Many blanks on Rolleiflex film rolls

trondsi

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My Rolleiflex 2.8e has a tendency to skip frames. I am wondering if this is a common problem, if I'm doing something wrong, or if it needs repairs. On my last roll, I only used 8 out of the 12 shots. One shot that I made is missing (I probably made a mistake there) but the others were just skipped, meaning that I never fired the shutter, and the film is not exposed. I often wind the film, lock it, and put it in my bag. Should I always wind it before shooting rather than after?
 

Sirius Glass

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That should not happen. It sounds like the camera needs a CLA.
 

Theo Sulphate

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The order of winding doesn't matter. Winding to the next frame cocks the shutter and it's ready to fire.

What do you mean by "lock it"? Are you winding to the next frame (which cocks the shutter) then you lock the shutter before putting the camera in your bag? If so, something may be amiss there when you try to unlock it.

You could open the back, point at a light source, wind and fire multiple times, and you should see the shutter trip each time.
 

Richard S. (rich815)

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Time for a CLA and possibly a transport overhaul. I recommend Harry Fleenor if you want it done the best and right. Not cheap but you get what you pay for and he's the best. I had worked with others for my Rolleiflexes in the past, big mistake, and will now never have them worked on by anyone but Harry. He's worked on my Tele-Rolleiflex, my 2.8E, and my 3.5E and all work perfectly for many years now.
 

ToddB

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Yes.. The transport need adjusted. Mine was over lapping before I got I sent it to Fleenor.
 
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trondsi

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Thanks guys!
My local repair guy seems to know a lot about rolleis. Not sure how much I like the idea of shipping it.

yes, I tend to wind it, and lock the shutter.

(On the good side of things: those 8 photos came back pretty nice. Nothing wrong with the shutter speed or lens, this camera seems to really like Provia 100f in case you haven't tried that)
 
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trondsi

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Wait a second. Is this Harry Fleenor in Oceanside Camera? That's less than an hour away from me.
 

TheFlyingCamera

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Every once in a blue moon (one out of 50+ rolls) mine skips just the very first frame. Which is a known issue with certain film types- just sometimes the automatic film thickness sensor doesn't read the start of the roll when it should. But yours is skipping frames mid-roll? You should definitely get it checked out by a qualified professional. If you live an hour drive from Harry Fleenor, there is absolutely no reason NOT to have him service it.
 

dpurdy

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The shutter is so quiet with a Rollei that you don't notice when it fails to go. My 2.8F started doing that and it slowly got worse till it would rarely fire at all. Sent it to Oceanside camera and Harry overhauled the shutter.
 

Jim Noel

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trondsi said:
Wait a second. Is this Harry Fleenor in Oceanside Camera? That's less than an hour away from me.
Click to expand...

Yes, One and the same. He wil make it like new.
 
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trondsi

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Sounds good! I will take it to Mr. Fleenor when I get back from Vancouver. Will use my Rolleiflex Automat in the meantime.
 

Sirius Glass

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dpurdy said:
The shutter is so quiet with a Rollei that you don't notice when it fails to go. My 2.8F started doing that and it slowly got worse till it would rarely fire at all. Sent it to Oceanside camera and Harry overhauled the shutter.
Click to expand...

That is why I like the loud strong KA-THUNK of my cameras.
 

Sirius Glass

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Theo Sulphate

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Sirius Glass said:
And on the Graflex Model D?
Click to expand...

I have a Pacemaker Speed Graphic... so is the D the digital version with LCD on the back to view your photo? Yes, you'd certainly know if the shutter wasn't working.
 
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Sirius Glass

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Sirius Glass said:
That is why I like the loud strong KA-THUNK of my cameras.
Click to expand...

TheFlyingCamera said:
Your mirror KA-THUNK can mask the 'snick' of the shutter and you'd still not know if the shutter fired- only that the mirror went slap.
Click to expand...

Sirius Glass said:
And on the Graflex Model D?
Click to expand...

Theo Sulphate said:
I have a Pacemaker Speed Graphic... so is the D the digital version with LCD on the back to view your photo? Yes, you'd certainly know if the shutter wasn't working.
Click to expand...

No, like this

http://www.graflex.org/articles/series-d/index.html

But you knew that and you were just pulling my chain.
 

Sirius Glass

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Well my Nikon slrs do not go KA-THUNK but I wish they would.
 
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trondsi

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I just gave him the camera today. I was very reluctant to go for it when he found other things to adjust, but I thought it would be nice if he can make my old banged up Rollei working like new, so I went for it.
 

BrianShaw

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Trust me. If you are serious about photography with that camera you will soon forget the repair bill and thank yourself for having the good sense to get it totally overhauled. Trust me.
 
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trondsi

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Sounds good, Brian! It's going to be long wait (maybe ten weeks) but I'll use my Rollei Automat in the meantime.
 
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