii Fei is a great option. I live in Bangkok as well, and I had been looking for a rangefinder for a while. I emailed him and he called me within minutes to discuss my needs. Very friendly and helpful, I told him that I needed a R3M and a 40 1.4 within a week before I left on assignment. I was concerned that customs would stop the package, so he arranged to send the camera with a friend from Singapore to Bangkok. Within days I had the camera which works perfectly and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again, maybe when the R4 comes out.
As for repairs, I would think that guys like Mana at AV and Eddie at CC have enough experience with manual cameras to fix small problems. My camera is also under warranty for a year so I'm not too worried about things breaking. Hope this helps.
Just wanted to tell you that buying from Chii Fei is a great option. I live in Bangkok as well, and I had been looking for a rangefinder for a while. I emailed him and he called me within minutes to discuss my needs. Very friendly and helpful, I told him that I needed a R3M and a 40 1.4 within a week before I left on assignment. I was concerned that customs would stop the package, so he arranged to send the camera with a friend from Singapore to Bangkok. Within days I had the camera which works perfectly and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again, maybe when the R4 comes out.
As for repairs, I would think that guys like Mana at AV and Eddie at CC have enough experience with manual cameras to fix small problems. My camera is also under warranty for a year so I'm not too worried about things breaking. Hope this helps.
jomyoot
Member
Is minor RF adjustment a small enough problem that can be handled locallly either by Eddie or AV?
saxshooter
Well-known
jomyoot said:
Yes, shouldn't be a problem.