Rollei 35 Light Leak?

c41 · Mar 4, 2018

mnemosyne said:
Does the lens lock firmly into position or do you feel some wiggle when it is locked? There should be none. There is definitely excessive wear on the sliding rail of your camera, maybe the result of someone applying undue force when trying to push the lens into the body with the shutter uncocked ... most probably cannot be repaired in a classic fashion, as the rail appears to be an integral part of the body.

As a makeshift solution, AgX's suggestion could work, there is tiny bit of room left with the lens fully seated in the body, but as the parts involved are moving and you have to rotate the barrel to lock it in the extended position there is some risk that anything you attach there could loosen sooner or later and become entangled in the sliding mechanism or the shutter actuating mechanism on the left and lock things up.

You could also try if it is possible to block the light leak from the outside, with the help of a simple rubber ring around the lens barrel where it enters the body. Best solution would be to look for a replacement body in good shape.

Thanks. The lens locks firmly into extended position, no ‘wiggle’ at all.

The leak appears (looking through the camera from behind) in the 4 o clock position, where the mechanism to twist and lock is, so not a good place to address from the inside.

I’ll try a hair band or something similar on the outside of the barrel. There is significant play in the plastic DOF collar on the lens itself, though I can’t see that would have any effect.

I’d be very loathe to part with A$300+ for another with the meter on top, purely b/c there seems little guarantee i wouldn’t be trading one problem for another.

summicron1 · Mar 4, 2018

I’m looking into my 3.5 LED model right now — yea, at the 4 positi on is the little latch, if the light is leaking there then there’s something worn/missing around the lens barrel — if it is a camera you really want to use/like you could send it to Fleenor — his standard service is about $150 with a three month wait, but well worth it.

Or it a rubber collar around the lens barrel and shove it up against the body of the camera — makes collapsing the lens more difficult, but would probably fix the issue.

c41 · Mar 4, 2018

I started experimenting with some kind of collar on the barrel but it's always going to slide around when I collapse/extend the lens. I'd rather have a light leak was my quick conclusion on that solution!
So I'll see if I can find someone to fix it, if not then I'll investigate getting another one.

It's just the perfect everyday camera for me. The top-down meter, the tiny size, filter threads. Wow, I wish they still made cameras like this.

The good news story is that I did re-subscribe. Happy to help support this great community. Cheers.

AgX · Mar 4, 2018

c41 said:
I started experimenting with some kind of collar on the barrel but it's always going to slide around when I collapse/extend the lens.

That is exactly why I made my prosal at post #24.

c41 · Mar 4, 2018

AgX said:
cutting a piece of rubber sheet by means of circular cutter,

Thanks AgX. The idea sounds good but the execution is likely to be beyond my 'in-house' capability.
It'd have to be light-tight around the barrel without pulling rubber in or pushing it out when the lens moves.
If I tried this myself, I don't see success. The camera is immaculate on the outside too annoyingly.

AgX · Mar 5, 2018

Don't ask me how often I acquired an immaculate camera that nevertheless turned out to have a hidden fault... However from the start I only pay as if it was broken. And yours was given to you. So, never mind and wait for your next chance.

AgX · Mar 5, 2018

But you still might try using it with somehow covering the lens barrel underside with your left hand.

c41 · Mar 20, 2018

I've had no luck fixing my Rollei 35 unfortunately. Can anyone recommend a reasonable repair option I can pursue? I'm located in Australia but having it looked at by someone in the US/Asia is definitely in scope for me.
Or is the consensus these aren't worth fixing? They seem to be around $150-200 and upwards on eBay.

I have the light leak on the underside of the barrel and the collapsed lens extends on its own if the camera is held face down.
The barrel has a fair wobble too before it is locked into place, then it's solid.

Other than these issues, it's fine. The meter is good. The light leak is small (but irritates me).

summicron1 · Mar 20, 2018

c41 said:
I've had no luck fixing my Rollei 35 unfortunately. Can anyone recommend a reasonable repair option I can pursue? I'm located in Australia but having it looked at by someone in the US/Asia is definitely in scope for me.
Or is the consensus these aren't worth fixing? They seem to be around $150-200 and upwards on eBay.

I have the light leak on the underside of the barrel and the collapsed lens extends on its own if the camera is held face down.
The barrel has a fair wobble too before it is locked into place, then it's solid.

Other than these issues, it's fine. The meter is good. The light leak is small (but irritates me).

they are definitely worth fixing because they are marvelous cameras to use, and wonderfully built -- the current resale price of used equipment is irrelevant. You buy the tool, then you have it services ($152 to have it done by Harry Fleenor) and then you have a tool that will serve you well for years.

The idea that "it costs more than it is worth to fix it) is stupid. You are not a camera dealer, you are a camera user. Think of it this way -- a used one costs about $200 or so -- but a new one, in today's money, was easily triple that, maybe closer to a thousand dollars. For 1/3 that you can have one like-new.

c41 · Mar 20, 2018

Thanks, perhaps not the quite the right choice of words on my part. I should have said something more like, or is the consensus this one might not be worth the time, trouble and expense of pursuing as a repair?

I agree they are smashing little cameras. I wouldn't be here otherwise and let's be honest, none of this is a very good value proposition. This is an antiquated little collapsible camera that was never built to last 40-50 years and more.
I'd be happy if I can save this particular one and see it through many more years. It's very much my intent to use one, I've missed two shots today already by not having it to hand.

But I am worried about whether issues with the barrel on the Rollei 35 are adequately repairable. ??? About whether I really can have one "like-new".
There's no value to me in being sentimental about what is just a tool. If I pay the same to get a better condition one, that would be the smarter move.
This one could live on as someone else's 'project', or as parts, or as-is as a user (but I'm fed up with the flare personally) or I can get it fixed.

I didn't know Harry Fleenor serviced these. I can try contacting him to ask. West coast of US is close enough.

mjork · Mar 21, 2018

I had my Rollei 35S serviced by Harry Fleenor early last year. The camera had multiple problems (loose lens barrel, light meter linkage to aperture ring broken, lock mechanism for camera housing broken) and it came back with everything fixed and has been working reliably since then.

Hatchetman · Mar 21, 2018

mjork said:
I had my Rollei 35S serviced by Harry Fleenor early last year. The camera had multiple problems (loose lens barrel, light meter linkage to aperture ring broken, lock mechanism for camera housing broken) and it came back with everything fixed and has been working reliably since then.

What did it cost you?

mjork · Mar 21, 2018

Hatchetman said:
What did it cost you?

$129 for repair/CLA plus $24 for return shipping

c41 · Mar 21, 2018

Thanks all and thanks mjork, that's exactly what I needed to hear. I've contacted Harry and will send it in for quote/repair. The quote above is as per the one Harry gave me, plus an additional $59 for film test/light leak repair.
I'll try to remember to update on the outcome in 5 months time.

ozphoto · Mar 22, 2018

c41 said:
I've had no luck fixing my Rollei 35 unfortunately. Can anyone recommend a reasonable repair option I can pursue? I'm located in Australia but having it looked at by someone in the US/Asia is definitely in scope for me.
Or is the consensus these aren't worth fixing? They seem to be around $150-200 and upwards on eBay.

I have the light leak on the underside of the barrel and the collapsed lens extends on its own if the camera is held face down.
The barrel has a fair wobble too before it is locked into place, then it's solid.

Other than these issues, it's fine. The meter is good. The light leak is small (but irritates me).

I had my (deemed unrepairable) LED repaired at Sydney Camera Repairs - excellent service and they were happy to ship to me at cost. Cost me $90 plus postage from ADL.

Pocketable · Dec 20, 2019

c41 said:
It's not in every frame but it is in every roll.

Hello, Question specifically for C41 -
I have the exact same issue with my Rollei 35 and it is very frustrating.
Did your CLA fix the problem? Were you able to learn what exactly caused it?
I have the Singapore version with the Tessar lens -

guangong · Dec 21, 2019

I bought my Rollei 35 on impulse the first day camera was on sale in NYC. The camera caused quite a commotion with costumers in store. Bought lens shade and several filters at the same time. Later acquired Rollei 35 to 39mm filter adapter, so as to use Leica filters.
P A tough camera. Only repairs needed have been banging out dents at corners from hard use. Along the way I have collected several Rollei 35 wrist straps. These are absolutely crucial for holding this small camera steady. Along with guesstimating focus with a 3.5 lens, slow shutter speeds are frequently necessary, often at 1/4 sec. (I never considered the faster Sonnar lens, with much shallower depth of field wide open, as anything other than an advertising ploy). So the wrist strap should be considered an integral part of the camera for best results. A Rollei 35 case must also be considered to protect camera.
The key to keeping a rollei 35 healthy is to never use force!

chinjon · Nov 14, 2024

Hello!

I've stumble upon this thread recently, where I've also seem to have a very similar light leak pattern as described by @c41

I've shot my first roll with a Rollei 35 I picked up from an estate sale

Seems consistent in terms of WHERE the pattern happens, but it doesn't happen with every frame, also when it does appear, some more obvious than other.

I live in the NYC-area so Nippon Photo Clinic is an option I think, but not sure if they would repair. Some people have mentioned the silver from the worn down rails might be an issue - would a simple fix to be blacken it?? It'd be a shame if repair isn't an option - these cameras are so lovely...

c41 said:
I hope your Rollei 35 is still going strong, Ben, over 10 years later

Mine is a f/3.5 Schneider Xenar, made in Singapore, meter on the top, I like it very much.
But I too have a light leak in mine. It's not in every frame but it is in every roll. Always roughly the same position (top of frame) and always giving a disappointing veiling glare to the image.
It's the gap where there is no problem at the top of the frame, always with a clear horizontal definition, that makes me think perhaps it's mechanical - light leak in the barrel or back or something?

Here's a good example of it, my daughter (the problem circled in red.)
View attachment 196210

Another example in colour, the same line at the top of frame visible..
View attachment 196211

Can anyone tell me what is causing it as this camera is just the best in all other regards.
Thanks.

dpurdy · Nov 14, 2024

If you have a black plastic bag, you could cut a hole in it just large enough for the lens to stick out and then reach in and snap off a few frames at infinite or whatever and get some sky in. That would at least tell you whether the leak is an internal reflection or light coming in from the outside somehow.

chinjon · Nov 14, 2024

dpurdy said:
If you have a black plastic bag, you could cut a hole in it just large enough for the lens to stick out and then reach in and snap off a few frames at infinite or whatever and get some sky in. That would at least tell you whether the leak is an internal reflection or light coming in from the outside somehow.

thanks for the suggestion, I'll try that out!

Sanug · Nov 14, 2024

I had the same issue. It was fixed by the shop. They replaced the rail. I don't know weather it is possible to paint it without causing new issues.

chinjon · Nov 14, 2024

@Sanug thanks for responding, glad you were able to get that replaced.

I'm guessing its a Rollei 35-specialized part and not a generic/common, guess I should also be on the look out for spare rails on ebay as well. I don't think there are any repair shop in the US that specializes in Rollei 35 cameras - at last I checked...

Sanug said:
I had the same issue. It was fixed by the shop. They replaced the rail. I don't know weather it is possible to paint it without causing new issues.

View attachment 383486

Rollei 35 Light Leak?

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