Rolleiflex 3.5's apertur not totally open at F3.5?

Frank Dean,  Blacksmith

A
Frank Dean, Blacksmith

  • 5
  • 3
  • 40
Woman wearing shades.

Woman wearing shades.

  • 0
  • 1
  • 45
Curved Wall

A
Curved Wall

  • 5
  • 0
  • 77
Crossing beams

A
Crossing beams

  • 9
  • 1
  • 100
Shadow 2

A
Shadow 2

  • 5
  • 1
  • 70

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,839
Messages
2,781,683
Members
99,725
Latest member
saint_otrott
Recent bookmarks
0

Lionel1972

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
332
Location
France
Format
Multi Format
I've just noticed that my Rolleiflex 3.5E doesn't have his iris' blades completely hidden when open all the way at F3.5. Is this normal?
 

Attachments

  • RolleiWO.jpg
    RolleiWO.jpg
    428.1 KB · Views: 132
Last edited by a moderator:

removed account4

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
29,832
Format
Hybrid
to make sure, measure the iris opening
and divide it into the focal length ...
 
OP
OP
Lionel1972

Lionel1972

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
332
Location
France
Format
Multi Format
Thank you for your replies. Measuring is not very easy, but theoretically I should get 21.43 mm for the diameter of the aperture at F3.5, but the width of the front element is already more like 24 mm, so it could be normal that we seem get to see some of the blades. The shutter sounds dead on even at 1s, it doesn"t seem sticky. I know the master spring of the shutter had been replaced by the person who sold it to me. The aperture dial doesn't seem stuck either as the 3.5 marking stops at the right place when wide open. Maybe tt's just a bit of paranoia from me.
 

Dan Daniel

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,883
Location
upstate New York
Format
Medium Format
Automat K4A 3.5 Tessar- No, mine is basically right at the other edge when set to 3.5. Once I move off of 3.5, the blades start moving into the circle immediately. Your photo looks like mine when it is between f4-5.6. I'd say you are losing 1 stop?

I assume that the aperture opens and closes, so the mechanism is engaged.

Was it worked on recently? Around both lenses are gears that transfer location info from the dials. It is quite possible to disassemble the parts and place the indicator dial back in place incorrectly. Hard question to explain, but can you tell if the stop when you move wide open is around the lower or upper lens? There is a hard stop on the lower gears, but if the upper gear with the indicator was put back in the wrong place, it might create its own stop before the 'real' stop.

Other than disassembly, it's hard to imagine the gears jumping a tooth or two, but that's the only other explanation I can see. Maybe others have another explanation for it being off. But yes, I think that it is off and it matches no other lens I have seen (and I have a variety of TLRs with f3.5 lenses).
 
OP
OP
Lionel1972

Lionel1972

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
332
Location
France
Format
Multi Format
Thanks Dan. Yes it's been worked on about a year ago by the seller to whom I had to send it back for some loosened inner screws that had blocked the aperture and speed dials. I had not noticed being 1 stop off with my transparencies (handheld metering). I think I'll contact him now and see what he says.
 

ic-racer

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
16,546
Location
USA
Format
Multi Format
I'll bet the front plate was not put back on correctly.
 
OP
OP
Lionel1972

Lionel1972

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
332
Location
France
Format
Multi Format
I contacted the seller and I'm gonna send it back to him for an overall check, last time he was very helpful and quick to fix it. Hopefully I'll get it back fixed by next week. He just asked me to cover the shipping cost, fine with me.
 

draw_de

Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
8
Format
35mm
Hello,

I have the same camera model as yours.
Here is a shot at 3.5F
You probably can't see it due to the reflection but I can confirm that at 3.5F the blades are not visible.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us
 
OP
OP
Lionel1972

Lionel1972

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
332
Location
France
Format
Multi Format
So I got it back from the seller who fixed it very quickly. Now the blades indeed disappear when open all the way at f 3.5. He said there was indeed a little inner piece of metal that was bent and was not exactly doing what it was supposed to do. Thanks everyone.
Still need to put it to test but it seems everything is smoother, especially the focusing nob that used to feel a tiny bit stiff at some point on the way to the closest focusing distance.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom