Rolleiflex 3.5E Depth of Field Indicator

RonB · Nov 24, 2015

I have a Rolleiflex 3.5E with a depth of field indicator that closes nearly entirely at f/5.6, and is not at all accurate. I actually just got it back from a shutter repair, and will be contacting the repairman ASAP, but will using it this way cause any damage in the meanwhile? There's a clicking sound when opening past f/5.6 which is my real source of concern. I think it might be the indicator trying to close further.

Theo Sulphate · Nov 24, 2015

Although I've never looked at the DOF mechanism, I'd say it's certain that as you choose wider apertures that mechanism is trying to bring the DOF bands closer together and, since they can't get any closer in your case, parts are going to be wearing or possibly bending.

Personally, I'd stay no wider than f/5.6 until the repair guy can correct it.

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 24, 2015

And it just got back from a repair? Please tell us who.

RonB · Nov 24, 2015

I don't want to name any names as it were at this point. I'm sure things will be made right, and until proven otherwise I don't see the point in doing so. This person has done great work for me in the past, and this is the first issue I've had. I'm more concerned about the ongoing health of my Rollei.

summicron1 · Nov 25, 2015

RonB said:
I don't want to name any names as it were at this point. I'm sure things will be made right, and until proven otherwise I don't see the point in doing so. This person has done great work for me in the past, and this is the first issue I've had. I'm more concerned about the ongoing health of my Rollei.

if something is not right, you make it worse by using the camera. Set it aside, send it back.

TheFlyingCamera · Nov 25, 2015

That clicking noise may be something in the focusing mechanism. Don't keep using it! If it is anything like the problem I had with my Rollei recently, it's one of the most difficult things on the camera to fix because to get to it, your repairman will basically have to disassemble the entire camera to get to it.

RonB · Nov 25, 2015

Well, I just spoke to my repair guy; he's going to take it back and make it right for me. Even going to turn it back around by the weekend if at all possible. He has done so much, even for free -- he cleaned the focus screen and the mirror on this Rollei without charge, and repainted the engravings on my M6 when I took it in for just fixing the alignment -- that I think it's a genuine mistake.

Sirius Glass · Nov 25, 2015

Great news RonB, and I always thought that it would go that way.

Rolleiflex 3.5E Depth of Field Indicator

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