Rolleiflex Baby shutter maintenance question

Jcfarm · Jul 28, 2024

So…..I’m looking at a Rolleiflex 4x4. The baby version. Very cool. But the shutter was stuck slightly open. I played with it a few times and then it closed - but wouldn’t fire at all after that.

My question - how “do it yourself” friendly would it be to try to fix that myself? I’m fairly mechanical and capable - but I know nothing about repairing cameras.

I can buy it for $125 “as-is”.

Thoughts and advice from this community would be appreciated!

Thanks.

GregY · Jul 28, 2024

Jcfarm said:
So…..I’m looking at a Rolleiflex 4x4. The baby version. Very cool. But the shutter was stuck slightly open. I played with it a few times and then it closed - but wouldn’t fire at all after that.

My question - how “do it yourself” friendly would it be to try to fix that myself? I’m fairly mechanical and capable - but I know nothing about repairing cameras.

I can buy it for $125 “as-is”.

Thoughts and advice from this community would be appreciated!

Thanks.

All Rolleiflex TLR are beautiful well-made cameras. The baby Rolleiflex 4x4 takes 127 film which is in very short supply and roughly 2x the price of 120. ($20/roll). Being mechanical doesn't translate well into servicing the shutter of a camera for accuracy. I'd be more inclined to look for a Rolleicord or 'flex or (Yashicamat)that uses 120 film, and have it professionally serviced if required.

Dan Daniel · Jul 28, 2024

Right off the bat, to get the lens cover plate off you will need to make a special tool to remove a collar around the flash sync. And from there the fun has just begun.

I would suggest starting elsewhere on fixing a shutter. The Baby is a unique model. What you learn working on it will not apply to much else!

Jcfarm · Jul 28, 2024

Ah, thanks. Good advice Greg and Dan.

Are there any good on-line places to shop for TLR’s that have a reputation for selling well serviced and fully functioning cameras?

Jcfarm · Jul 28, 2024

Also, what should I expect to pay for a good Yashica-Mat or Rolleicord?

BrianShaw · Jul 28, 2024

Varies a lot based on which model and what condition.

Dan Daniel · Jul 29, 2024

Jcfarm said:
Are there any good on-line places to shop for TLR’s that have a reputation for selling well serviced and fully functioning cameras?

The classifieds here and at similar forums are worth looking at. People are more honest than on Ebay or such. Then there are camera stores like Blue Moon and Seawood who have a strong interest in analog cameras and sell honestly. You will pay at places like that, but you will get a working camera and people who stand behind it.

BrianShaw · Jul 29, 2024

Dan Daniel said:
... People are more honest than on Ebay or such. ...

I wouldn't bet on that...

Ohterwise, good advice. I was going to reply that buying from the folks who do camera overhauls, like yourself, might be the best idea.

k.hendrik · Jul 29, 2024

Go for the baby at first and then expend....

Tel · Jul 29, 2024

Dan Daniel said:
Right off the bat, to get the lens cover plate off you will need to make a special tool to remove a collar around the flash sync. And from there the fun has just begun.

I would suggest starting elsewhere on fixing a shutter. The Baby is a unique model. What you learn working on it will not apply to much else!

Ditto that; I’ve repaired two of these and can say from experience that they’re very difficult to work on. The innards are tiny and the camera uses a very complex system of interlocking mechanisms with very fine tolerances. If any part of the film advance/shutter cocking/frame counter mechanism is incorrectly adjusted, the camera will fail to function. The weakest links are the shutter itself and the cocking mechanism, and removal of the shutter, lenses and a whole stack of shims is required to get the shutter out and work on it.(And, of course, the hard part is putting it back together correctly.) Dan is right: practice on a simpler camera first. If you want to shoot 127, I’d recommend getting a Yashica 44: a much much simpler machine that takes very nice pictures nonetheless. Let me know if you want one; I have a spare one or two floating around….

Jcfarm · Jul 29, 2024

k.hendrik said:
Go for the baby at first and then expend....

Is that a Rolleiflex SLR? I didn’t know they existed. Cool!

Jcfarm · Jul 29, 2024

Tel said:
Ditto that; I’ve repaired two of these and can say from experience that they’re very difficult to work on. The innards are tiny and the camera uses a very complex system of interlocking mechanisms with very fine tolerances. If any part of the film advance/shutter cocking/frame counter mechanism is incorrectly adjusted, the camera will fail to function. The weakest links are the shutter itself and the cocking mechanism, and removal of the shutter, lenses and a whole stack of shims is required to get the shutter out and work on it.(And, of course, the hard part is putting it back together correctly.) Dan is right: practice on a simpler camera first. If you want to shoot 127, I’d recommend getting a Yashica 44: a much much simpler machine that takes very nice pictures nonetheless. Let me know if you want one; I have a spare one or two floating around….

Good advice. Thanks. I sent you a message.

k.hendrik · Jul 29, 2024

Jcfarm said:
Is that a Rolleiflex SLR? I didn’t know they existed. Cool!

Oops, you're a novice on more terrains ?!

Jcfarm · Jul 29, 2024

Yep. Want to sell me a bridge?

Now I have another 6x6 to lust after!

GregY · Jul 29, 2024

Jcfarm said:
Is that a Rolleiflex SLR? I didn’t know they existed. Cool!

Here's the scoop.... pretty interesting camera in it's day

Rolleiflex SL66 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Frenchy · Sep 24, 2024

Dan Daniel said:
Right off the bat, to get the lens cover plate off you will need to make a special tool to remove a collar around the flash sync. And from there the fun has just begun.

I would suggest starting elsewhere on fixing a shutter. The Baby is a unique model. What you learn working on it will not apply to much else!

hi from France

Daniel have you an idea of which type a special tool is needed to remove the collar around the flash synchro ? any picture or video ?
many thanks

Dan Daniel · Sep 24, 2024

I took a socket driver that fit around the flash sync post. I ground away the outside of the driver so that it would fit in the recess. Then I ground away to get two prongs.

Actually I made this for the same thing on a Rolleiflex T and later found out that the same setup works on the Baby Rollei.

Frenchy · Sep 25, 2024

Dan Daniel said:
I took a socket driver that fit around the flash sync post. I ground away the outside of the driver so that it would fit in the recess. Then I ground away to get two prongs.

Actually I made this for the same thing on a Rolleiflex T and later found out that the same setup works on the Baby Rollei.

Great job and great tool Dan. many thanks for the pictures.

Alex Varas · Sep 25, 2024

My tool for the Rolleiflex T, described in this other post for dimensions:

Post in thread 'Rolleiflex T - Film advance mechanism broken'
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/rolleiflex-t-film-advance-mechanism-broken.204123/post-2813475

Frenchy · Sep 25, 2024

Alex Varas said:
My tool for the Rolleiflex T, described in this other post for dimensions:

Post in thread 'Rolleiflex T - Film advance mechanism broken'
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/rolleiflex-t-film-advance-mechanism-broken.204123/post-2813475

merci Alex

Rolleiflex Baby shutter maintenance question

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