Rollei 35 slow shutter speeds

soboyle · Oct 23, 2019

I have a Rollei 35 SE that I bought new in the mid-1980's when either Olden or Willoughby's camera store was closing in NYC. $125. It's been a great camera, traveled everywhere with me. I just pulled it out to run a roll through it for the first time in many years and see that the slow shutter speeds are extra slow. Seems to be from 1/15 or 1/8 second down. I don't have time to send it out for a CLA before a big trip in November, but wondered if the faster shutter speeds are typically affected when this happens. They sound like they are accurate. I'll be shooting in very bright conditions for the most part, snow and ice, so the slow speeds shouldn't come into play often.
Any recommendations for who does do CLA on these?
Any source for the V27PX 5.6V batteries? 6V OK with the meter?
Anyone have any 30.5 mm yellow or orange contrast filters for B&W film for this camera they are looking to part with?

bernard_L · Oct 23, 2019

soboyle said:
the slow shutter speeds are extra slow. Seems to be from 1/15 or 1/8 second down. I don't have time to send it out for a CLA

I'll probably suffer heavy flak for that, but... Some 10 years ago I bought at a garage sale a Rollei 35 (Tessar) for 7€, shutter not working. A piece of Kleenex to protect the rear element, a quish of WD-40 to the left and right inside, and voilà, just in time for my daughter's birthday, who has been using it ever since.

soboyle said:
A good source for the batteries?

My solution for battery. Original PX625 (mercury) not available. Dimensions 15.2x6mm. Replacement SR44 (Silver). Dimensions 11.6x5.4mm. Find O-ring with ID 12mm, OD 15mm, install in battery compartment to keep the smaller SR44 centered. And yes, the calibration is affected. I adjusted some potentiometers below the top cover; alternatively you can establish that the higher battery voltage (1.55 versus 1.35V) causes an under-exposure of... 1EV?? or?? and adjust the ISO/ASA setting accordingly. Or, use a hand-held meter. Or, teach yourself to use Sunny 16.

soboyle · Oct 23, 2019

Ha! I'll go with my light meter I think! The SE takes a V27PX mercury battery 5.6V.

bernard_L · Oct 23, 2019

soboyle said:
Ha! I'll go with my light meter I think! The SE takes a V27PX mercury battery 5.6V.

Ha! Then it's simpler ! Minox 35 takes originally same V27PX. I know from personal experience (experiments, not internet rumors) that for the metering of the Minox 35 the battery voltage is not critical, and I'm guessing/betting that the reason behind 5.6V versus 1.35 is, for the Rollei 35SE like for the Minox 35, to power a proper electronic circuit (as opposed to a plain series connection, of LDR, battery, resitor, galvanometer), with an operational amplifier and what not, and that the Rollei 35SE is equally tolerant.

Bottom line. Take a piece of paper, roll it into a cylinder to line the inside of the battery compartment, for electrical insulation. Drop/insert four SR44 bateries, checking that they are properly oriented. Close. Shoot.

Warning: There is a battery type called PX28/4SR44/4LR44. Don't be fooled by the name. It is longer (25.2mm) than the four discrete SR44 (4x5.4=21.6mm) that I recommend.

soboyle · Oct 23, 2019

Thanks, this could work, but the SE has a battery holder in which the original battery ends protruded slightly to make contact in the camera. I'm not sure the SR44's will protrude enough. Could work, I'll measure my old battery I had in the camera.

EarlJam · Oct 23, 2019

I've had that issue with my 35 SE three times now. The slow speeds, 1/15 to B, are managed by a separate escapement, and it tends to get gummed up if the camera isn't used regularly. Speeds of 1/30 and above are unaffected. I had the camera CLA'd by Harry Fleenor (https://www.rolleirepairs.com/) the first two times, roughly 10 and 25 years into ownership (I bought the camera new in 1983). The "problem" with Harry's CLA is that you basically buy the camera again, each time you have it serviced. For the most recent escapement cleaning, last month, I took the camera to my local camera shop, who was able to clean the escapement alone for $25. I shot a test roll, post-cleaning, and the slow speeds at least sound accurate. Will know better once I get the film processed.

soboyle · Oct 23, 2019

There is a video on YouTube about lubing the escapement on the Rollei 35. It doesn't look hard with the right tools and lubricants. Repair for $25 is the way to go if you have a local camera store that can still repair cameras.

EarlJam said:
I've had that issue with my 35 SE three times now. The slow speeds, 1/15 to B, are managed by a separate escapement, and it tends to get gummed up if the camera isn't used regularly. Speeds of 1/30 and above are unaffected. I had the camera CLA'd by Harry Fleenor (https://www.rolleirepairs.com/) the first two times, roughly 10 and 25 years into ownership (I bought the camera new in 1983). The "problem" with Harry's CLA is that you basically buy the camera again, each time you have it serviced. For the most recent escapement cleaning, last month, I took the camera to my local camera shop, who was able to clean the escapement alone for $25. I shot a test roll, post-cleaning, and the slow speeds at least sound accurate. Will know better once I get the film processed.

AndyH · Oct 23, 2019

I've had this problem as well. It's fairly easy to access the escapement from the rear, and not difficult to clean with peroxide followed by naphtha and a drop of watchmaker's oil. I have a repair manual that I purchased on eBay, which shows the disassembly process if you need to dive deeper. I've timed my higher shutter speeds and they are not affected. Who shoots this one below 1/30 anyway? That's why they gum up so easily - lack of use.

Andy

soboyle · Oct 24, 2019

I measured the V27PX I have, it's 20mm long (20.04 actually).
I see that there are Exell S27PX 6V silver oxide batteries out there as an alternative. Cost is about $13. each, expensive, but probably not much more than piecing together button batteries.

bernard_L said:
Ha! Then it's simpler ! Minox 35 takes originally same V27PX. I know from personal experience (experiments, not internet rumors) that for the metering of the Minox 35 the battery voltage is not critical, and I'm guessing/betting that the reason behind 5.6V versus 1.35 is, for the Rollei 35SE like for the Minox 35, to power a proper electronic circuit (as opposed to a plain series connection, of LDR, battery, resitor, galvanometer), with an operational amplifier and what not, and that the Rollei 35SE is equally tolerant.

Bottom line. Take a piece of paper, roll it into a cylinder to line the inside of the battery compartment, for electrical insulation. Drop/insert four SR44 bateries, checking that they are properly oriented. Close. Shoot.

Warning: There is a battery type called PX28/4SR44/4LR44. Don't be fooled by the name. It is longer (25.2mm) than the four discrete SR44 (4x5.4=21.6mm) that I recommend.

ic-racer · Oct 24, 2019

The escapement is #48 in the diagram. The cause of slow shutter speeds, likely resides in that component.

Rollei 35 slow shutter speeds

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