Rolleiflex Remote Air Release

jspec1594 · Sep 19, 2022

Has anyone had success with one of these? I just got a Kaiser Pneumatic Remote Release (https://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/produkte/artikel.php?nr=6143), but it won't trip the shutter on my Rollei (or even my Leica for that matter).

Curious if anyone has suggestions before I return it.

AgX · Sep 19, 2022

Have you tried it without the cable?

That cable makes no sense in your case, if it does at all.

ic-racer · Sep 19, 2022

I got mine in the 1980s and it was kind of cheap made even back then. I could not afford the $400 Rollei Infrared accessory. As I recall, I had to squeeze the bulb very hard to get it to work.
Crazy that now I have an Infrared release for my Nikon N75 that only cost a few dollars.

jspec1594 · Sep 19, 2022

AgX said:
Have you tried it without the cable?

That cable makes no sense in your case, if it does at all.

Do you mean the additional cable it comes with? Yeah, I tried with and without.

choiliefan · Sep 20, 2022

Perhaps you can find a nice used De Groff.

de groff shutter release site:www.photrio.com - Google Search

AgX · Sep 20, 2022

I got several bulb relases of different design, including your one. I assume you are operating it the wrong way.

If one holds the bulb between thumb and index finger, even added by the middle finger, the bulb is too elastic to built the maximum force. If on holds the bulb between the palm and the four fingers and thus squeezes the bulb about most of its circumference, much more pressure can be applied.

pbromaghin · Sep 20, 2022

I have one that came from a grab-bag of camera stuff a few years ago. No brand name that I can see. It works great, even on Mamiya C lenses.

ic-racer · Sep 20, 2022

I got mine out and tried it on a Rolleiflex SL35 sitting in front of me. The bulb still fires the camera, but it still requires a good hard squeeze.
Do you have the plunger adjusted correctly for your camera?

jspec1594 · Sep 20, 2022

AgX said:
I got several bulb relases of different design, including your one. I assume you are operating it the wrong way.

If one holds the bulb between thumb and index finger, even added by the middle finger, the bulb is too elastic to built the maximum force. If on holds the bulb between the palm and the four fingers and thus squeezes the bulb about most of its circumference, much more pressure can be applied.

I’m pretty sure that’s how I was squeezing it. I’m thinking that mine might be a dud because after squeezing the bulb it did not inflate and return to normal size again.

AgX · Sep 20, 2022

Actually I prefer bulb releases because they are smoother in operation than cable ones.

So there is something wrong with your sample. The cylinder cap seems only be clicked-on, but I do not see a way of getting it off without risking harm. In this cap there is a tiny hole ventilating the spring space. You might de-clog it with a needle or even drill it. However at my samples the piston moves the same even with hole covered.
Maybe the piston itself got stuck in its cylinder. But as said you hardly can undo the cap.

cayenne · Sep 23, 2022

If you're not stuck on pneumatic remote actuation....I might recommend you look at a mechanical one from Reveni Labs that makes the great, small light meters.
So far it works on everything, except, for some reason...my Noblex 120 film swing lens camera.

But so far, all others work great:

Look here: Remote Control Mechanical Shutter Release - Version 2

HTH,

cayenne

Rolleiflex Remote Air Release

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