Rectifying the Bessa Strap Lug Design Flaw

d.sge · Jan 8, 2010

Hello all. This question is directed toward the owners of the CV Bessa L/T/R series rangefinders.

I was hoping an owner of these cameras found a solution that corrects the camera's insistence on pointing toward the sky when its hanging from one's neck. Upon discovering the flaw today, I rerouted the neck strap under the camera, then installed the case to keep it in place before putting it around my neck. While I had assumed the center of gravity would change and fix the problem, it didn't make a difference. With that said,I wonder if...

- It is possible to keep it in a half case and not have to resort to purchasing a $40 side grip or $150 trigger winder? It strikes me as unreasonable to pay for such a fix while sacrificing the bit of protection a half case provides.

- Are there any third party cases that fit the camera well, while also having its own strap lugs in a more appropriate location?

- At the very least, is the problem tempered with a heavier lens (I've affixed a skopar 21/4 and am hoping that the problem will be exclusive to it and similarly weighted lenses)?

- Anything I haven't considered?

Thanks very much in advance,

Daniel

rpsawin · Jan 8, 2010

Daniel,

Try rangefinderforum.com There are lots of Bessa users on that site and I'm sure you will get some helpful responses.

Best regards,

Bob

Ross Chambers · Jan 9, 2010

I usually have my Bessa R in the half case, and with a wrist strap. Good for candid street pix, but perhaps not what you want.

It does mean one hand is devoted to carrying the camera (securely) all the time, unless it's in a bag.

Pro Strap was the brand, from the US.

Regards - Ross

David William White · Jan 9, 2010

I use a wrist strap, too. But one from a dollar store. I would never bother with a half-case -- makes changing rolls bothersome.

Sanjay Sen · Jan 9, 2010

I usually carry my Bessa-R in a messenger bag, and when it's out I have it in a (lug-mount) wrist strap. This may not be what you are looking for, but it helps me avoid the situation you described.

KenR · Jan 9, 2010

lugging the bessa

I have opted for the side grip for my R4A. Even though it is extra money, I feel that handling the camera becomes more comfortable for me as well as having it lay more naturally on the neck strap.

jpberger · Jan 9, 2010

"At the very least, is the problem tempered with a heavier lens (I've affixed a skopar 21/4 and am hoping that the problem will be exclusive to it and similarly weighted lenses)? "

Yes it's better-
It's not a design flaw per say just that the balance is optimised for fast normal lenses which happen to be pretty dense. It's fine with the 40f/1.4 and the 75f/2.5 for example. The extra lug on the side grip helps, unfortunately I find the grip part is too small to provide much meaningful extra grip and you lose your tripod thread which is a drag.

d.sge · Jan 9, 2010

Well, c'est la vie... Though a good one, the wrist strap option isn't quite what I'm looking for. I suppose I'll suck it up and opt for the side grip when using the skopar. Thank you for offering up your suggestions.

Andy K · Jan 9, 2010

I also use a side grip on my R3M. The only lens I have that 'balances' the camera on the strap is the Apo-lanthar 90mm.

ntenny · Jan 9, 2010

I carry it over one shoulder rather than around my neck. The balance is a bit better this way, and I find the camera more accessible (and I feel less like a dorky tourist).

-NT

Steve Mack · Jan 9, 2010

I've learned to live with the goofy balance on my Bessa R as it dangles from the strap, so it's not a major consideration to me. I am just very grateful that I came upon it just as Stephen Gandy was closing out the last of them, and I got the 35mm f/2.8 with it as a kit, along with the case (very handy when it rains!).

As far as how I carry it, I wear it around my neck like any dorky tourist. As I told my son some time back, (when he told me, "Dad, you look like a dork", when I was wearing a baseball cap without the obligatory crimp in the brim), it wouldn't be the first time!

With best regards.

Stephen

Alex Bishop-Thorpe · Jan 10, 2010

Try not to worry about it, quickest and cheapest fix. It's never hurt in any functional way for me.

d.sge · Jan 10, 2010

Turns out a healthy dose of hardheadedness with a bit of cringing, and an x-acto knife, did the trick. Here's to hoping the case doesn't fall apart.

Barry06GT · Jan 10, 2010

.
.
I carry my Bessa R2A on my right hip!

I use Stephen Schaub's Y-Strap.

The perfect solution! Every Y-Strap is hand-made in the USA by Stephen himself.

Check it out for yourself at:

http://figitalrevolution.com/y-strap/
.
.

Vanishing Point Ent. · Jan 20, 2010

Try to find a " Right Grip ".

jpberger said:
"At the very least, is the problem tempered with a heavier lens (I've affixed a skopar 21/4 and am hoping that the problem will be exclusive to it and similarly weighted lenses)? "

Yes it's better-
It's not a design flaw per say just that the balance is optimised for fast normal lenses which happen to be pretty dense. It's fine with the 40f/1.4 and the 75f/2.5 for example. The extra lug on the side grip helps, unfortunately I find the grip part is too small to provide much meaningful extra grip and you lose your tripod thread which is a drag.

The solution there, is to add a " Right Grip ", along with a Stroboframe Q.R.
plate. The " R.G. ", was an item made pre digital & pre A.F., to give you a
Motor Drive type grip on Non-Motorized cameras.

Look for it on eBay, or your local swap meet. Cameras with built-in motors
killed it's manufacturer.

I originally used this, with a Canon EF, so that when I grabbed it, my fingers
curled around it, the same way they did on my motorized cameras.

Right Grip even provided a half / baked flash bracket, as part of the Right Grip handle. When a shoe is mounted this could be used to hold the spirit-level, instead of the dual shoe, which is impossible to find.

I use one of these on my Black Bessa L, along with the side grip.
It provides an even better grip, with theside grip, then without. I had a custom screw machined for these to hold the Q.R. plus anti-twist plate & side grip in place. Then I screw the R.G. into the Q.R., for handholding.

When I mount the camera to a tripod, I remove the R.G. to use the Newton Rotator, fitted with a Stroboframe Q.R. receiver, ( bottom ).

I use the same set-up on my Black Contax G2.

Rectifying the Bessa Strap Lug Design Flaw

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