Experience with Paepke Fototechnik (Düsseldorf) Rolleiflex shutter timing issues

[Analogski]

Hello everyone,


I would appreciate some first-hand experience regarding Paepke Fototechnik in Düsseldorf, particularly for Rolleiflex shutter work.


My Rolleiflex 3.5F (Synchro-Compur shutter) has recently been serviced by a very experienced Rolleiflex technician in The Netherlands. The camera received a CLA, mechanical inspection and a repair of shutter speeds that were way off.
The slower speeds seem to be stable now, but the shutter speeds are still not within specification.


Measured before service (using a shutter tester), the results are:

• 1s → ~1/0.8
• 1/2 → 1/3.2
• 1/4 → 1/5.78
• 1/8 → 1/9.79
• 1/15 → 1/26.42
• 1/30 → 1/42.89
• 1/60 → 1/130
• 1/125 → 1/277
• 1/250 → 1/280
• 1/500 → 1/425

The 1/60 and 1/125 speeds are more than one stop fast, while 1/500 does not fully reach nominal speed. The technician indicated that he was unable to bring the shutter fully back into tolerance, possibly due to internal wear.

After the service:

• 1s → ~1/0.8
• 1/2 → ~1/3.2
• 1/4 → ~1/5
• 1/8 → ~1/7
• 1/15 → ~1/10
• 1/30 → ~1/40
• 1/60 → ~1/100
• 1/125 → ~1/250
• 1/250 → ~1/300
• 1/500 → ~1/400

Now, I've sent the camera to Paepke in Düsseldorf.


I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has had a Rolleiflex serviced by Paepke, had significant shutter timing deviations corrected successfully, can comment on their current pricing range for shutter overhaul or deeper mechanical work.


I don't think that a complete shutter restoration is needed. I’m simply trying to determine whether this is likely to be a minor adjustment, a full shutter rebuild, or potentially uneconomical.


Many thanks in advance for any insights.

 

[koraks]

If the speeds are consistent, I'd just write them down and accept the situation as it is. With a few exceptions, the speeds look reasonably good and more importantly, the are fairly nicely spaced so as to allow for a suitable exposure to be set in virtually all situations.

 

[OAPOli]

What sort of shutter tester are you using? Measuring shutter times isn't trivial, especially for the fast speeds.

The Synchro-Compur has three adjustment points for 1s to 1/8s, 1/15s to 1/250s and 1/500s. So the problems at 1/2 and 1/125 + 1/60 seem odd. It could be wear on the speed setting cam. This can be fixed by swaging or filing but you have to be dead sure of the measurements.

1/60-1/100 is not more than one stop off but 2/3 off (still bad if accurately measured); nominal speeds at 1/500 are rarely achieved (the tolerance is +/-20%).

 

[Analogski]

What sort of shutter tester are you using? Measuring shutter times isn't trivial, especially for the fast speeds.

The Synchro-Compur has three adjustment points for 1s to 1/8s, 1/15s to 1/250s and 1/500s. So the problems at 1/2 and 1/125 + 1/60 seem odd. It could be wear on the speed setting cam. This can be fixed by swaging or filing but you have to be dead sure of the measurements.

1/60-1/100 is not more than one stop off but 2/3 off (still bad if accurately measured); nominal speeds at 1/500 are rarely achieved (the tolerance is +/-20%).

I didn't use a tester. The technician did

 

[OAPOli]

Well I would trust the diagnosis of the technician and use the measured speeds. Getting a second opinion is nice too.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Are the speeds consistent?
Have you talked to your technician to fix it?#
In another thread I mentioned one amsterdam based tecchie.

 

[Ian C]

Per Post #1,

The shutter times shown as marked speed, after-service measured speed, and difference in stops, are:

1 sec, 1/0.8 sec, + 0.32 stop

1/2 sec, 1/3.2 sec, - 0.68 stop

1/4 sec, 1/5 sec, - 0.32 stop

1/8 sec, 1/7 sec, + 0.19 stop

1/15 sec, 1/10 sec, + 0.68 stop (marked 1/15 sec. is 1/16 sec. per convention)

1/30 sec, 1/40 sec, - 0.32 stop (intended time is 1/32)

1/60 sec, 1/100 sec, - 0.64 stop (intended time 1/64)

1/125 sec, 1/250 sec, - 0.97 stop (intended time 1/128)

1/250 sec, 1/300 sec, - 0.23 stop (intended time 1/256)

1/500 sec, 1/400 sec, + 0.36 stop (intended time 1/512)

 

[MARTIE]

I don't know if you're familiar with Mael, located in France?
Website:

réparation, restauration d'appareils photo Limoges

réparation appareil photo limoges, restauration appareil photo et mécanique photographie limoges

www.optomeca.fr

He has a thread that he recently updated on LFPF but it's worth reading the whole thread.

New camera repair service and custom machining in France

Hello. I am proud to announce the opening of a camera repair and restoration service specialized in vintage and classic cameras, that includes custom machining for lenses and large format camera parts. :) It will be open on the beginning of 2024. Please feel free to visit my website...

www.largeformatphotography.info

He specialises in Rollei's.

 

[GG12]

I agree with the recommendation of "use what you know, and work with those speeds". It's simple enough and you won't have to go down any further rabbit holes....