Oops! I dropped my Rolleiflex!!

JoeA · Dec 25, 2013

Yes, I had one of those moments, trying to hand off two bodies at once by the straps and obviously only had ahold of one.

So, the good news, it looks as though everything is in good order, short of an actual test.
but...
The bad news is it dropped right on the back locking clip, snapped it right in two.
Now it won't lock, the back won't stay closed so no use trying to put film in it.

Which brings me to my question, has this ever happened to anyone else?
If so, were you able to repair it, short of sending it off to someone who really knows how to do this (Hello Mr. Fleenor)??
The only thing that comes to mind is super glue but I wonder if that would hold up under the pressure put on this clip.

Any help would be appreciated.

Joe

patrickth · Dec 25, 2013

Its a long shot. but let me know which model. It is possible I have one to fit. I doubt very seriously any glue would hold up.

aoresteen · Dec 25, 2013

I'd send it to Harry. He will check the flange distance and make sure it's up to snuff. You cound have internal damage that is hidden.

Whiteymorange · Dec 26, 2013

Dropped mine on a marble floor one time and it seemed fine. It was only after a day of shooting in strong sunlight that I found the back had been bent slightly at the corner, letting in light when held "just so."

Send it out. A Rollei that doesn't work is a constant rebuke, sitting there on the shelf waiting to be used. The clip should be replaceable from a junker, and I'm not sure the design of that part changed all that much through the years.

Xmas · Dec 26, 2013

use an elastic band or two good to confirm the back is ok for a trial film.

mikebarger · Dec 26, 2013

Got mine back from Harry recently, great work!

JoeA · Dec 26, 2013

Seriel number is 1258155, I think that makes it an Automat K4A.
It looks as though removing and replacing it would be similar to methodology used in adjusting a wrist watch band. Gently push out the pins remove links re-insert pins.
I like the "elastic band test" idea. Do this definitely before I would tinker with it.

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 26, 2013

I'd also do a couple of focus tests to make sure everything is in proper alignment - do a couple shots on a test roll with focus at infinity, ideally of a flat plane subject like a wall. Shoot these wide open or nearly so - the narrow depth of field will show up any problems with focus faster. Repeat with the camera focused at minimum focus distance. Ideally for both subjects they will be relatively flat, but with texture so focus shifting/mis-alignment will be obvious. do your best to be square, level and parallel to the subject. Develop the film and see if the negatives compare to your expectations. If there is a problem, send the film along with the notes you took about which frames were which to the technician servicing the camera.

pgomena · Dec 27, 2013

A friend once remarked when I dropped a Hasselblad back on some seaside rocks and watched it slide a few feet toward the water, "You'll always remember just when, where and how those marks on the back were made."

I hope your Rollei was not seriously damaged. It's one of those "Oh S---" moments. I've dropped mine only once, years ago, and it gained a couple of dings but no real damage. Definitely test it for some kind of misalignment.

elekm · Dec 27, 2013

If it's the locking mechanism, then you would replace the entire back, especially if it snapped in two.

I would send it out for service, especially if you aren't the mechanical type. Some people are. Some people aren't. That's OK.

I think you'll probably be more careful in the future. It's always a sad moment when you drop a camera. I've only dropped one camera in 35 years (luckily), and I've handled hundreds of cameras. The fall put a small ding into the top deck of my Pentax MX.

JoeA · Dec 27, 2013

Well, it's the weekend, I've got some TMAX now to find a flat surface in the North Florida jungle that I live in.

Memory cells being at a premium at 60 years I won't say I've Never dropped a body before, but this is the first one I can recall something actually breaking.

Oh well, you live and learn.

gone · Dec 29, 2013

There isn't a ton of pressure on that back, unlike SLR backs. For repairs like this I use a marine epoxy called Devcon. The stuff you buy in boat shops is better, but the regular stuff will work fine for your purposes. When I was turning wrenches for Toyota I used this to repair carburetor (remember those?) air barrels that sometimes vibrated loose, and our transmission guy used it to repair cracked tranny cases. If you apply it correctly and let it sit for 24 hours it will not let go, I guarantee.

Years ago I altered an Agfa Isola, a wonderfully cheap and fun 6x6 camera, to use better lens/shutter combinations, and used this to epoxy a shutter retaining nut to the lens barrel so I could quickly unscrew the lens/shutter assy and swap it for different ones. Later I tried to get the nut off to put the camera back like it was originally. After repeated attempts to saw the thing off w/ a hacksaw blade I finally gave it up. It is there forever. Tough stuff!

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/dev/dev220.htm

Sirius Glass · Dec 29, 2013

JoeA said:
[h=2]Oops! I dropped my Rolleiflex!![/h]

Damn! I hate when that happens.

JoeA · Dec 29, 2013

I ran a roll of TMAX thru it today with the elastic band (rubber band) door locking method.
It'll be a week or two to send it off and get it back, if all looks well, no light leaks, focus is good, etc.... $5.00 for the Devcon is down right cheap..

Oops! I dropped my Rolleiflex!!

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