Worrying Bessa R camera back

[Cat Face]

Hello everyone, I very recently bought a chrome Bessa R because it was a good price, better value than my black one - and apparently in better condition.

The camera its self looks brilliant, but something not shown in the pictures of the item is the camera's back with it door closed.

I understand that this little plastic holder holds the paper on a roll of film so you know what you're shooting? Or am I way off?

Finally, the most important question - could someone telll me if this is standard or has the previous owner, for some reason, stuck this on the back? (I'm going for the stuck on option..)

What would you do? I'm not very sure, I don't want to try and pull the thing off if its supposed to be there, but, for example, my black Bessa R doesn't have this, it just has the smooth rubber back.

Thanks so much for any input, anything at all will be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[lZr]

My black Bessa R is not armed with this plastic holder. Perhaps its purpose is to strengthen the camera back or any useful mark to hold for you to remember

 

[Cat Face]

Thanks very much,

Oh yes, isn't it odd? maybe only the chrome ones had it? As I say, my black doesn't have one either.

One funny thing is, its cheapo looking plastic and doesn't fit very well with the ergonomics of the camera.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

My chrome one didn't have it and the one on your Bessa looks like an aftermarket one sold e.g. by Hama.

I do not know how strong the glue is, but I would leave it as it is.

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[Cat Face]

Oh damn, I don't know what I want to do now, the seller didn't say anything about this, thanks for the reply

 

[rtphotos]

Hi Cat Face,

The "film memory holder" is an aftermarket add-on - probably like this one:

http://www.adorama.com/CZFMH.html

You can ask the seller to be sure. My black Bessa-R didn't come with one.

It doesn't look that bad, does it? I'd hesitate yanking it off because you know the seller was probably hiding a huge gouge in the door, right? 😉 Sorry, just kidding.

Seriously, I really would think twice about removing it because the rubber coating of the Bessa R is pretty thin and the holder's adhesive probably will leave some sort of mark on the back, anyway. My Bessa really got old looking very quickly. Its finish isn't very durable.

I'd leave it be. You might find the holder useful. If anything, put a pic of your S.O. in it. 😀

Good luck,
rt 🙂

 

[Cat Face]

Thanks very much rt,

Don't try to scare me, theres no dent in my poor film door, my camera wouldn't do that to its wonderful owner.

It looks fine, and i'm using a half case you can't see it anyway but its the whole getting something that wasn't described in the auction - the camera its self actually feels nicer with the half case on!

One more thing, putting in a picture of my significant other? Why on earth would I want to put a picture of my Bessa into my Bessa's holder?

 

[tripod]

Put some nasty porn picture in there.
Show it to your subject after taking her picture and pretend that it's a digital preview screen. 😉

 

[Cat Face]

Ah, yes tripod - I see how you have survived in the business of photography. Shock the models into paying more for post processing!

 

[tripod]

Hey, I liked your introduction thread so much, I thought I'd bless you with my learned and professional opinion. 😉

 

[Cat Face]

At least one of us is the professional, eh?

 

[gb hill]

My silver Bessa R has the smooth back. That certainly is an aftermarket add on. I would leave it alone and enjoy your new to you bessa.
cheers, gb

 

[Nokton48]

So what's your issue? IMO that's an -UPGRADE-. I just sold my two Bessa-R's here in the classifieds, both of them had the "Hama Film Memo" about ten bucks each, at B&H. I'm getting ready to order six more, for my Minolta SRTs.

-Dan, tear it off if it really bothers you, and send it to me in an envelope 😀😀

 

[brachal]

I have two chrome Rs, neither has one of those. I would leave it on. The back of your Bessa is very prone to, for lack of a better term, "nose prints." The film memo bracket will keep your Bessa from developing a persistent oily spot on the back.

 

[gb hill]

I have two chrome Rs, neither has one of those. I would leave it on. The back of your Bessa is very prone to, for lack of a better term, "nose prints." The film memo bracket will keep your Bessa from developing a persistent oily spot on the back.

Exactally the reason I keep the half case on mine.😀

 

[john_s]

I acquired a lens with hard plastic lens cap to which someone had stuck one of those cords that are supposed to stop you from losing your lens cap. I tried to remove it and I found that the adhesive is VERY tough. On hard plastic I got it off with solvent, but on your camera back you would make a worse mess.

 

[Nokton48]

Leicagoodies makes the SLIDE for the Leica M's, which works about like the Hama Memo Holder, which will fit any camera. Same general idea. At $20 the STEER is about double the HAMA price, but it fits the M's. Made from plastic too, just like the Voigtlander.

http://www.leicagoodies.com/

 

[Cat Face]

Thanks very much for all the replies everyone,

seems like i'll be keeping it on then!

I've always got the half case, I really like it and it makes the camera easier to hold.

 

[former member]

Think I'll need one of those for my Digital Camera. No preview. It does have a little window to read the label on the PCMCIA card that goes into it.

 

[rtphotos]

Photo of my Bessa-R back and built-in OEM "film memo holder". 😀

rt 🙂