Rolleiflex 3.5T focusing problem .. ?

Matus Kalisky · Jun 4, 2007

Hello,

My "new" rolleflex 3.5T arived just 2 days ago. Although the seller described it as: "clean and in full working order" - I found out that although the camera look beautifull and everything seems to work fine - apart from the focusing. Although is i smooth - it is off. I can not focuse to infinity. The close focusing of ~ 3 feet seems OK, but then once I start to focuse towards infinity the focusing scale runs faster than what I see in the viewfinder - so I guess there is some missaligment.

Of course I already contacted the seller (the item was sold with 1 year guarantee !) but would like to ask what kind of problem it might be and what kind of price should I expect in the case that the ony option the seller would offer me would be to return the camera (which I do not want ! - the camera is really in beautifull condition otherwise).

thanks

Matus

Peter De Smidt · Jun 4, 2007

My understanding is that both lenses can be adjusted by a repair person for focus. They put a ground glass plate where on the film rails (the part that the film rests against, and they can adjust the lens forward and back until everything is sharp. Sometimes this needs to be done, for example, when you change to an aftermarket viewing screen. I'm not sure how much this'll cost, as some Rollei repair people will only do a full CLA.

dpurdy · Jun 4, 2007

It could be a very simple adjustment and there is a columnater (sp?) instrument that is more critically correct than glassing a ground glass on the back of the lens.

I have just gotten a Rollei FX that the focus is also off and I have talked to Harry Fleenor (reknowned Rollei repair in US) about it. He says it is the rare Rollei that isn't off somewhat. He installs the Maxwell bright screen and does the focus adjustment as part of the installation.

Dennis Purdy

Matus Kalisky · Jun 4, 2007

Thanks. Let's see waht the sellers opinion is, but if you could advice me for a reapir in GERMANY around Frankfurt (that's where I am located now) it might be helpfull...

matus

ricksplace · Jun 4, 2007

I have a Rolleiflex T that I sent for a full-through CLA. It came back like a new camera, good for another 50 years. It is well worth the extra money for a full through CLA.

Peter De Smidt · Jun 4, 2007

You could always call Rolleiflex to get an estimate. See: http://www.rollei.com/

Foto- und Filmgeräte Service GmbH
Petzvalstraße 56a
38104 Braunschweig
Telefon 05 31/ 23 72 50
Email info@ffs-service.de

j_landecker · Jun 5, 2007

Check to see if the focussing screen is installed upside down... the matte surface should be facing down (towards the mirror).

Matus Kalisky · Jun 6, 2007

- j -

Thanks a lot - I will have a look. This should be easy to check and if it is the case also to repair.

Matus Kalisky · Jun 7, 2007

- j -

You were RIGHT !!! That was the problem. Somebody just installed the focusing screen upside down. I have jsut turned it and now it wors great!
And how much easier it is now to use ! I am happy happy happy ...

Thank you very much.

Also I was a bit surprised to find out that the focusing screen is plastic - I expected it to be made from glass. Anyhow - it works quite fine and I do not have a need for brighter one (not yet ). It has a grid and and splitt screen focusing. I am running my ffirst film through (Velvia 100 for thesting) - I will let you know how it turned out .

P.S. Is there anybody out there willing to sell one bayonet I lens cap? I just can't find any.

Chaska · Jun 7, 2007

Forget the lenscap, get a Bay 1 hood. It is critical for shooting and provides adequate protection. Should find one for around $25. I have 2 flexes and 2 cords all with hoods on all the time. I think I have one lenscap but have honestly never used it when traveling or even sending cameras in for a CLA.

Most of all enjoy it, shoot LOTS of film, the more you use a TLR the better you get at learning and exploiting its quirks.

Matus Kalisky · Jun 7, 2007

Yes - I do plan to get the Bay I hood. But I would like to get the lens cap as I plan to carry the camera without the leader case (inside my crumpler shouder back together with DSLR) and there it would be nice to have the lens cap... ... waht about selling me yours ?

I also plan to get some small incident light meter soon - my Minolta 7D is more than precise enough but far from being small and fast to use.

Rolleiflexible · Jun 7, 2007

Chaska is right. Forget the lens cap, buy a hood and leave it on. The hood will protect the taking lens well enough. It also provides some protection to the viewing lens by holding the camera away from things that could damage it. The viewing lens of course is not nearly so critical as the viewing lens. But if you are concerned about keeping it pristine, put a UV filter over it.

I've had a lot of Rolleiflexes. The only ones that wore lens caps were the ones that never left the shelf.

Sanders

Matus Kalisky · Jun 7, 2007

One more question - is it possible to use filter AND a lens hood at the same time ?

Matus

David H. Bebbington · Jun 7, 2007

slnce-z-gsi said:
One more question - is it possible to use filter AND a lens hood at the same time ?

Matus

Yes, thanks to the fiendishly clever Rollei double bayonet accessory mount - filters on the inner mount, lens hood on the outer!

Rolleiflex 3.5T focusing problem .. ?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency