Rolleiflex 3.5 depth of field indicator

OAPOli · Nov 21, 2023

I have a Rollei 3.5 (E2 or C, no meter, fixed finder) with a DOF indicator that's stuck. I removed the front plate but I cannot see how the coupling is achieved. On the 3.5F there is a sprung rack that couples to the aperture wheel via a differential. Maybe something is missing here?

Dan Daniel · Nov 21, 2023

Is there a piece of metal projecting from the side of the aperture lever? Maybe 3/4 inch long sideways, 1/8 to3/16 inch wide?

Put up a couple of more shots closer on the right side of the shutter. That middle right metal tab with a black screw and the tab below it are parts of the mechanism. And to the right of the middle tab are two pieces of metal tucked down in the slot- these are the coupling pieces.

Rollei varied this mechanism all the time so it's hard to say if the parts are missing or if the parts were let slide down into focus when other work was done.

OAPOli · Nov 21, 2023

Thanks @Dan Daniel ! Here's a pic of the side. I can see now where the coupling occurs. The tab in the centre pivots up & down with the aperture lever. It's a bit sluggish to return and the screw holding the pivot has a touch of solder (yikes). I can hear something moving under but alas the DOF ribbon doesn't respond. So I guess the issue is further down. I don't think I should bother going further?

Dan Daniel · Nov 21, 2023

Well, you need to take off the focus knob side panel next. This means removing the strap lug, peeling up the leather, and removing 5 or 6 screws. The side panel lifts up with the focus know integrated into it.

Your call if you want to go in. All in all I find this to be one of those slick but almost useless things Rollei could do. A bit of showing off on their part. And it is one of those things 'should' be handled in a proper reassembly. But its real world usefulness is small.

OAPOli · Nov 21, 2023

Dan Daniel said:
Well, you need to take off the focus knob side panel next. This means removing the strap lug, peeling up the leather, and removing 5 or 6 screws. The side panel lifts up with the focus know integrated into it.

Your call if you want to go in. All in all I find this to be one of those slick but almost useless things Rollei could do. A bit of showing off on their part. And it is one of those things 'should' be handled in a proper reassembly. But its real world usefulness is small.

Agreed! It's neat to see the indicator in action, but nearly useless when shooting. Eventually I'll take a look at it. Thanks again.

OAPOli · Nov 21, 2023

I watched this video which shows the focus side of the 3.5F:
The 3,5C/E has a similar DOF mechanism. In my case the forks that slide the DOF masks inside the focus knob were uncoupled and set aside. Their rotation was a bit stiff and impeded on the setting of aperture. I put a drop of light oil and it now works reasonably well. The coupling shown in post #3 is still a bit sluggish but I'll leave it there.

Dan Daniel · Nov 21, 2023

Great. Lots of places for binding in such a system!

OAPOli · Nov 21, 2023

Dan Daniel said:
Great. Lots of places for binding in such a system!

Yes! Hard to believe the slight stiffness was jamming the aperture. But since there are a half-dozen linkages it adds up. It's funny that the issue was diagnosed but not fixed. Half an "A", no "C/L". I've been there

OAPOli · Nov 28, 2023

An additional note. There is a brass retaining ring you can remove (pin spanner) to clean the rotating masks or to relieve any preload impeding on the rotation. If the movement is still sluggish one could also shorten the pull springs.

Dan Daniel · Nov 28, 2023

If you haven't found this yet, I'll mention that the bracket below (toward bottom of camera) the focus knob that the sliding plate moves up and down through is adjustable. The screw holes are oversized. Sometimes a little movement of this bracket frees up the plate.

OAPOli · Nov 28, 2023

Thanks for the info. In my case the movement of the arms is fine without the focus knob, but they are slow to return when the knob is on. Too much friction on the little rotating rings I suppose (despite a good cleaning and a bit of lube), or maybe there is a slight eccentricity.

Dan Daniel · Nov 28, 2023

Clean off all the lube and try again. Too much drag.

OAPOli · Nov 28, 2023

Thanks. Running it dry is better. Not perfect but that'll do!

Dan Daniel · Nov 29, 2023

Well, next time you have the knob apart, run a tissue or such in the groove that the shutters travel in. This can clean the back of the window, also. The groove can still have some oil and dirt in it.

And again, the lower bracket can make a big difference. Sounds as if the isolated section is doing well, but just in case. That flat plate should have a little kick returning to the bottom if lifted up. Even with the light springs, when set up it will snap.

Rolleiflex 3.5 depth of field indicator

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