"Dancing aperture" on my Rolleiflex 6008

[peter2022]

I have a perfectly functioning Rolleiflex 6008, tested with various lenses I own. I recently bought a 40mm Zeiss Distagon FLE. When mounted on the camera, I get "dancing aperture" readings: say I set the aperture ring to f/8. When I look into the finder, the aperture reading starts flickering between 8, 11, 16, 22, 32. I can shoot photos, but I am not sure what aperture gets applied since film is to flexible, but the flickering values are super annoying because the exposure reading also flicker (I suppose it's the camera meter trying to keep up with the changing aperture values). The problem only exists at apertures f/8 or smaller (11, 16...) which leads me to think it's something with the contacts inside the aperture ring.
My camera works fine with other lenses. I tried cleaning the contacts of the lens bayonet with alcohol, but the problem is still there.

Has somebody had this problem before? Can I fix it at home?

 

[Pieter12]

What happens if you set the camera to shutter-priority or program? I have had a couple of Rollei 6008 lenses (not the 40 Zeiss, though) with sticky apertures, so the lens could need some service.

 

[peter2022]

What happens if you set the camera to shutter-priority or program? I have had a couple of Rollei 6008 lenses (not the 40 Zeiss, though) with sticky apertures, so the lens could need some service.

If i rotate the aperture ring all the way and let the red button on the lens click (where the camera chooses the aperture) then the aperture readings stops flickering- but I want to pick the aperture myself…

 

[Pieter12]

A work-around would be to leave the aperture in the red button (automatic) setting and change the shutter speed to get the aperture reading in the viewfinder that you want. Also, make sure you have a fully-charged battery. I have sometimes run into problems when the battery is only half-charged.

 

[4season]

This chart suggests limited compatibility using older HFT (Non-PQ) lenses on a 6008 body, but does not elaborate:
https://rolleiflex6000.eu/system6000chart2.php

 

[itsdoable]

I sounds like noisy contacts on the aperture ring trace.

The fix would be new parts. Temporary fix is contact cleaner, and/or tweaking the wipers so they contact on a different area. Either way, it's has to come apart for that service.

Might be easier to just use shutter priority and exposure compensation to select the desired aperture.

 

[peter2022]

This chart suggests limited compatibility using older HFT (Non-PQ) lenses on a 6008 body, but does not elaborate:
https://rolleiflex6000.eu/system6000chart2.php

My body is a 6008 integral...in any case, the lens was described as "perfect" on ebay, and then the vendor convinced me to continue the transaction outside of ebay...lesson learned.

 

[ic-racer]

These lenses are not easy to take apart. Can you send it back?

 

[Pieter12]

These lenses are not easy to take apart. Can you send it back?

I hope the OP got the lens for a good price. If the aperture is indeed working, just not necessarily as intended on the 6008i body, he can still use it.

 

[Sirius Glass]

You have high quality camera and lens, so if cleaning the contacts does not fix the problem, have the lens services. State the problem and ask for the cost to fix the problem versus any complete service. Once fixed you can enjoy your lens and never think of the problem again.

 

[Pieter12]

Not sure about Europe, but Rollei 6008 (including the lenses) service in the States is hard to find, and so are the parts. I think the factory (dw photo) might be a good choice if you can get a response from them.

 

[peter2022]

These lenses are not easy to take apart. Can you send it back?

I'll try...

 

[peter2022]

I hope the OP got the lens for a good price. If the aperture is indeed working, just not necessarily as intended on the 6008i body, he can still use it.

not...full price. I'll contact the seller, he seems to be a nice guy.

 

[peter2022]

Update - I called Herr Paepke, and he fixed me over the phone, that's how good he is! (it was basically a matter of convincing the camera to work with the lens and the magazine).

 

[Sirius Glass]

Update - I called Herr Paepke, and he fixed me over the phone, that's how good he is! (it was basically a matter of convincing the camera to work with the lens and the magazine).

Good ending. Now we need to know if Herr Paepke can fix other things over the phone as well. For example, my neighbor has a dog that barks all the time. I would love to get the dog owner fixed.

 

[Pieter12]

Update - I called Herr Paepke, and he fixed me over the phone, that's how good he is! (it was basically a matter of convincing the camera to work with the lens and the magazine).

That is great. Too bad he doesn't work on the Hy6. I would send my gear to Germany if I thought it might get repaired within a reasonable time. Of course, if there aren't any parts coming from the factory, nobody is going to get that done.

 

[peter2022]

Good ending. Now we need to know if Herr Paepke can fix other things over the phone as well. For example, my neighbor has a dog that barks all the time. I would love to get the dog owner fixed.

Well you don’t need Herr Paepke for that. A 6008 is all metal and weighs about 2,5 kilos, but that’s not a reason to go into medium format

 

[peter2022]

That is great. Too bad he doesn't work on the Hy6. I would send my gear to Germany if I thought it might get repaired within a reasonable time. Of course, if there aren't any parts coming from the factory, nobody is going to get that done.

Can it not be done with a donor camera? Just curious.

 

[buildbot]

Can it not be done with a donor camera? Just curious.

Finding donor HY6s is not easy or cheap?

Speaking of which, If anyone has an IR window cover for a HY6….

 

[peter2022]

Finding donor HY6s is not easy or cheap?

Speaking of which, If anyone has an IR window cover for a HY6….

Get it 3d printed?

 

[ic-racer]

Thanks for the update. Can you explain exactly what you did to fix it?
I have had a non-working 6008i and dysfunctional lens sitting around for a while now and have considered sending them to him.

 

[peter2022]

Thanks for the update. Can you explain exactly what you did to fix it?
I have had a non-working 6008i and dysfunctional lens sitting around for a while now and have considered sending them to him.

Well I don’t think you have a starting point - my camera worked perfectly- but this is it: you need to play between the shutter speed ring, the magazine (take it off, put it back on), the lens (take it off, put it back on) and the aperture ring.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

If that is all it took to get it working then you probably just had some dirty contacts.

 

[Pieter12]

Can it not be done with a donor camera? Just curious.

A bit expensive to obtain a donor camera or back. There just aren't that many around. I have an older (Leaf) body that I'd love to get upgraded to Mod2, but communication with the factory is spotty and I don't want to send it all the way to Germany to have it languish there. The other issue is I have a film back that needs a dark slide repair, and the factory didn't send all the parts necessary to Dave at Key Camera who is the only technician in the U.S. I love the camera but have soured on the support.

 

[peter2022]

A bit expensive to obtain a donor camera or back. There just aren't that many around. I have an older (Leaf) body that I'd love to get upgraded to Mod2, but communication with the factory is spotty and I don't want to send it all the way to Germany to have it languish there. The other issue is I have a film back that needs a dark slide repair, and the factory didn't send all the parts necessary to Dave at Key Camera who is the only technician in the U.S. I love the camera but have soured on the support.

Well, I adopted a preemptive stance about it. These cameras are 20/30 years old and the manufacturer went bankrupt. I use a 6008 body - should it break, it’s probably easier to just buy a naked one on eBay - no prism, no magazine, not expensive and let the old one be repaired, hopefully. I am pretty sure I will accumulate 3/4 bodies over time. Also 3/4 copies of the Xenotar, the best portrait lens in the world.

If I wanted to do MF digital (I will probably never want to , I would probably go with hassle-blad, you can get a body for dirt cheap, and do the same accumulation.