Rolleiflex 2.8F focus adjustment

hiroh · May 28, 2022

I got my Rolleiflex back from the service. I shoot one roll and I can confirm that the focusing problem is fixed.

Then I loaded second roll, and now I have another problem with the focusing wheel that I had never before. This happened every time at the distance between 1.5-2m. Check this video (turn on audio):

Then, I unloaded the film and I couldn't replicate the above problem, but I still hear the sound that I didn't hear before camera was serviced. This time between 4-6m. Check another video (turn on audio):

The camera shop where it was serviced is closed until Monday, and I'm so annoyed about this, that I'd like to do something myself if it's a minor fix. Otherwise, I'll have to bring it back and wait another week

Does anyone know what this could be? Sounds like some sping got stuck, or some part is loose inside and got stuck when rotating the wheel. How is this related to to film mechanism?

Thanks all for the help!

hiroh · May 28, 2022

Now I loaded new roll and the focus is smooth between 1.5-2m so far.

I can still hear that "tick" between 4-6m, which indeed I didn't hear before servicing, but it doesn't bother me, it's very silent (I think it's a bit exaggerated on the video).

I'm still curious what and why that happened with the previous roll, and how to prevent it from happening again.

Nitroplait · May 28, 2022

The above videos are really something you should just share with your camera tech - they will likely take care of it and any comment here will just trigger your anxiety.

In the past 10 years, approximately 30% of my (12-15) repair jobs have needed to be returned. All were fixed with no-questions-asked because I use reputable techs.

I personally hate to complain, and wish they would take greater care in testing before returning, but reality is that they are busy and for some reason it does not seem to be a priority.

Assuming you used a reputable tech, and they admit their mistake. I would not worry, but would tell them that I expect the job to be sent to the front of their queue.
Many times I have experienced that I'd have to wait as long as I did in the first place - which is bad service IMO.
They made a mistake and should fix it before anything else. I don't know why I have to tell them, but that has almost always been the case.

hiroh · May 28, 2022

Nitroplait said:
but would tell them that I expect the job to be sent to the front of their queue.

Good tip, I'll ask them. Thanks!

I have no doubts they will fix it eventually, but being without the camera is frustrating. I have another cameras, but I feel like I'm most inspired shooting with Rolleiflex these days

Dan Daniel · May 28, 2022

Just wait. That's not a good sound, and the lens board is being jammed and not moving just before the click, meaning that something is jammed and then releasing

The only thing you might check is the parallax mechanism. Remove hood, flip the screen holder back, and see if anything is bent or catching in this mechanism as you move the focus. In fact, just to be certain, find the thin bar that emerges from the back of the lens board on the left side and moves the parallax screen back and forth. That sound reminds me of what can happen if it is not connected tothe lens board properly and the lens board is jammed up until the parallax lever bounces into a new position. (and if this IS the issue- doubtful- you are AGAIN going to need to wait because pulling the lens shroud off should not be done).

I would not go inside. It might be related to the moving aperture issue, but could be from the wind side, also. Both sides of an F, and the front side also, are complex. Take a deep breathe, accept the need to leave the camera sitting, make a list of what is happening, and get it to the repair shop.

hiroh · May 28, 2022

Dan, as for the first issue with focusing knob being jammed, I'm not able to replicate it again. I shoot entire second roll and I didn't have that problem. Is it possible that I jammed it somehow while loading the film? I mean I shot 30ish rolls with this camera and never had this problem. It may be a coincidence that it happened just after I got it serviced, and maybe it's not related to that? I don't know, it's strange. Even if I bring it to the service, the chances are everything will work fine.

As for the another issue, your advice helped me find what causes that sound. It seems that the plate, below the ground screen is bent by a hair somewhere and got stuck for a moment when rotating focusing knob. This must be done by the repair guy as I never heard it before, but at least I know what's happening. Here's the video.

I'm not sure if I should mess with this as this could put the screen out of focus.

hiroh · May 28, 2022

I couldn't help myself I pulled out the metal plate veeeery gently with the tip of the finger and now it runs smoothly. No clicking sound anymore.

Now, I'll shoot couple more rolls to make sure that everything is still in the focus and that the first problem doesn't happen again.

btaylor · May 28, 2022

Kodachromeguy said:
Is Easterwood still working? I could not get any email response and others have reported the same. Maybe he retired?

I just looked up the invoice from Easterwood- looks like it was back in 2018. I guess he must have retired.

Dan Daniel · May 28, 2022

The parallax mechanism is not working properly. It should move front/back 3/16 inch or more.

On the focus knob side, against the inner wall where the mirror is, there is a small round rod that projects to the back of the lens board. It will have a round nut on its end. Seems as if it was not reconnected after work was done on the lens board. It cannot be reconnected from the backside here.

No, you won't mess with the focus here. As long as the screen is able to return to its proper position, focusing will not be changed.

hiroh · May 28, 2022

Unfortunately it's happening again with the third roll.

Dan Daniel · May 28, 2022

Well, it probably is not the parallax, then. It appears to be moving back and forth as it should, at least the control arm.

I'd give up and let the repair shop deal with it.

hiroh · May 28, 2022

Now on the 4th, 5th frame it started working smoothly again.

Anyway, I emailed them and they responded quickly to bring the camera back, which I'll do on Monday.

Down Under · May 28, 2022

Good on you for having taken the right action!!

As others have posted, you are asking for trouble if/when you "tinker" with the focusing or the lenses in a Rollei or for that matter any other TLR.

This is the main reason why I would never, ever buy a Rollei from a private seller. The resulting repair bill to "unfix" home repairs would be too high.

Lesson there for anyone who owns a Rollei and has the urge to do "home repairs". Stay with building yourself a back verandah or a gazebo in the garden - leave the expert work to the experts...

Kodachromeguy · May 30, 2022

ozmoose said:
As others have posted, you are asking for trouble if/when you "tinker" with the focusing or the lenses in a Rollei or for that matter any other TLR.

Especially beware when some clown wonders if he can take the taking lens from one Rolleiflex and put it in the other because the first one's lens is scratched or has fungus? Duuh, who's going to calibrate the exact focal length of the new taking lens? What about the viewing lens? What about adjusting the position of the entire lens board?

Rolleiflex 2.8F focus adjustment

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