Rolleicord 1a model 3 viewing lens

Hi, I've just received a Rolleicord 1a model 3, it's in great condition, smooth focussing and only a little slow on the slow shutter speeds.
Only issue I can find is that the viewing lens has a few bits of fungus towards the rear element.
Is there anyway to remove the lens from the front - it does unscrew a little then stops - or do I have to peel back the leather an take off the whole lens assembly?

Tia gordon

Gordon, that’s a cool camera. I restored an original Art Deco Rolleicord, a few years older than yours. They are still great users 90 years later.

FWIW, it’s probably not worth the effort to worry about small bits of fungus on the viewing lens. Obviously, it will not affect the negatives. If the viewfinder is dim, that is much more likely to be caused by surface loss on the mirror behind the viewing lens that reflects light up to the screen. Most of these early Rolleicords have problems with desilvering of that mirror. Replacements are inexpensive and easily sourced. See, e.g.,


A mirror replacement will make the camera much more useable. Modern viewscreens are also much brighter than the originals, but some users prefer the original ground glass finders.

Good luck with your new camera!

I haven't worked on this specific Rolleicord, but I'll just note that by unscrewing the viewing lens, you have changed its focus point. The taking and viewing lenses might not match anymore.

Generally you have to pull the front leatherette, which gives access to the screws holding the front plate. Behind the front plate there should be a set screw holding the viewing lens.

Thanks for that, I'll take a look and assess the mirror, the paired focussing should be fine, I marked the position of the viewing lens before doing anything and it's back into its original state.
Looking forward to shooting this, the taking lens looks fairly clear and there's no fungus transference from the viewing lens.
It is a lovely wee camera, I'm going to run a test film through it first and check all is okay

bw gordon

gordonrgw said:

It is a lovely wee camera

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I still have my Art Deco Rolleicord. I replaced the mirror and installed a Maxwell screen — it’s every bit as good as more modern Cords. Mirror selfie below.

The art deco ones are really beautiful, I'll be on the lookout for one once I get a few rolls through the 1a..

So far I really like the simple workflow and easy operation..

gordonrgw said:

The art deco ones are really beautiful, I'll be on the lookout for one once I get a few rolls through the 1a..

So far I really like the simple workflow and easy operation..

Click to expand...

The Art Deco is pretty, but I hesitate to work it hard. These days I have two TLR’s that get hard use, both from the late 1940s: an early Automat with a Tessar, and a Rolleicord IIc with a Triotar. I prefer both because they are light and simple. The IIc might suit you well — it has the simplicity that appeals to you, with a sturdier build. And it’s not so rare that you will hate yourself if you lose or maim it.

The uncoated Triotar taking lens on the early Rolleicords is lovely — it has a hint of softness in the corners that I find pleasing. If I care about image quality across the frame, I am more likely to shoot a Rollei with a more modern lens. But for shooting people, the Triotar rocks.

EDIT:

I should add that any softness in the Triotar (like most lenses) disappears with smaller apertures. Here’s a gravure of a diptych I shot with the Rolleicord II using a Rollei Panorama Head, Triotar @ f/11 — no softness anywhere:

See how you like it and then maybe send it for a CLA and the repair person could take a look at the viewing lens.

Like Sanders (Rolleiflexible) I like how light these pre-war Rolleis are, and the Triotar is a beautiful lens.

The Rolleicord Ia takes 28,5 mm push-on filters and shade. The Rolleiflex branded push-on filters from the period are perhaps not the best, since they are uncoated and meant to fit inside a special clamp-on sun shade like this: