Ricohflex VIIs

brofkand · Aug 11, 2008

I just got this camera in today. It appears to be an excellent camera, built much more solidly than my Voigtlander Brillant.

However, it appears to have a problem. The "pin" that grips the slots in a 120 film reel is broken off. There is a circular pin with a notch taken out, apparently where the broken piece fits. Does anyone have any ideas for repair, or should I just send it back?

brofkand · Aug 11, 2008

Nobody has any ideas?

I am thinking of just putting some kind of metal in the spool itself, and simply using the same takeup spool each time I reload (or modify a few ahead of time).

The question is, what could I put in the spool that would be rigid enough?

srs5694 · Aug 12, 2008

Could you post a photo? I'm having a hard time visualizing the design from your description. That's not how I'd describe the design of the relevant parts of my Lubitel and Kiev MF cameras, but I don't know if that's because I'm misinterpreting your description or because the designs are radically different. In the interest of providing my own "2,000 words," here are two photos of the setup on my Kiev 6C:

http://www.rodsbooks.com/kiev-pin1.jpg
http://www.rodsbooks.com/kiev-pin2.jpg

If yours is similar, one idea might be to find a suitable bit of metal and epoxy it into place where the piece has broken off. That would be risky, though (get it wrong and you might never get it out). Another option: A camera repair shop might be able to find a replacement part.

brofkand · Aug 12, 2008

Here is the problem. It actually appears to be a simpler design than yours, srs.

srs5694 · Aug 12, 2008

I'm trying to picture how this works. Is there supposed to be a bar that fits between the two half-circle pieces and that then engages with the slots in the 120 spool? If so, I'd try to find a suitably-sized piece of metal or hard plastic and wedge it into either the camera or a take-up spool. If this works, you could super-glue it in place, just to keep from losing it between rolls.

brofkand · Aug 12, 2008

Yes, that's how it works. You can see the breaking point between the two half-circles.

ic-racer · Aug 12, 2008

I just checked my Rolleicord and the two little wings that broke off are part of the lower assembly. The pin originally has no slot in it.

So, it looks like someone before you already tried to fix it by grinding the slot and putting a little piece of metal in there (which has subsequently fallen out).

If you can't get a piece of metal to stay in there, I'd see if one of the various Rollei repair shops has the correct replacement part. I think these cameras are worth fixing (if the rest of the camera is in good shape).

Another possibility is that the replacement knob for the Rolliekin may have a new take up assembly (but I don't know for sure).

http://www.foto.no/rolleiflex/Rollei-8-2.html

brofkand · Aug 12, 2008

The rest of the camera is in immaculate shape! It looks like it was never used. Has Rollei taken over Ricohflex repairs?

Uncle Goose · Aug 13, 2008

This looks like a fairly easy thing to repair, you only need a piece of metal and I'm sure you can superglue it in there.

brofkand · Aug 15, 2008

Sure enough. I just don't know where I could get a suitable piece of metal.

CJBo001 · Aug 15, 2008

Try a nail of about the right diameter. Cut it to desired length with a hacksaw. The steel is quite soft so you can easily file the sides flat to fit in the existing slot.

srs5694 · Aug 15, 2008

brofkand said:
Sure enough. I just don't know where I could get a suitable piece of metal.

Take the camera, and an empty 120 film spool, to any well-stocked hardware store. I'm sure the salesperson will be able to help you find something suitable if he or she can see the mechanics of it.

ic-racer · Aug 16, 2008

brofkand said:
Sure enough. I just don't know where I could get a suitable piece of metal.

K & S brass is sold at many Hobby stores and some Hardware stores in the US. http://www.oakridgehobbies.com/g_scale/g_90.html

Ricohflex VIIs

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