Rolleiflex TLR 3.5 Planar

penduboy · Mar 11, 2016

Hi, Recently I got MF bug and buying some new cameras. I just received a Rolleiflex in excellent condition and everything works fine on the camera except the shutter speed dial on the camera won't go beyond 1/16 and seemed jammed beyond that. i used little bit of extra pressure and manage to move it to 1/125 but it won't go beyond that at all and I don't want to apply extreme force with a fear of breaking something. I paid about $400 for this camera. Is it a good price for it and is it worth keeping it and looking into getting it repaired or try myself if it is an easy fix.

Aperture, focus and the crank works fine as it is supposed to be. I know you can sync aperture and shutter speed and I tried both way but shutter dial won't go beyond 1/16th. It works fine on all available shutter speeds like B, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16.

Please help and advise me if is worth keeping the camera and getting it fixed.

Thanks, Pendu

Alan9940 · Mar 11, 2016

Hard to judge "worth of getting it fixed" vs what you paid without knowing the model Rolleiflex purchased, but if you decide to have it repaired by a supremely competent person I'd highly recommend Harry at: http://www.rolleirepairs.com/

penduboy · Mar 11, 2016

Here is the image of the camera and the dial on the left hand side is bit jammed.

Thanks, Pendu

https://www.flickr.com/photos/91509868@N05/25593149252/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/91509868@N05/25688117726/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/91509868@N05/25714174525/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/91509868@N05/25619114031/in/dateposted-public/

pschwart · Mar 11, 2016

If you post the serial number we will know exactly what model Rollei you have.

penduboy · Mar 11, 2016

Serial Number on top of the camera is 1759983. Can I fix this by myself or is there any setting that need to be adjusted on the camera.

Thanks

penduboy · Mar 11, 2016

APUGuser19 said:
Absolutely have it worked on. This is a minor problem, as Rolleiflexes go.

Not sure where to start. I recently fixed stuck shutter blades on my Yashica Mat but don't know anything about Rolleiflex.

Thanks, Pendu

frank · Mar 11, 2016

Send it out for repair and recalibration. These are great cameras. Everyone needs a Rolleiflex TLR.

penduboy · Mar 12, 2016

I am in Vancouver, Canada. Not sure where to get this repaired. I was thinking if it is a simple fix, I can try myself.

Someone told me about Mr. Horst who is specialized in Rollie's and Hassy's. Anyone have experience with this person or any other recommendations. I guess repair will cost me additional $200 to $300 that will put camera cost to $700....is it worth that much?

With bit force I can move camera to 1/125th of second and works fine. Should I use the camera as is with max shutter speed at 1/125th?

Thanks, Pendu

frank · Mar 12, 2016

If you can handle it financially, please send the camera for repair. It will be worth it, IMO.

penduboy · Mar 12, 2016

I am good at fixing things if I can find some instructions. There are lot of instructions available for Yashica Mat but not so much for Rolleiflex.

I can handle it financially as long as I have not overpaid for this.

Thanks, Pendu

mike c · Mar 12, 2016

I would vote to have it Cleaned, calibrated and lubed, by a Qualified repair person. $200 to $300 is about right for a CLC.

mike c · Mar 12, 2016

I also think you got this camera pretty cheap, they go for around $700 to $800 with that particular lens.

Jeff L · Mar 12, 2016

penduboy said:
I am in Vancouver, Canada.

Thanks, Pendu

I'm not sure who's left in Vancouver. I understand a Rollei expert in Vancouver had retired.
If you want to keep the camera in the country, I would recommend Roger at CAMTECH in Hamilton Ontario.
He did work on my Rolleiflex and I was very happy with the work, price and timing. I'm sure others will vouch for him too. Good luck.
Jeff

MattKing · Mar 12, 2016

Horst Wenzel in Vancouver is the one you want to talk to. Just Google his name and his address (on West 38th) and telephone number will show up.

Paul in Arizona · Mar 12, 2016

penduboy said:
I guess repair will cost me additional $200 to $300 that will put camera cost to $700....is it worth that much?

You got it cheap enough. In that condition, having had a professional CLA it is worth $700 if resale is the only concern.
Remember that a Rollei 3.5 E(?) is worth a whole bunch of Yashica Mats and will last another 3 generations.
Don't bugger it up.
Get it professionally cleaned and re-lubed.

Richard S. (rich815) · Mar 12, 2016

I would vote to return it. With patience you can find a decent one at that price and one that works for that price or slightly more. I have about 10 Rolleiflexes and for the basic non-F ones (vs Tele- or -wide) have never paid more than $500 and gotten decent ones as cheap as $150 (personally I will never overpay for an F when a good E is just as good) all working though some in need of cleaning and slight adjusting.

Either way if you decide to keep it get it repaired by Harry Fleenor. Worth every penny and likely your issues are not just with the speeds. Bummer for you to spend money and time fixing the speeds yourself only to find the transport or focusing is way off and it needs more repair anyway when Harry will make it run like a finely oiled machine in one go.

Don't pay too much for the camera and then go cheap on repairing it right.

michaelfoto · Mar 12, 2016

I noticed from the pictures of the camera that shutter and aperture buttons are in the linked position. Before you return it or get it repaired, i suggest you unlink it by pushing and turning the center of the right button one quarter. (Seen from the front)
That way the shutter speeds are not limited by the aperture settings.

Michael.

penduboy · Mar 12, 2016

Hi all,

I have decided to keep the camera and get it professionally repaired.

Matt, Yes I will take it to Mr. Horst for estimate.
Michael, It is not in linked position but I have tried both ways.

Thanks, and I will keep you guys posted.

Richard S. (rich815) · Mar 12, 2016

penduboy said:
Hi all,

I have decided to keep the camera and get it professionally repaired.

Matt, Yes I will take it to Mr. Horst for estimate.
Michael, It is not in linked position but I have tried both ways.

Thanks, and I will keep you guys posted.

Even though you're in Canada I'd still highly highly recommend Harry Fleenor. The best bar none.

mikebarger · Mar 12, 2016

Harry made mine run like a champ!

penduboy · Mar 13, 2016

I was quoted $250 for repair. I think it is too much as everything on the camera works fine just the dial need some sort of lubrication. I want to remove the front plate to try myself and if I am unable to fix it I can take it to the repair guy. I think it is something minor.

I will also ask Harry how much he is going to charge to fix this minor issue.

I will appreciate any help to get me started. So far I have found the following info:

http://nelsonfoto.com/SMF/index.php?topic=12549.0;prev_next=prev#new
http://www.djcphoto.com/index.php/rolleiflex-3-5e-planar/
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153127&highlight=rolleiflex+repair

Thanks, Pendu

pschwart · Mar 13, 2016

penduboy said:
I was quoted $250 for repair. I think it is too much as everything on the camera works fine just the dial need some sort of lubrication. I want to remove the front plate to try myself and if I am unable to fix it I can take it to the repair guy. I think it is something minor.

I will also ask Harry how much he is going to charge to fix this minor issue.

I will appreciate any help to get me started. So far I have found the following info:

http://nelsonfoto.com/SMF/index.php?topic=12549.0;prev_next=prev#new
http://www.djcphoto.com/index.php/rolleiflex-3-5e-planar/
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153127&highlight=rolleiflex+repair

Thanks, Pendu

$400 was steep for a 3.5E that isn't in good working order, but if you have decided to keep it, it obviously is in need of a CLA, and $250 is relatively inexpensive for a competent job. Don't be surprised if it turns up other work that needs to be done, so the bill could easily double. If you want to learn how to work on Rolleis, buy a beater Automat. Personally, I'd either ask for a significant rebate from the seller, or even return it if that is an option.

BobMarvin11225 · Mar 13, 2016

ANY Rollei you buy is likely to need a CLA, unless a recent one is documented by the seller. Have a CLA done and the camera is unlikely to need further work for 10+ years.

pschwart · Mar 13, 2016

If the camera still has the original ground glass, I'd recommend replacing it with some flavor of bright screen. It's not required, but it will vastly improve the shooting experience, especially in lower light levels. I had Harry install a Maxwell Hi-lux screen in 2009 and it cost $185 (only $10 of that was labor). There are less expensive screens available but I can't vouch for them.

pschwart · Mar 13, 2016

pschwart said:
If the camera still has the original ground glass, I'd recommend replacing it with some flavor of bright screen. It's not required, but it will vastly improve the shooting experience, especially in lower light levels. I had Harry install a Maxwell Hi-lux screen in 2009 and it cost $185 (only $10 of that was labor). There are less expensive screens available but I can't vouch for them.

Checked Harry's web site, and current prices for Maxwell screens are up 60% from 2009 -- $275 plus $34 for installation. Ouch! Finance this by foregoing a daily latte for 3 months

Rolleiflex TLR 3.5 Planar

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