Good place for a CLA on the Rollei

[Ektagraphic]

Hi Guys- I have not been having good luck with my Rollei...First few rolls were okay. I didn't have time to shoot for a while so I put it down for a few weeks and now I am back to it. I took two rolls and put fixer in the dev tank instead of D-76 ....Now her shutter is staying open when at 1/60 or below so it is time for a CLA. I was wondering where here in New England was a good place. I have been reccomended Zach's Camera in Providence and Midstate in Warwick. I am near New Bedford....I would also prefer to get a good job done for $100 or less.....What would you reccomend doing?

Thanks,

Patrick

 

[Wishy]

What model Rollei?

 

[Ektagraphic]

Automat something....The latest model.

 

[Ektagraphic]

Rolleiflex Automat K4B...

 

[jmcd]

I highly recommend Karl Ehlers (edit: but he is in Washington, as near as your local post office.) At any rate, if you want a long-term fix you should use a Rollei expert, who will fully break down the camera into individual parts, clean, and lubricate properly. This will very likely be more than $100, but not too much more. However, if the transport needs an overhaul, you will be closer to $200. In my experience, the cheap fix on this camera is not worth it—too expensive.

kgehlers3 AT verizon DOT net

 

[Ektagraphic]

Will check him out. The shutter is my only issue.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

Paul Ebel in Wisconsin - he's great.
You can reach him at paulebel44@yahoo.com.

 

[Jim McD]

i highly recommend Mike Zachs in Providence. His motto is "we fix the impossible" and he has for me, at a reasonable price. A sticky shutter is not a big deal, and usually involves opening it up, cleaning the old lubricant away, and replacing it with new lubricant. I have fixed some of my own sticky shuttrs by squirting lighter fluid into the shutter--it works more often than not. I have also had great luck with "working the shutter" to loosen up the old lubricant. I do this by cocking and releasing the shutter from fast to slow speeds--it loosens up the old lubricant and reallly ticks off my wife. I have an old Wollensack stereo camera that needs this treatment before I take it out shooting.

 

[bdial]

I can recommend Zacks as well.

 

[Ektagraphic]

While he does want $165, I really(!!) want my Rollei to preform so I think I am going to bring it down to him! Does he do a good thorough job like he says he will? He tells me he will go through the lens and film transport cleaning lubing and adjusting it all....I want to be able to rely on this camera for a good amount of shooting for a while before I will have to service it again...

 

[bdial]

If you're referring to Zack's, he made my Retina II perform and look like a new camera. Can't speak specifically to your Rollei, but in my experience he does good work and knows old cameras.

 

[Jim McD]

I have been referring people to Mike Z for over 10 years and I have never heard a complaint. He does what he says he will do. I frequently bring him broken equipment when he sets up at the PHSNE shows. He once gave me back a broken Minolta XD 11 that simply had a loose transport screw-no charge and it is still working. He will also tell you when a $100 lens will cost you $150, you do the math. Mike is as honest as anyone I have ever met, and he will do exactly what he says h will. I often tell him to "get t breathing again" and he does, priced accordingly. When he has done complete overhauls, the cameras have worked flawlessly.

There are plenty of competent repair people out there. Mike is local, he stands behind his work, and he's a nice guy--that counts for a lot with me.

 

[Ektagraphic]

I am convinced now! Thanks so much for the advice. The Rollei shall definatly go to him as soon as I can get it in!

 

[Ektagraphic]

Just discoved another problem with the Rollei ! When I crank the film advace knob, the shutter fires multiple times...Time for Zack's!!