Voigtländer Bessa

[Minolfan]

On the thrift market in Delft I found a Bessa staring at me. I couldn't let the poor thing where it was and had to take it home. The camera was not in a very good state, that was obvious, even a gap in the shell that I never had expected. But it belongs there, closed by a kind of plastic under the leatherette, as I found when I took my other Bessa to compare!
The glass was dusty, but seemed to be clear, so I thought it might be a lens for digital use. some closer inspectio gave me the idea that the poor thing perhaps could be got in use again. Polishing off the rust, new leatherette and cleaning the shutter appears to be possible. The shutter has no rust and works (but slow and not reliable).
The differences between the old folders are not significant. Uncoated Skopar vs bleu coated Color-Skopar, both in Compur Rapid. And the better condition for the eldest ofcourse.

My both Bessas, the abused newer one right, with coated lens:


The hole in the shell:


The pressureplate, proving storage in a humid place:



Three questions for the specialists here:
- does anyone know what material has to be used to cover the gap again?
- why is the hole there?
- How old is the "new" Bessa, with the coated lens? The lens has nr 3067064. Is this an after War product?

[iangreenhalgh1]

Yes, it's a post-war one.

Not sure what covers that hole, on my two Bessas (same as the older one you have) there is a raised part there, i think it's metal, no idea what it's for. Doesn't matter what you cover it with, as long as it's rigid.

Perhaps you can find another Bessa with other issues and make one good one from the two bad ones?

[Minolfan]

Thanks.
That raised part on my good one is covered with something that might be metal, but then it is very thin, because it is not stiff.
The Bessas are not that common here, that I can easely find another one with issues for cheap. I am looking for a long time without succes for one with a lesser lens that can be donor for a bellows that I need for an Agfa Record III.
Well, there are some thrift markets to go!

[Attila]

Newer one is a hybrid, shiny lens was take of from a Bessa I camera , made in 1950-60. Whole is a barbarian act to make some experiment , these Bessa cameras has no hole on front door. Pressure plate is in 'hopeless' stage , these old Bessas are frequently come on ebay for little money around 50 USD.

[Lloydy]

The cover for the hole is metal under the plastic leatherette, I just checked mine with a magnet.

But I can't think of any reason it's there ?

[Minolfan]

[iangreenhalgh1]

I shot this the other day with my Bessa with uncoated Skopar, so if you can restore one of these to shooting state it is well worth doing:

[Minolfan]

Yes I know, the old one is in working condition!

[iangreenhalgh1]

That's good, I shot that pic with an identical one to your old one.

[Farside]

[Minolfan]

Thanks, I was curious about that but mine didn't confirm the idea. Maybe I was too slow and carefull in closing the camera.