Detatched spring from Rolleiflex Automat Model 4

[skinnyvoice]

Hi,

This is possibly a longshot but I hope you can help. While shooting a roll of film on a Rolleiflex Automat I heard a rattling. I finished the roll, took off the finder hood and focussing screen, turned it upside down and gave it a little shake. This is what came out

Dead Link Removed

It is approx 10mm long including hook with a diameter of approx 2mm. Does anybody recognise this part and/or have any idea what it is and where it is from? And how critical it might be!

I developed the film OK & ran another roll through it. I even got one of the best photos of my dog just running a test roll, so it isn't all bad! Focus is smooth, shutter speeds sound OK including 1 second, film transport seems to be working OK, and 'springy' things such as the MX lever, self timer, magnifier etc are all working. The shutter stays open on B.

Is there anything else I should be looking for that would indicate where the spring came from? I haven't got another Automat to compare it with.

If anybody can help it would set my mind at ease. I guess I'll have to have it looked at anyway.

Charles

 

[archphoto]

This a part of a broken spring.
I would have to check my Rolleiflex diagrams when I am back in Holland again by the second half of September.

Peter

 

[ic-racer]

The springs on the focus hood are a little different. One a brief overview of the 2.8F/Rolleicord repair manual, I see a similar spring (#82 in the diagram) but I'm not sure that spring would be able to wind up under the focus screen.

 

[skinnyvoice]

The springs on the focus hood are a little different. One a brief overview of the 2.8F/Rolleicord repair manual, I see a similar spring (#82 in the diagram) but I'm not sure that spring would be able to wind up under the focus screen.

Wow! That is really complex. It has helped me made up my mind to sent it to Brian Mickleboro, a Rollei repair guy here in the UK. I just spoke to him and he reckons it is part of the shutter cocking mechanism. I'd feel really uneasy using it with the spring missing anyways. It is worth it because the Automat is in pretty good condition considering its age, it is an early Model 4 so I'm guessing that means 1951. Probably time for some TLC.

Many thanks for the responses. I'm fairly new to APUG (posting anyway) and the support here is amazing!

 

[Sirius Glass]

It is worth it because the Automat is in pretty good condition considering its age, it is an early Model 4 so I'm guessing that means 1951.

Any camera that is less than half a century old has not finished the aging process and should be put back on the shelf until its time.

Steve

 

[skinnyvoice]

Any camera that is less than half a century old has not finished the aging process and should be put back on the shelf until its time.

Lol.

My cameras are never on the shelf I like using them too much. As I get older, so do my cameras for some reason... I recently got a 1930's Bessa RF that judging by its condition (excellent) has been on somebody's shelf for years but its time has come! It is now getting more use than it thought it might do as an octogenarian elder.

I can't be doing with shelves