My beautiful Bessa

medwaygreen

medwaygreen

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In March I put my first film through my beautiful Bessa R3A and I have now had a good look at all the shots, I only looked at a few before to use in the POTY 13 comp.

On 4 of the 27 frames there is what can only be described as a fault, I do not know what causes this and I hope your guys can help.

From my memory there had been no delay between some of the shots, but not all of them, so light leak is not in my thinking, but, your observations would be most welcome.These are straight out of camera, untouched and they were developed by my high street photographic studio, scanned by me on V500.
#1

#2

#3

#4
 
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Looks like a shutter issue Richard.

I had a similar issue with a camera some time ago ....take a look here
 
Thanks for that Asha, I think it is time to investigate that.

Investigation, is that it is a vertical shutter plane, therefore if this was the problem would not the defect be horizontal across rather than vertical as with a horizontal shutter plane?
 
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Are they visible on the negatives?

The R3A has an electronically controlled shutter so shutter timing problems are a little odd.
 
Just going to check.

Yes they are visible on the negs.
 
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Any consistency with these shots, in terms of settings? That said, the indoors ones won't have been taken at a fast shutter speed.

Is there a battery check on the R3A? Just trying to rule out any electrical inconsistencies.
 
Hi Richard, just wanted to say that this was not an issue I ever had with the lovely Bess and I can't imagine what could be causing it. Could it be an intermittant fault with the developers machine? Hope you get it sorted.
 
freecom2 said:
Any consistency with these shots, in terms of settings? That said, the indoors ones won't have been taken at a fast shutter speed.

Is there a battery check on the R3A? Just trying to rule out any electrical inconsistencies.
Click to expand...

Just done an extensive test on the batteries, all looks very good.
 
Andysnap said:
Hi Richard, just wanted to say that this was not an issue I ever had with the lovely Bess and I can't imagine what could be causing it. Could it be an intermittant fault with the developers machine? Hope you get it sorted.
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Thanks Andy.:thumbs:
 
the marking looks to be the same shape all the time, wonder if it was something during dev, or maybe something on the shutter
 
medwaygreen said:
Investigation, is that it is a vertical shutter plane, therefore if this was the problem would not the defect be horizontal across rather than vertical as with a horizontal shutter plane?
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Yes I think you are correct tbh.

In addition the mark is on the lhs of the frames 3 & 4 yet on the rhs of frame 2 That adds mystery as to the cause too.

I do hope it proves to be a nothingness problem that you sort without hassle as the bessa looks to be a nice camera and by the sounds of it, you like it very much.
 
Has this only happened on one film? I'd be tempted to run another £1 film through it before thinking worst case scenarios.
 
I would wager money on that being a development problem, or some other problem not directly related to the camera
 
RaglanSurf said:
Has this only happened on one film? I'd be tempted to run another £1 film through it before thinking worst case scenarios.
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Well I agree...sometimes I use old B/W film, it's handy for a quick check with some cheap chemicals.
 
RaglanSurf said:
Has this only happened on one film? I'd be tempted to run another £1 film through it before thinking worst case scenarios.
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Yes Nick the first and only film to date, I am going to run a film through over the weekend and send it to my trusted Photo express for developing.:thumbs:
 
retrogamer1990 said:
I would wager money on that being a development problem, or some other problem not directly related to the camera
Click to expand...

I hope you are right Nick, the film over the weekend will perhaps answer the question.
 
pingu666 said:
the marking looks to be the same shape all the time, wonder if it was something during dev, or maybe something on the shutter
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The shutter looks crisp and clean, I hope you are right and it is a developing fault.
 
Development problems almost never manifest themselves as clean, straight marks/problems like that though. Development problems tend to be blotchy, with fogging like edges, due to the nature of light leaks/using liquid in general.

I'm sorry to say it but everything points to a shutter issue - see any negative from a camera suffering from any sort of shutter problem, and it looks far more like this than any development issue.
 
freecom2 said:
Development problems almost never manifest themselves as clean, straight marks/problems like that though. Development problems tend to be blotchy, with fogging like edges, due to the nature of light leaks/using liquid in general.

I'm sorry to say it but everything points to a shutter issue - see any negative from a camera suffering from any sort of shutter problem, and it looks far more like this than any development issue.
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:(:(:(:(:(:(
 
Dont panic yet Richard, although what FC2 say is a possibility do your test first, remembering to test all shutter speeds on all settings and make notes.
 
Don't forget Richard if the camera wasn't used for a long time it might need some "exercise" on the shutter...if that is the problem.
 
excalibur2 said:
Don't forget Richard if the camera wasn't used for a long time it might need some "exercise" on the shutter...if that is the problem.
Click to expand...

With an electronically controlled shutter, this shouldn't be an issue.
 
freecom2 said:
With an electronically controlled shutter, this shouldn't be an issue.
Click to expand...

h'mm well there are still some mechanical bits ;) and reminds me of my T90 when I first got it, as I had shutter drag for night shots and was going to post it back to the seller as faulty, but after using for a week it disappeared for ever.
 
Thanks guys,

This weekend I will put two rolls through, one B&W the other colour at all the auto and manual options, lets see what comes back. until then shall we say.

Richard.
 
Well just to bring this back to the top :).

Last Sunday the 19TH I spent a few hours with the Bessa R3A and the f1.4 lens attached and with two colour films( I LOVE COLOUR:) ), one a Konica Centuria 200Asa 8 years OOD and my favorite Portra 160 Asa in date.

I tried the camera on auto with most Aperture settings and manual with most combinations, of course that was governed by conditions.

I am pleased to say that after sending the films to Photo Express in Hull for Develop and scan, still get our discount, cost was £9.00, I received them back within two days, just great service. The films were both perfect in the developing area. Not photographic wise of course. Here are three shots with the Centuria and three shots with the Portra.

#c1.


#c2.


#c3.


#p1.


#p2.


#p3.


I would be delighted to know your thoughts, thank You.
 
Well I'm just chuffed that she's ok. I'm on my phone at the mo but the shots look pretty good to me.

Andy
 
***I would be delighted to know your thoughts, thank You.***

At least Asda won't get the blame.....please for you that's the camera is ok.
 
Thanks Andy, I would be interested in your opinion when you get back onto your PC.

Richard.
 
Thanks Brian.
 
How satisfying to see that all apears well with the camera Richard.....a big relief for you I suspect.

I do like the first shot in particular...kind of sucks me in if you see what I mean..

That OOD Konica film really does yield decent colours...I've been very pleased with those rolls you kindly sent me.

I have some OOD portra knocking about too which I recently acquired ....never used it before but going by your results, it's about time I did.
 
Thanks Asha and I agree with you about the colour performance of the Konica, it never ceases to amaze me how good it can be, you just need good natural light.

You must use the Portra, it is one of my favorite colour films and the 160VC shines.

Richard.
 
As I suspected these look very good Richard, the 40mm really is a sharp lens and I like the colours in these. The first one is particularly good, lovely lines and patterns.

Andy
 
Yes Andy, I have to agree on the first and to think that is 8 year OOD film, it is remarkable.

Richard.
 
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