Bessaflex TM (Cosina) repair

jamin-b · 02-12-2019, 02:10 AM

Hi all - another repair query...

I have a Bessaflex TM in perfect working order - except that the flipping mirror has cracked. This is the late model M42 film SLR camera that Cosina / Voigtlander came out about 20 years ago and is a pleasure to use.

Does anyone have any idea about how i can obtain a replacement mirror for it? I remember reading once that the last consumer film camera produced for Nikon was also made by Cosina and that the parts are identical.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

---------- Post added 02-12-19 at 02:13 AM ----------

Last edited by BigMackCam; 02-12-2019 at 02:58 AM. Reason: Edited title

dsmithhfx · 02-12-2019, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by jamin-b

Hi all - another repair query...

I have a Bessaflex TM in perfect working order - except that the flipping mirror has cracked. This is the late model M42 film SLR camera that Cosina / Voigtlander came out about 20 years ago and is a pleasure to use.

Does anyone have any idea about how i can obtain a replacement mirror for it? I remember reading once that the last consumer film camera produced for Nikon was also made by Cosina and that the parts are identical.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

---------- Post added 02-12-19 at 02:13 AM ----------

Keep your eye out for parts cameras... I personally don't advise you try the replacement yourself unless you have some prior experience, though you'd probably learn something by disassembling a parts body and studiously documenting the steps.

Otherwise you'll need to send it to someone like Eric, the pentax repair guy.

stevebrot · 02-12-2019, 01:57 PM

Originally posted by jamin-b

Does anyone have any idea about how i can obtain a replacement mirror for it? I remember reading once that the last consumer film camera produced for Nikon was also made by Cosina and that the parts are identical.

It is quite possible that the mirror on your Bessaflex TM is the same as on other "made by Cosina" SLRs of the same vintage. Probably the most prominent examples would be the Nikon FE10/FM10 and Vivitar V3800N. While sharing a fair amount of "DNA" with those other three cameras, your Bessaflex TM has the distinction of having full-metal build, a certain degree of exclusiveness*, and compatibility with Bessa rangefinder trigger winder and grips. Cool camera

Good luck on getting a repair done. With a replacement in hand, most competent technicians should be able to manage the swap.

Steve

* Was sold at a higher price point as a premium offering.

dsmithhfx · 02-12-2019, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Was sold at a higher price point as a premium offering

When it was discontinued they were selling the body for a hundred bucks. Unfortunately I thought it might go lower and held off

**ChrisPlatt** · 02-17-2019, 06:15 PM - **1 Like**

Stephen Gandy was/is the foremost CV distributor in USA.
He has a repair operation as well.

https://www.cameraquest.com/

Chris

02-12-2019, 02:10 AM	#1
jamin-b New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 19	Bessaflex TM (Cosina) repair Hi all - another repair query... I have a Bessaflex TM in perfect working order - except that the flipping mirror has cracked. This is the late model M42 film SLR camera that Cosina / Voigtlander came out about 20 years ago and is a pleasure to use. Does anyone have any idea about how i can obtain a replacement mirror for it? I remember reading once that the last consumer film camera produced for Nikon was also made by Cosina and that the parts are identical. Any thoughts? Thanks! ---------- Post added 02-12-19 at 02:13 AM ---------- Last edited by BigMackCam; 02-12-2019 at 02:58 AM. Reason: Edited title

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02-12-2019, 08:28 AM	#2
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,152	Originally posted by jamin-b Hi all - another repair query... I have a Bessaflex TM in perfect working order - except that the flipping mirror has cracked. This is the late model M42 film SLR camera that Cosina / Voigtlander came out about 20 years ago and is a pleasure to use. Does anyone have any idea about how i can obtain a replacement mirror for it? I remember reading once that the last consumer film camera produced for Nikon was also made by Cosina and that the parts are identical. Any thoughts? Thanks! ---------- Post added 02-12-19 at 02:13 AM ---------- Keep your eye out for parts cameras... I personally don't advise you try the replacement yourself unless you have some prior experience, though you'd probably learn something by disassembling a parts body and studiously documenting the steps. Otherwise you'll need to send it to someone like Eric, the pentax repair guy.

02-12-2019, 01:57 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by jamin-b Does anyone have any idea about how i can obtain a replacement mirror for it? I remember reading once that the last consumer film camera produced for Nikon was also made by Cosina and that the parts are identical. It is quite possible that the mirror on your Bessaflex TM is the same as on other "made by Cosina" SLRs of the same vintage. Probably the most prominent examples would be the Nikon FE10/FM10 and Vivitar V3800N. While sharing a fair amount of "DNA" with those other three cameras, your Bessaflex TM has the distinction of having full-metal build, a certain degree of exclusiveness, and compatibility with Bessa rangefinder trigger winder and grips. Cool camera Good luck on getting a repair done. With a replacement in hand, most competent technicians should be able to manage the swap. Steve Was sold at a higher price point as a premium offering.

02-12-2019, 02:40 PM	#4
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,152	Originally posted by stevebrot Was sold at a higher price point as a premium offering When it was discontinued they were selling the body for a hundred bucks. Unfortunately I thought it might go lower and held off

02-17-2019, 06:15 PM - 1 Like	#5
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,696	Stephen Gandy was/is the foremost CV distributor in USA. He has a repair operation as well. https://www.cameraquest.com/ Chris