Voigtlander Bessa I

Dinis Figueira · Nov 13, 2016

Hi guy's,

I've received today this camera as a birthday present.
Apart from needing some cleaning, oil to lubrificate and protect and some black painting in the frame (to cover some rust) it seems perfect. The bellows seem to have no holes at all.

Slow speeds were sticky but already working (the 1s is improving) and the self timer is stuck (will leave it like that).
Problems on this. The shutter wont go all the way down (goes stuck halfway). The button itself, not the shutter on the lens.
And the viewfinder needs some cleaning (can stay like this if it's hard to open it) and the lens need some cleaning too.

How can I repair it and achieve this?
What other things should I look on it too?

Thanks!

EDIT: This is the second version from 1949, not the first one from the 30's.

shutterfinger · Nov 13, 2016

The shutter needs a CLA. What does it say under the lens on the shutter? Prontor? Compur-Rapid? Voigtlander? Something else?

Dinis Figueira · Nov 13, 2016

shutterfinger said:
The shutter needs a CLA. What does it say under the lens on the shutter? Prontor? Compur-Rapid? Voigtlander? Something else?

Is it hard to repair the button myself?
Cuz the shutter from the lens is working 5*

It say's prontor-s and the lens itself is a voigtlander vaskar 4.5f, 105mm

shutterfinger · Nov 13, 2016

I did a google search for Prontor S repair manual and these two are usable
http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php?page=prontor
http://benoit.suaudeau.perso.neuf.fr/manuels_rep/obturateurs/001_pdfsam_prontor.pdf
If you are not familiar with shutter servicing then find someone in your area to service it.
As a first try at servicing it will be a steep learning curve for someone with good mechanical skills.

Removing the shutter from the camera, removing the lens cells from the shutter, then removing the front cover and flushing it with Naphtha or a spray degreaser might be another option to get it going for a while.
When removing the front cover pay close attention to its position in relation to the case as there may be recesses that pins in the mechanism fit into that must be aligned correctly. If a ring holds the cover on then count the number of turns it takes to unscrew it. There may be a very small screw that fits into a notch in the ring, it is used to hold the rings position once it is set correctly.

Dinis Figueira · Nov 13, 2016

shutterfinger said:
I did a google search for Prontor S repair manual and these two are usable
http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php?page=prontor
http://benoit.suaudeau.perso.neuf.fr/manuels_rep/obturateurs/001_pdfsam_prontor.pdf
If you are not familiar with shutter servicing then find someone in your area to service it.
As a first try at servicing it will be a steep learning curve for someone with good mechanical skills.

Removing the shutter from the camera, removing the lens cells from the shutter, then removing the front cover and flushing it with Naphtha or a spray degreaser might be another option to get it going for a while.
When removing the front cover pay close attention to its position in relation to the case as there may be recesses that pins in the mechanism fit into that must be aligned correctly. If a ring holds the cover on then count the number of turns it takes to unscrew it. There may be a very small screw that fits into a notch in the ring, it is used to hold the rings position once it is set correctly.

Sorry for not explaining better. When I meant the button, I mean't the button on the camera itself where it leads a mechanism that will press down the shutter on the lens

shutterfinger · Nov 13, 2016

Dinis Figueira said:
I mean't the button on the camera itself where it leads a mechanism that will press down the shutter on the lens

Probably a standard shielded cable. Flush it with degreaser and or add little light weight machine oil at the camera end and operate a few times. It may be the shutter being sluggish that causes it not to return properly.
90% Isopropyl Alcohol works well for cleaning up dried out oil and grease.

EDIT: I cannot find good pictures of the release. Looking at
http://www.cameramanuals.org/voigtlander_pdf/voigtlander_bessa_i.pdf
it may be a mechanical linkage and if so a little cleaning and oil will help unless its bent.

Dan Fromm · Nov 13, 2016

Be very careful with the camera. If you can find an expert, send it to the expert instead of trying to fix it yourself. I'd suggest Ken Ruth, but he's retiring at the end of the year and isn't taking on work.

If my Perkeo II is typical, Voigtlander folders are excessively complicated. The double exposure prevention system is just ridiculous. The body shutter release connects to it. One has to know what one's doing.

tedr1 · Nov 14, 2016

Is this it?

This is a very simple camera.

There is a lever on the underside that operates the shutter release, it is an arrangement of levers, cranks and springs that navigates a complicated path. Perhaps the problem is caused by one of the pivots being bent or seized up, there are a number of places this could happen, the best method is to examine it carefully using strong light until the operation is understood. Then use simple hand tools, pliers, screwdriver, awl, and alcohol cleaning solvent to fix whatever is wrong.

A few years ago I purchased two cameras of this type, they were inexpensive, and probably the cost to send them to a repair shop exceeds the replacement cost of the camera.

baachitraka · Nov 14, 2016

You need right tools to dismantle the assembly. Don't force it.

Dinis Figueira · Nov 14, 2016

tedr1 said:
Is this it?

View attachment 167214

This is a very simple camera.

There is a lever on the underside that operates the shutter release, it is an arrangement of levers, cranks and springs that navigates a complicated path. Perhaps the problem is caused by one of the pivots being bent or seized up, there are a number of places this could happen, the best method is to examine it carefully using strong light until the operation is understood. Then use simple hand tools, pliers, screwdriver, awl, and alcohol cleaning solvent to fix whatever is wrong.

A few years ago I purchased two cameras of this type, they were inexpensive, and probably the cost to send them to a repair shop exceeds the replacement cost of the camera.

I think the lever system is the same, but the camera is different.

baachitraka · Nov 14, 2016

It will be a nice portrait machine but setting the close focus can be cumbersome.

Dinis Figueira · Nov 14, 2016

Another problem detected in close inspection. The lens has dust (that will affect the image) on both sides of both elements.
Best way to clean them?

And what's the best way to clean the leatherette?

onre · Nov 14, 2016

Shouldn't there be three elements? To clean the lens, remove the focusing element. Judging by the picture this would happen by removing three set screws from the rotating part of the lens, then removing the rim itself. You can either take notes on the positions where parts come off or just collimate it later by yourself, if you have necessary equipment. After removing that, remove the other part of the front section of the lens. It comes off by just turning it anticlockwise. After this, you have access to all lens surfaces. While at it, use lighter fluid to clean the focusing helicoid. When assembling, put a very small drop of grease on the helicoid thread to lubricate it.

You can do DIY collimation using SLR and a telephoto objective like this:

http://elekm.net/zeiss-ikon/repair/collimate/

shutterfinger · Nov 14, 2016

Dinis Figueira said:
And what's the best way to clean the leatherette?

I do not know what products are available in your area. I use window cleaner (Windex) and furniture polish (Pledge, yellow can).
Leatherette is Naugahyde so any upholstery should be fine but I avoid Amorall like the plague.

Dinis Figueira · Nov 15, 2016

Whenever I get spare time, I will try all of this tips and do them

Voigtlander Bessa I

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