Can I lubricate a Rolleicord V shutter myself?

dpurdy · Jan 30, 2025

I have a really nice condition Rolleicord V that I should sell because I have two Rolleiflexes already. The problem is that the shutter speeds are slow. They are almost exactly half speed. I once warmed the camera up in the Sun and they got back to nearly correct. But then they went back to half speed. I think to have this professionally corrected would cost as much as the camera is worth so I might as well keep it as a desk ornament.

What is the chance that I could, as a non camera repair person with no special tools, figure out how to clean and lube the shutter with out ruining the camera?

Thanks

BrianShaw · Jan 30, 2025

That is one of the more challenging shutters to overhaul.

Without intent to be mean spirited, based on your self described skills I’d suggest not attempting this repair.

Edit: the cost of professional service often exceeds “the value”. That’s just a fact. The question is more about whether you want to use the camera, and have it perform accurately/reliably, or not. Personally, I had my Vb overhauled twice over about 30 years of use and don’t regret spending the money one iota. It’s a really good and capable camera

monopix · Jan 30, 2025

You should sell it as-is and let someone else do the work. There's a market for such cameras and someone will fix it.

titrisol · Jan 30, 2025

dpurdy said:
What is the chance that I could, as a non camera repair person with no special tools, figure out how to clean and lube the shutter with out ruining the camera?

Rolleis are very complex and need someone very experienced to sort them out.
I'd presonally recommend you leave it to a pro.

dpurdy · Jan 30, 2025

Well OK then. Everyone agrees to don't do it. So I guess I have to figure out the value to sell as is.
First though I think I am going to warm it up again, so the one second doesn't take 2 seconds, and then just operate it over and over for a half hour or so and see if it sorts itself out.
Thanks

Bwbuff · Jan 30, 2025

I have similar dilemma, not the Rolleicord, but an Afga Ioslette III with sluggish 1/2 and 1 sec, the repair cost will be much higher than the camera cost itself. Then I asked myself if the faster speed are within tolerance limit, why bother fixing, how often the 1/2 or 1 sec speed will be used ? very rare. I just don't use any speed slower than 1/30 sec.

baachitraka · Jan 30, 2025

No. Send it to the to the gent who can do that for you.

titrisol · Jan 30, 2025

Bwbuff said:
I have similar dilemma, not the Rolleicord, but an Afga Ioslette III with sluggish 1/2 and 1 sec, the repair cost will be much higher than the camera cost itself. Then I asked myself if the faster speed are within tolerance limit, why bother fixing, how often the 1/2 or 1 sec speed will be used ? very rare. I just don't use any speed slower than 1/30 sec.

The Isolette is a relatively simple camera, and the shutter (Pronto or Compur) are well documented.
Getting it sorted out and installing a new bellows is not difficult if you have a tiny bit of experience, steady hands and patience.

Melvin J Bramley · Jan 30, 2025

Have it repaired properly.
You will then have a camera that you can rely on for years to come.
Selling it and buying another older used camera will likely put you back where you started.
Owning a good reliable camera is an investment in your photography not your bank account.

flavio81 · Jan 30, 2025

dpurdy · Jan 30, 2025

Melvin J Bramley said:
Have it repaired properly.
You will then have a camera that you can rely on for years to come.
Selling it and buying another older used camera will likely put you back where you started.
Owning a good reliable camera is an investment in your photography not your bank account.

Except I already have a late version 2.8F and a 2.8FX and a Pentax 67 system to accompany my 4x5 and 8x10 systems, so I really just want to sell it.

BrianShaw · Jan 30, 2025

There should be enough Rolleicord Vs sold on eBay to get a good idea of a reasonable selling price.

ic-racer · Jan 30, 2025

Sell it as-is.

F4U · Jan 31, 2025

ic-racer said:
Sell it as-is.

Exactly.

baachitraka · Jan 31, 2025

Yes. Sell it without touching anything. There are people who would CLA and keep it running for another 20 years

Alex Varas · Jan 31, 2025

dpurdy said:
I have a really nice condition Rolleicord V that I should sell because I have two Rolleiflexes already. The problem is that the shutter speeds are slow. They are almost exactly half speed. I once warmed the camera up in the Sun and they got back to nearly correct. But then they went back to half speed. I think to have this professionally corrected would cost as much as the camera is worth so I might as well keep it as a desk ornament.

What is the chance that I could, as a non camera repair person with no special tools, figure out how to clean and lube the shutter with out ruining the camera?

Thanks

As repairman, when a customer comes with a camera to be repaired and being sold right after, my advice is always sell it as it’s, put a price accordingly to the state and let the buyer take it to repair the camera.

retina_restoration · Jan 31, 2025

I've had to repair cameras that the owner had attempted to "service" to fix one or more issues, and I can tell you it's no fun trying to undo the mess some of these people make with a camera. Sometimes, they do something incorrectly and end up causing serious damage to an expensive/rare component, so the cost of repair goes up and up.
Leave it alone and let the next owner get it done right.

campy51 · Jan 31, 2025

Let me know what you want for it. I would be interested at the right price.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 31, 2025

Why is it so complicated that everyone advises against doing it yourself? Who can explain the process?

We don't shy away from any challenge here in the forum?

campy51 · Jan 31, 2025

Andreas Thaler said:
That sounds interesting.

What services would you offer?

Sorry but I don't understand what you are asking me.

Andreas Thaler · Jan 31, 2025

campy51 said:
Sorry but I don't understand what you are asking me.

Sorry, I thought you offered a repair service, my mistake!

I have deleted my post.

Dan Daniel · Jan 31, 2025

Andreas Thaler said:
Why is it so complicated that everyone advises against doing it yourself? Who can explain the process?

We don't shy away from any challenge here in the forum?

OP wrote: What is the chance that I could, as a non camera repair person with no special tools, figure out how to clean and lube the shutter with out ruining the camera?

The condition of the shutter he is describing needs a stripdown cleaning for lasting results. A few drops of lighter fluid on the escapement may get it working for a while but it will start dragging again before too long. His placement in sun is doing something similar- causing the gummed-up lubes and dirt to lower viscosity slightly. Remove heat/dry out fluid, and back to slow.

Here's a Synchro-Compur stripped down to the level needed. Does this help explain why people are suggesting to not do this? And this doesn't even touch getting the shutter out of the camera itself.

image from: https://retinarescue.com/synchro-compur.html

Andreas Thaler · Jan 31, 2025

Dan Daniel said:
OP wrote: What is the chance that I could, as a non camera repair person with no special tools, figure out how to clean and lube the shutter with out ruining the camera?

The condition of the shutter he is describing needs a stripdown cleaning for lasting results. A few drops of lighter fluid on the escapement may get it working for a while but it will start dragging again before too long. His placement in sun is doing something similar- causing the gummed-up lubes and dirt to lower viscosity slightly. Remove heat/dry out fluid, and back to slow.

Here's a Synchro-Compur stripped down to the level needed. Does this help explain why people are suggesting to not do this? And this doesn't even touch getting the shutter out of the camera itself.

View attachment 389588

image from: https://retinarescue.com/synchro-compur.html

All right!

Now we have a picture

cliveh · Jan 31, 2025

Why not leave this to professional camera repair people who know what they are doing? You don't and could ruin your camera.

dpurdy · Jan 31, 2025

cliveh said:
Why not leave this to professional camera repair people who know what they are doing? You don't and could ruin your camera.

Yes that is clearly the consensus, and I am convinced. I have taken the front off both my 2.8F and FX to clean the lenses and that was pretty easy/ zen and the art of camera maintenance. So I thought perhaps if I took the front off the Rolleicord I could find a spot that a drop of 3 in 1 or a bit of lighter fluid would fix it at least temporarily. But apparently that is not an option, there is no spot to lube. However that was the reason for my posting the question.

Can I lubricate a Rolleicord V shutter myself?

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