Fix or no? - Rolleiflex

IGmeanwell · Jul 9, 2008

I come to APUG for opinions as I am undecided here:

I purchased a Rolleiflex 3.5E Planar in April, have enjoyed it immensely, it was in user condition working perfectly (needing a hood) and everything has been dandy. In honesty it could have used a CLA, the viewing lens was quite dirty and the taking lens has some dirt in the elements (not effecting the image)

Until the night of the 4th of July when upon arriving home my Rollei slipped out of my Lowe Pro hitting the ground from about 1 ft high. A slight ding on the edge below the taking lens, but no major damage until I tried to focus it. It won't focus past a couple ft, it hangs up with one side visible sticking while the other starts to pull back towards the body. Also the shutter dial is now sticky.

I have a ton of medium format film, I really enjoy medium format however do not have a ton of money to spend on it. I haven't yet received quotes from the various repairmen so thankfully suggested on apug, however most local guys I have talk to estimate I will be paying about the same as I paid for the camera to begin with (the average for a user grade 3.5E).

So my question, should I bother repairing this? Should sell it as is and perhaps go another direction with medium format? Will sending it for repair make this camera worth the additional 180-300 dollars more I would spend on it (depending o the quote)?

I have used this primarily as a complimentary camera (2nd camera) for shoots, weddings, and of course family ... mostly on the portrait end

Things I like, compact, relatively quiet, simple, and excellent lens (lower contrast but very sharp). TLR was a bit to get used to but one thing I did take from the experience was I find the square format very natural for composition.

Thank You in advance for suggestions and comments.

arigram · Jul 9, 2008

I guess you have three options:
1) Repair it
2) Give it up
3) Buy a new one
If the price for repair is the same as another one and assuming that you buy it at that price, you might as well get yourself a second and keep the first one. Someday you might fix it and have two of them (really useful for your type of photography) or keep it for spares.

dpurdy · Jul 9, 2008

One thing is that if you buy another user camera the chance is that it needs a CLA also. it sounds to me like a CLA might fix the problem with your 3.5E and then you would have a camera that you know is sharp and is in good condition for only the price of a CLA vs the price of a different camera plus a CLA. If you come to the conclusion that you are going to sell the 3.5E for parts you might try to find a repair manual in ebay or on line somewhere and see if you can take the front off and realign the shutter controls and focus rail.

Larry.Manuel · Jul 9, 2008

On the horns of a dilemma.

dpurdy said:
One thing is that if you buy another user camera the chance is that it needs a CLA also. ....

dpurdy said it well. I will add [being an owner of 3 vintage Rollei TLRs, all CLA'd, with Maxwell screens by Harry Fleenor] that the Rollei TLR is an expensive camera. The fact that they are available for low cost right now makes ownership confusing. In the fifties, a new Rolleiflex cost at least several months of US average industrial wages. Maybe even 6 months' worth of wages.

If someone gave a non-wealthy person a Lamborghini [for example], the first time it required an oil change and filter [or fixing a flat tire], would mean ownership is practically over.

If you think of a Rolleiflex as a $2000+ camera, the CLA cost begins to seem less ridiculous.

Good luck. I'm not trying to advise you what to do, just offer my views.

Tom Hoskinson · Jul 9, 2008

If it was my Rollei, I'd take it to Harry Fleenor for a CLA and whatever else it needs.

Jerevan · Jul 9, 2008

I second dpurdys opinion, having CLA'd a few of my cameras - it is really worth it, if you intend to use them and depend on them.

Ian Grant · Jul 9, 2008

A good repair shop should be able to advise whether it's worth having the camera repaired.

One problem with TLR's like Rollei's, Yashica's, Minolta's etc is if dropped the focus mechanism can become damaged & twisted. This can usually be repaired but is quite a time consuming and expensive job. My Yashicamat has just come back from having the shutter CLA'd the repairers telephoned to say there was some minor damage to the focus mechanism, there is a small ding on a rear corner of the camera, he indicated it probably wasn't economic to repair and as the camera functions OK I just had the shutter serviced.

Ian

BrianShaw · Jul 9, 2008

Tom Hoskinson said:
If it was my Rollei, I'd take it to Harry Fleenor for a CLA and whatever else it needs.

If it were my rollei, I'd take it to Pro Camera Service in Thousand Oaks CA for a CLA and whatever else it needs.

(Harry is a great guy with a great reputation but I got the same quality service a lot quicker by going elsewhere.)

"Will sending it for repair make this camera worth the additional 180-300 dollars more I would spend on it (depending o the quote)? "

Probably not, but spending the money will leave you with a really nice, fully operational camera!

Greg_E · Jul 9, 2008

It's a 3.5 so not the most desired Rolleiflex to be made.

Not sure what is jamming the shutter, but I bet the flat metal "rail" is bent which is why the focus does not function. I have a 'cord like that, it's in pieces right now but I don't think I will ever get the focus rails aligned properly so that the taking lens sits parallel with the film plane. Might be better to put the $300 towards a nice already CLA'd Rolleicord V (or Va or Vb) and have a nice clean functional camera. $300 should get you a decent one of these.

Before sending it for repair, I would probably tear into it. That said this repair is going to take all or nothing resolve since it will require removing the front, and removing the sides. That means all the leather will need to come off, all the knobs, etc. It could be a very big project if you aren't into repairing things like this.

Tom Hoskinson · Jul 9, 2008

BrianShaw said:
If it were my rollei, I'd take it to Pro Camera Service in Thousand Oaks CA for a CLA and whatever else it needs.

(Harry is a great guy with a great reputation but I got the same quality service a lot quicker by going elsewhere.)

"Will sending it for repair make this camera worth the additional 180-300 dollars more I would spend on it (depending o the quote)? "

Probably not, but spending the money will leave you with a really nice, fully operational camera!

Yes Brian, I agree, Pro Camera Service in Thousand Oaks CA is an excellent Rollei CLA and repair resource.

He's retired now and has moved to Washington State, but my favorite Rollei guy is Karl Ehlers (one of the original founders of Pro Camera Service in Thousand Oaks CA).

naturephoto1 · Jul 9, 2008

You could contact Krikor Maralian at Krimar Photo Shop in Elmwood Park, NJ,

Krikor used to work for Marflex and has had his own Photo shop for over 25. He is one of the best technicians for older Rollei cameras in the US. He has kept my Rollei 3.5F camera in great working order over the years and has done other work for me on my large format lenses and also on my Linhof cameras.

Krikor's address and phone are:

Krikor Maralian
Krimar Photo Shop
1058 Broadway (Rt 4)
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
(201) 796-0554

Rich

john taylor · Jul 9, 2008

Contact info for Karl Ehlers?

Hi Tom,

Do you know how to get in touch with Karl Ehlers in Washington State?

John

Nick Merritt · Jul 9, 2008

Krikor, definitely. He's worked on two Rollei TLRs of mine and a Rollei 35. Excellent service, and very fast.

Tom Hoskinson · Jul 9, 2008

I will search my messy address files, John.

eddym · Jul 9, 2008

Another vote for Krimar.

Rolleiflexible · Jul 9, 2008

I agree with Dennis, that it's worth the effort
to send it out for repair. A 3.5E is a great
camera, and don't listen to those who say it
is inferior to the 2.8 series. It is not.

As for repair recommendations ... I have used
Krikor many times. Without going into details,
I send all my work now to Paul Ebel in Wisconsin.
Paul does great work, and he gets it right. His
turnaround is usually a few weeks, and his prices
are more than fair.

You can reach Paul at paulebel44@yahoo.com .

Sanders McNew

Mark Antony · Jul 10, 2008

I say fix it. You'll have a great camera that (looked after) will last you another 20 years.
The 3.5F is a great camera, I used one for years for weddings.
Have fun!
Mark

IGmeanwell · Jul 10, 2008

Thanks for the comments

The CLA would be needed but the main problem is the damage to the focusing mechanism, the range right now on the dial is from .9 (close as it can focus) and can move to 1.2 before it binds up ... can't get anywhere near infinity at the moment.

The shutter fires ok, the aperture works perfectly, the shutter wheel feels as though it binds between 1/60 and 1/125th, the focusing is the biggest problem

Sanders I will email Paul ... thanks for the reccomendation (BTW I really enjoy your Rollei work), and I will also be contacting probably Krikor as he is closest to me, but if they in fact states its not worth fixing.... what other recommendations other than a Rollei would be a option? Obviously I have heard good things about the 124G and the Mamiyas ... anything else in this price range? Doesn't only have to be TLR

CraigH · Jul 10, 2008

Krikor is honest. My Rolliflex fell off a 3 ft shelf & the hood was dented & the focusing was off. I live near him & brought it in & he said it was not worth fixing because the focusing may never properly work.
Craig

Greg_E · Jul 10, 2008

CraigH said:
Krikor is honest. My Rolliflex fell off a 3 ft shelf & the hood was dented & the focusing was off. I live near him & brought it in & he said it was not worth fixing because the focusing may never properly work.
Craig

Which is pretty much the conclusion I have made of my 'cord that had a similar fate before I bought it. Getting the pieces flat and true is going to be about impossible. The best way to deal with it is to replace the bent parts.

But you waste little money sending it to him for an estimate, maybe he will buy it for parts which will give you a little more money to put towards something good.

Since you don't seem to care too much what the camera is, I again suggest looking for a good refurbished Rolleicord. After that I would look at the Mamiya220 or 330 systems and see if you can find one in good shape and get a couple of lenses. And if more money suddenly becomes available, you can look into getting a really good Rolleiflex, maybe even one of the brand new ones that roll out (a few each year).

john cowie · Jul 10, 2008

I picked up a Rolleiflex T 40 years ago in high school. Other than a CLA about 15 years ago it works fine. I've seen them going pretty cheap on ebay but I don't know how it stands up to your 3.5. But you might want to keep it in mind. BTW I had my CLA done at Essex Camera in Carlstadt, NJ. very good work. Good Luck with your decision.

Nick Merritt · Jul 10, 2008

Interesting about the T -- it's a fine camera as far as I can tell, but the guy who's worked on my Rolleis (Krikor Marelian) considers them quite inferior to the 2.8s and 3.5s.

wilsonneal · Jul 10, 2008

Another vote for Krikor Maralian. If it's worth fixing, he'll say so, if not, he won't touch it. He also has a number of used Rolleis on the shelf at any time.
Neal

Fix or no? - Rolleiflex

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