Rolleicord focusing problem

Vaughn · Aug 18, 2017

I have owned a few 'cords and 'flexes, but this is a new one on me.

I bought a Rolleicord V recently. All seems fine until I try to focus. On the GG, infinity comes into focus at 5.5 feet by the scale by the focusing knob.

The focus knob seems to work properly. It stops right at infinity when you bring the lenses rigth in, and just inside of 3' when one cranks the front all the way out. That is normal.

I took it on a hike without knowing about the focusing problem. I decided to go with the distance marking by the focusing knob rather than by the image on the GG. I figured the chances are that something is amiss with the GG or the viewing lens.

Any ideas?

Ian Grant · Aug 18, 2017

I'd take the focus hood off, 4 screws I think (from memory) and check the screen is seated properly.

I have a few GG screens that I can use to check focus with 120 cameras, placed on the film plane. Distance means I can't check it for you but it's something I do quite regularly.

Ian

Vaughn · Aug 18, 2017

I have a couple other non-working 'cords that I can double check this one with...thanks for the idea.

Just compared the taking lens with another cord. Found what might be the problem -- servicing by someone who knows nothing about Rolleis -- or something like that. The viewing lens is sunk in a lot -- about 3/16 of inch too far in -- and the taking lens looks weirdly placed, too. Damn...I know who not to buy cameras from, anyway...I'm out a couple hundred bucks...so it goes.

Prest_400 · Aug 18, 2017

Interesting. Mine shows infinity at the 20-30ft mark. I tested a couple of rolls and close distances at f5.6 did focus alright (my steadiness with the lever release was worse), and going by the knob's distance, f8 at infinity checked alright. A couple rolls in it decided to jam at frame 7. If one does go through the film quickly, it works normal, but advancement gets stuck if it's wound for part of the roll. Must be old lubricant.
Brett Rogers (his nickname is different) posted some content about Rolleicord focusing problems. Seemingly, there is a wearable fiber part that given use ends up on misaligning the standard and needs replacement for it.
Mine was $130 or so. I put it up for sale locally and may break even or just get a couple bucks out of it, today there was someone interested about it. If I end up deciding to keep it, perhaps I'll get it serviced.

Vaughn · Aug 18, 2017

Mine seems to be off more than a fiber spacer amount -- it is off a good half-turn of the focus knob. The camera might be good for parts.

Sirius Glass · Aug 18, 2017

Vaughn said:
I have a couple other non-working 'cords that I can double check this one with...thanks for the idea.

Just compared the taking lens with another cord. Found what might be the problem -- servicing by someone who knows nothing about Rolleis -- or something like that. The viewing lens is sunk in a lot -- about 3/16 of inch too far in -- and the taking lens looks weirdly placed, too. Damn...I know who not to buy cameras from, anyway...I'm out a couple hundred bucks...so it goes.

If you cannot fix it adjusting the ground glass pads, send it to KEH and have them make any adjustments or corrections. You may have to wait a while, but then you would have saved a usable camera.

dpurdy · Aug 18, 2017

I've only owned Flexes but with those you can open the back door or take it off and use a focusing screen from another camera to tape over the film gate inside. Then lock the shutter open in B and check if the taking lens is in focus at infinity when the focus knob is set for infinity. I also seem to remember that the viewing lens on a Cord can be screwed in or out for adjustment.

Dan Daniel · Aug 19, 2017

Oh man, don't throw the camera out. Adjusting focus is a simple thing o the Rolleis. Unless someone smashed the lens plate it can be set up properly.

btaylor · Aug 19, 2017

My goodness, why not just pay a good Rollei repair guy to fix it? Save a little history and have a great camera too. I've had my Rolleicord for over 30 years, it takes my favorite pictures.

E. von Hoegh · Aug 19, 2017

btaylor said:
My goodness, why not just pay a good Rollei repair guy to fix it? Save a little history and have a great camera too. I've had my Rolleicord for over 30 years, it takes my favorite pictures.

+10.
Unfortunately, you never know what you'll get when the monkeys have been at it. It might be really simple, just reset the viewing lens, and it might be a real nightmare.

Vaughn · Aug 19, 2017

btaylor said:
My goodness, why not just pay a good Rollei repair guy to fix it? Save a little history and have a great camera too. I've had my Rolleicord for over 30 years, it takes my favorite pictures.

Because I several others in better shape that I can have fixed.

I'd more than happy to sell this camera for the $200 I have in it if someone else wants to get it fixed up. Heck, I'll take a loss and sell it for $150.

The GG seems to be fine and in its proper place -- and even if it was off a little, it would not account for the the amount the focus is off. There is something seriously wrong with the viewing lens placement, and I am not sure of the taking lens. I'll develop a roll from it to see where the focus actually falls.

Ian Grant · Aug 19, 2017

As long as the taking lens is actually able to focus at Infinity when the focus knob is set to infinity it's relatively easy to adjust the taking lens focus. I think there's a locking screw under the covering on the front plate then the viewing lens can be rotated to set focus. There's some instructions on-line somewhere, I have a Romney Camera Repair book somewhere that covers this as well.

It's more accurate to set focus at a close distance as focus is more critical, you need a GG screen placed in the film plane.

Ian

PS Just found this thread here Covers your camera.

Vaughn · Aug 19, 2017

A normal looking set of lenses on a 'cord, and the 'cord in question. The 'cord with problems has the 'recessed' lens set.

Ian Grant · Aug 19, 2017

Looks tampered with, hard to tell in the photo but it looks like the covering has been lifted, also some marks on the internal housing above the red coated symbol on the viewing lens. I think the lens is set too far back hence Infinity focus when the focus knob is set to 5.5 ft.

Ian

shutterfinger · Aug 19, 2017

Although I've never touched a Rollei anything I could have that one focusing correctly in a very short time. They are not that complicated, just precision machined with very good to excellent optics.
The Rolleiflex repair manual at http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/repairmanuals.html covers the Cord VA and VB. Be sure to follow the instructions at the top of the page for downloading.

I'm just down the coast from you.

Ian Grant · Aug 19, 2017

There were only two images in the post when I last replied, the third image clearly shows the covering has been removed, as above it should be a simple fix. The previous owner didn't know how to reset the focus.

Ian

Vaughn · Aug 21, 2017

Thank you! The taking lens is recessed much farther in than any of other Rollei I have seen, also. I am not going to dive into the camera at this point, and while it will not be on the top of the list of Rolleis to be repaired, I will take care of it.

Rolleicord focusing problem

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