how to disassemble a Bessa II?

I've got a Bessa II with a displaced linkage between the shutter release (that pops out of the door) and the arm that actually trips the shutter.

The front part has a springed hinge, so getting that under the arm is no problem, but I also need to get the pin on the other end back in the slotted piece that is moved by the release lever.

Seems like it should be an easy enough thing to do, but I can't figure out where to start with taking this thing apart.

Anyone have experience with disassembling one of these things?

The best place to ask this question is on the classic repair site..

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/forum/

These guys specilize in old cameras. Leave your message in the Maintenance n repair section. To see the forums click on LAST WEEK.

Maybe if you did a search there you might find a ton of info on your camera.

Max said:

I've got a Bessa II with a displaced linkage between the shutter release (that pops out of the door) and the arm that actually trips the shutter.

The front part has a springed hinge, so getting that under the arm is no problem, but I also need to get the pin on the other end back in the slotted piece that is moved by the release lever.

Seems like it should be an easy enough thing to do, but I can't figure out where to start with taking this thing apart.

Anyone have experience with disassembling one of these things?

Click to expand...

Since Thomassauerwein dares me to be non-critical and constructive, I'll come forward with some ideas for your Bessa II.

Have you thought about taking off the lens plus shutter assembly and the bellows will loosen & fold back, giving you some room to operate in?

Other suggestion: close the door of the Bessa halfways, causing the release to go futher down than normal. Take hold of the bit that trips the shutter and simultaneously use a small tool or even a bent paperclip to reach inside to what you call the pin/slotted piece linkage. Fiddle around a bit with the pin, lift it up to get it back into its slot. What you need is sufficient light to work in and work carefully. This way you don't have to take apart the camera.

Taking of the shutter assembly is the easiest and best option because you have enough room to work in and you need to unscrew only two screws along the release lever. (Hard to talk without images).

Don't even think about taking the door off: they are riveted, not screwed. See another thread about the problems of replacing rivets in folder cameras. Murray can tell you everything about this.


May I ask this question: how did this linkage become undone?