Rollei 35 Long Film Advance Help

[Archerg]

Hi there! This is my first post, so please feel free to move it if I'm in the wrong place.

So I recently received this beautiful Rollei 35, the original German model, but there seems to be a big issue with the film advance. I'm able to fully pull on the advance all the way without it cocking, then I attempt to pull it again and it cocks after a shorter than normal distance. Almost as if it takes much longer to advance the film, and the lever hangs flimsily on the back of the camera about a couple mm, not firmly spring loaded against the camera. I'm able to still fire the shutter and everything still works, but I'd rather not exacerbate the problem if it hurts the camera.

I'd like to fix it myself to avoid a repair shop and it's prices, but I don't want to break anything, though I am skilled in old tech. Any advice on what to do? Any help would be extremely appreciated. Thanks,

Gavin

 

[Donald Qualls]

You might get better help in the Camera Building & Repairs section. If you report your own post , a mod can move this thread there.

That said, I've had the top cover off my Rollei 35 a few times (if you drop the camera, the meter linkage can disengage, and if you try to carry the camera in a dress shirt pocket...). I suspect these two problems are one; the lever return spring isn't tight, so the lever is skipping one ratchet tooth when it returns. Been forty-plus years since I've had mine apart, though, so that's about all I can offer.

 

[Mamiya_Repair]

My experience with winding issues on the Rollei 35 cameras has been a damaged second wind gear. It's made from a plastic material and is prone to getting broken teeth or cracking.

 

[Huss]

My experience with winding issues on the Rollei 35 cameras has been a damaged second wind gear. It's made from a plastic material and is prone to getting broken teeth or cracking.

Sounds similar to the VoigtlanderBessa/ZeissIkon ZM cameras I’ve had experience with.