Cosmetic surgery for my Rolleicord

razocaine_07 · Feb 4, 2014

I recently aquired a lovely little Rolleicord III and while the mechanics and shutter are immaculate, the leather covering the camera is shot. Was wondering if anyone who has pimped up a camera in the past could tell me what is safe to use that will allow me to remove the leather from the camera (i.e. to dissolve old glue). Also if there are any nifty tools to make this job easier, i would also appreciate the info.

On another not, can someone remind me who makes the focusing screens for Rollei's? I cant remember and hate the dim, dark original

Ta

baachitraka · Feb 4, 2014

Expensive screens: Maxwell Bright Screen andBeattie Interbright screen. Pref., without split-screen.

In-expensive: I do not recommend.

razocaine_07 · Feb 4, 2014

thank you, i would rather invest in a good quality screen

gone · Feb 4, 2014

I do recommend inexpensive RB-67 screens you can cut down. Otherwise, yes, stay away from the cheapies. There is a guy on ebay that sells new mirrors for cheap (I gave him the dimensions for Rolleicord, Brilliant, and a few other TLRs from my cameras), and Rick Oleson will sell you a cut down Mamiya screen for small money. Those changes will probably make a huge difference. The mirrors are the bomb for his prices. Buy 2 or 3!

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-175.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolleicord-...083?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cdb4faa9b

Nick Merritt · Feb 4, 2014

According to Cameraleather, a citrus-based solvent should work well. Their site is very informative, and they have stock kits to recover the Rolleicord III: http://www.cameraleather.com/rolleitlr/

Also, rick_oleson.tripod.com has good and inexpensive focusing screens.

baachitraka · Feb 4, 2014

After the surgery, I may recommend to get Rolleinar I and II and Rolleifix. Those xenars are sharp, seriously sharp.

razocaine_07 · Feb 4, 2014

Thanks for the advice and links, are the rolleinars are close up filters I presume?

baachitraka · Feb 6, 2014

Yes they are close up filters. With Rolleinar I you may possibly focus anywhere in-between 50cm-100cm and with II that shrinks down to 33cm - 50cm.

bsdunek · Feb 6, 2014

The leather on older cameras was secured with shellac, which is soluble in alcohol. This can be obtained at any paint supply. Vinyl coverings on later cameras are secured with a variety of contact adhesives, which are soluble in such things as MEK or laquer thinner. You have to be more careful with these as they can damage plastic parts.
I would peel off all I can, and try the citrus-based solvent as Nick says. Its very mild and shouldn't hurt anything - but don't get in the mechanism. If that doesn't work, I would try the alcohol, followed by naptha, followed by MEK. Hopefully you don't have to go that far.

razocaine_07 · Feb 7, 2014

Brilliant, thank you again for everyone's help

Cosmetic surgery for my Rolleicord

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