Rollei SL66 repair...any recommendations?

[Mark H]

Just when I was starting to get the hang of using my newly acquired old Rollei SL66, the mirror jammed up. Apparently this is not an uncommon event for this camera. Has anyone had repair experience or recommendations? I've been putting this off for quite some time, mostly due to financial concerns.

 

[medform-norm]

Just when I was starting to get the hang of using my newly acquired old Rollei SL66, the mirror jammed up. Apparently this is not an uncommon event for this camera. Has anyone had repair experience or recommendations? I've been putting this off for quite some time, mostly due to financial concerns.

Did you check here: SL66 site

I've heard Dutch Rollei 66 owners being very satisfied with the German Rollei Repair service. Don't know about the other one, though. There is a Dutch repair service as well, but apparently despite being friendly, he's not that precise or talented as the German guy.

Good luck, norm

 

[Helen B]

Is mirror lock-up a common problem with the SL 66?

Mark,

Where in the world are you? If you want a repair person in the USA I can recommend Jurgen Kuschnik in Thousand Oaks, CA (tel 805 427 3929). I know of him because he is one of the few people that will repair the SL 66 SE. Harry Fleenor at Oceanside in Manhattan Beach, CA (tel 310-374-6506) has done great work on my Rolleiflex TLRs but won't touch the SE. I don't know if he works on the SL 66.

Best,
Helen

 

[argentic]

There is a Dutch repair service as well, but apparently despite being friendly, he's not that precise or talented as the German guy.

I can second that. I had a lot of trouble with the Dutch repair service. I had to send a SL66 rolfilmback to him three times. In the end, I had to pay € 200,-. But the back still had exactly the same problem, and an additional one on top.

The guy always remained friendly (I had some trouble to do the same) but I will NEVER have my SL66 repaired by him again! By the way, he sticks the leather back on the gear with ordinary DIY glue, and doesn't even try to do it neatly.

 

[rmann]

Were you using the mirror lock up button? I have had some success unjamming by slowing moving the shutter cocking/film advance gently forward and backwards a few times.

 

[Mark H]

Thanks for the responses. I did forget to mention I live in the U.S....upstate New York. So I'll likely stick to recommendations in the U.S. --Mark

 

[Maine-iac]

Thanks for the responses. I did forget to mention I live in the U.S....upstate New York. So I'll likely stick to recommendations in the U.S. --Mark

Mark,

In addition to Helen B's recommendation of Harry Fleenor in California, I've had very good work done by Jimmy Koh (Koh Camera on Long Island). Jimmy has a long reputation of repairing all things Rollei, and although he doesn't get many requests for SL66 repairs anymore, he recently repaired a broken shutter gear on mine and a general tune-up for $150.

Larry

P.S. Between us SL66 users, I think you'll find that it's still the best 21/4 design ever made. I'll use mine until they stop making film for it or it lays down and dies, whichever comes first. A little bulkier than a Hasselblad, but beats the Hassy all hollow for ease and features.