Beautyflex CLA

So the Japanese made Rollei Flex twin lens reflex copy from 1955 (according to wiki camera) is currently being CLAd by a local technician (Beautyflex). The only local technician. The viewfinder was very dim. The viewfinder had a silver element that had deteriorated, so that will be overhauled. Shutter speeds were somewhat accurate and lens was in good shape too. However, looked like they could use a little maintenance for precision. Technician has over 25 years in the camera repair business...has seen every TLR at one point or another. Said it should be good as new in about 4-6 weeks.

Very excited about this. I know I probably could've just bought one on Ebay recently CLAd for about the same price or less, but I like the Beautyflex. I've already taken some fantastic images and I like how it operates, regardless of how primitive it is.

On a side note, the leather case that the twin lens reflex was kept in is kind of falling apart. The technician noted sometimes you can get a shoe repair shop to stitch the case back together. Does anyone have any experience with that? It is an original and I noticed they can go for a good amount of money on eBay.

Also, I wanted to get a new lens cover for the Beautyflex. The original is cool, but kind of a pain in the neck to get it to stay on (and also metal, which I'm not crazy about being near the glass. I'd like some kind of universal TLR lens cover...does that exist? If I get another brands lens cover, would it fit a Beautyflex (80mm lens).

Love this camera especially with Ektar 100 and Portra 800. Can take photos almost cartoonish with the Ektar 100 with crazy blues and Portra 800 has this beautiful look like its a painting. I like the 6x6 format even though I know some people stay away from that.

Anyway, hope everyone is doing well.

There were quite a few variations of the Beautyflex; some with Bay mount lenses, some without; http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Beautyflex

I would bet a similar model reproduction Rolleicord/Yashica plastic lens cap would work.

Oh, and you can re-stitch that case yourself. Check Photrio past posts; there are multiple posts with advice on doing just that...

It is doubtful that a cobbler would take on the task of repairing a case. It is even more doubtful it would be successful. In my experience when the stitching goes, the leather is pretty much gone. Especially on ever ready cases, the front "hinge" is invariably broken. Cases (alone) are often listed for ridiculous prices on the EAS, but it is very unlikely they ever sell. The place in New York (the one closed on Friday's) sells generic, push on lens caps in all sizes. Buy two of them. If you're really ambitious, attach them to each other with a strip of plastic.

Perhaps you could publish the name/contact details of your "local technician". I am fairly certain that the USPS will deliver packages even to Philadelphia, and many of us are always on the lookout for a good repair shop.

thuggins said:

It is doubtful that a cobbler would take on the task of repairing a case. It is even more doubtful it would be successful. In my experience when the stitching goes, the leather is pretty much gone. Especially on ever ready cases, the front "hinge" is invariably broken. Cases (alone) are often listed for ridiculous prices on the EAS, but it is very unlikely they ever sell. The place in New York (the one closed on Friday's) sells generic, push on lens caps in all sizes. Buy two of them. If you're really ambitious, attach them to each other with a strip of plastic.
Perhaps you could publish the name/contact details of your "local technician". I am fairly certain that the USPS will deliver packages even to Philadelphia, and many of us are always on the lookout for a good repair shop.

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I have a case for my Autocord w. meter; the leather feels pretty good but much of the stitching is iffy. The case that came with the camera was in pieces, I bought one in somewhat better condition from a nice guy in Russia. Took forever to clear customs! I plan to anoint it with Lexol, then re-sew per the instructions I found on this forum. i bought a kit for sewing leather on the web for about $12, Here's the link on my Autocord case; the video is informative https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/repairing-a-minolta-autocord-case.172803/ . I'll try to find the source of the leather sewing kit, it may well be within the video. The front hinge could perhaps be repaired with sewing or cementing on a strip of leather. Probably ugly but functional. Oh, yes. Do replace the leather carrying strap, it is doubtless in sad shape,
Bayonet I lens shades are cheap from many sources, but the cheap ones don't allow mounting a filter, the cheap ones mount on the inner bayonet. Look for one that mounts on the outer bayonet. Tim at Filterfind.com can probably help; expect to pay $20 or so. He usually has a good selection of Bayonet I filters. I bought a el cheapo to tide me over till I found the real deal.

Interesting. My first rangefinder 35mm was a Beauty with IIRC a f 1.8 Canter lens, Seikosha shutter, etc. Really good lens, my Father and I used the Air Force targets from Edmund Scientific I think to test it and his AsahiFlex IIa lenses.. The Canter was very competitive. Sadly the shutter "blew up" and the cost for repair seemed too high at the time.

Oh, yes. As the Tech man if he could do a CLA on a KomaFlex S. I have one which has a sticking auto diaphragm.

GRHazelton said:

Oh, yes. As the Tech man if he could do a CLA on a KomaFlex S. I have one which has a sticking auto diaphragm.

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Ross Yerkes is the go to guy for Kowa. He fixed both my Komaflex and Kowa Six. He's in the book.