Rectifying the Bessa Strap Lug Design Flaw

[d.sge]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

"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]

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]

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]

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