the oldest voigtlander bessa in continuous use

[aizan]

all of this hand wringing about voigtlander build quality has me interested in who has the oldest voigtlander bessa that has stood up to continuous use. any repairs? anything falling apart? how's the finish stood up?

just for reference, the bessa l is now at least 10 years old. the r2 came out in early 2002, the r2a/r3a in late 2004.

 

[brachal]

I bought my Bessa-R used in 2004. It gets about a roll a week. It's never been abused, but it's never been pampered either. It's been through swamps and deserts, Louisiana Augusts (including a really rough stretch post-Katrina) and Illinois winters. The finish is slightly scuffed, but everything else works just like it should. Has not needed repair or CLA.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

My Bessa 2 - Color Skopar - circa 1954 is used regularly! 😉