Rollei servicing in the UK

[Andy K]

I've just bought a Rolleicord Vb in very nice condition, apart from one thing. The 1sec shutter speed sticks. Being a bit of a perfectionist I plan on getting the camera serviced.
Has anyone used Liverpool based Newton Ellis & Co to get their Rollei serviced?

 

[wclark5179]

Sorry, I don't know the place to send your Rolleicord....

I did take a peek at your photographs on Flickr and I like your work.

The image of "East Bench in Snow," "The Day Begins," "Red Arrows," I see a little humor with "The Optimist," the black & whites and street photography, I wish I could go to your wonderful England again. My wife & I traveled your country for our 25th anniversary, maybe again in 2012 for our 35th!

Keep up the good work!

 

[Ian Grant]

Andy, Black on White in Bristol serviced both my Rolleiflex and Yashicamat 124 two years ago, they are reasonable, quite fast and offer an excellent eservice.

You may just need a CLA on the shutter rather than a full service.

Ian

 

[benjiboy]

I used to handle the repairs for a group of ten camera shops Andy before I retired, and can recommend these three from personal experience http://www.hlehmann.co.uk/ and http://www.kompass.com/en/GB61058548 and http://www.sendeancameras.co.uk/. these are all long established repair firms, not cowboys, who do a good job, two of them are in London that could be in travelling distance from where you live.

 

[Steve Smith]

I have not used Newton and Ellis but I have only heard good things about them.

Another one who was recommended to me for shutter repair is John Quantick from Black on White Cameras: http://www.bonwcameras.co.uk/

EDIT: I see Ian suggested him too!

2nd EDIT: This reminds me that I need to get my father's Rolleiflex looked at as it has a sticky shutter.


Steve.

 

[Andy K]

First, Bill thank you for your compliments!

Next, I have decided to go with Newton Ellis & Co. as one of their specialisations is Compur shutters. I called them and the person I spoke to was very knowledgeable of the camera.

Thank you to all who made suggestions. All have been bookmarked for future reference!

 

[keeds]

Used Newton Ellis for a RolleicordVb and a Rolleiflex 3.5f. Superb work both times. Highly recommended.

 

[Andy K]

Ps. Here's the camera.

 

[Allan Swindles]

I'd recommend Newton Ellis. They did a superb job on my 3.5F last year, including removing a bad dent on the base of the camera back.

 

[benjiboy]

You're Rolleiocord Vb looks to be in wonderful condition Andy and worth spending the cost of a service on, I had one in the same condition in the early 1970s, and took some of the best pictures of my life with it and have always regretted parting with it, I hope you have a lot of pleasure using it.

 

[Andy K]

Thanks Ben.

I have a question about the Rollei. I've just discovered my lightmeter is not reading correctly. So I am going to have to guesstimate exposure when using the Rollei. I could use sunny sixteen, but I have noticed the EV table on the rear of the camera also takes account of time of day. How accurate is Rollei's EV guide?

 

[Steve Smith]

I expect it's a bit more accurate than sunny sixteen as it accounts for time as well. I can't remember what mine says but do the figures for mid day correspond to sunny sixteen figures?

Somewhere at home I have a rotary dial light guide from the 1950's (I think). You dial in film speed, time of day, month, weather, type of scene and filter factor and it gives you exposure options. It has proved to be surprisingly accurate.


Steve.

 

[Andy K]

A question about filters. What size do I need for the Vb? I know it is a bayonet 1 fitting for a lens hood, does this apply to filters too? I have seen Rollei filters on Ebay listed with sizes in mm, i.e. 28.5mm.

 

[Ian Grant]

Bay 1, early Rollei's were screw thread.

Ian

 

[Andy K]

Thanks Ian. I knew it was a Bayonet 1 fitting, and that there are other Bayonet fittings for Rolleis, but thought maybe mm was another way to refer to them. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Peter Black]

Thanks Ben.

I could use sunny sixteen, but I have noticed the EV table on the rear of the camera also takes account of time of day. How accurate is Rollei's EV guide?

Hmmm, sunny sixteen in Sunny Southend - they may have been made for each other.

On a more helpful note, you can also get a Bayonet 1 to 46mm adaptor so you're not restricted to older (unduly expensive?) filters, and you can even use square filter systems if you've already got one. If the square one sticks up into the viewing lens, it's also a good reminder that it's there.

 

[Steve Roberts]

I had a Rolleiflex T serviced a year or so ago. One of the faults I'd hoped would be rectified was that on the 1 sec setting the shutter sounded to be making heavy weather of it and as if it was only just making it. It didn't sound any different after the service and having played with a couple in shops that are similar, I get the impression that perhaps the 1 sec time is a bit of a weak point of these shutters (perhaps I should qualify that by adding "after all these years"). The amount I worry about it is out of all proportion to the number of occasions I might want to use 1 sec, but with a camera such as a Rollei it goes against the grain not to have everything A1.

Steve

 

[twoeyeandy]

I've just bought a Rolleiflex from evilbay and was thinking of getting Brian Micleboro to check it over (CLA I mean). Has anyone used him?
Ta Andy

 

[skinnyvoice]

I've just bought a Rolleiflex from evilbay and was thinking of getting Brian Micleboro to check it over (CLA I mean). Has anyone used him?
Ta Andy

I wholeheartedly recommend him, he has serviced three of mine. He's a very personable guy too.

 

[Andy K]

Update:

Sent off Rolleicord to Newton Ellis & Co. last week, received it back today serviced, shutter repaired etc. I was kept fully informed by phone. A superb service with a very quick turnaround.