Rolleiflex Counter Problem - HELP!

[Monz]

Dear All,
I just came back from the camera fair with a Rolleiflex 2.8F. The seller told me he was selling it on behalf of the estate of a deceased friend. Anway, the camera body and lens look to be in excellent general condition but I am having problems with the counter. I am loading the film as per instructions, ie in between the "feeler" rollers. When I close the back, the counter resets to zero, but when I turn the crank, the counter doesn't move and the crank doesn't catch like it should... it just turns with mildy varying levels of resistance. If I turn the crank with the back open (with film in), the counter moves.

Any ideas what the problem is?

Thanks.

--
Monz

 

[colincooperphoto]

Monz, what kind of film are you using? Is it 120 or 220? Not all F's are designed for 220. Barring that I would suggest that you send it in to Fleenor or Krimar for a CLA. Krimar will get the camera back to you faster.

Good luck,

-C

 

[Monz]

Monz, what kind of film are you using? Is it 120 or 220? Not all F's are designed for 220. Barring that I would suggest that you send it in to Fleenor or Krimar for a CLA. Krimar will get the camera back to you faster.

Good luck,

-C

Hi,
I am using standard 120 film. I am beginning to understand what the problem is but I'm not sure. The film has to pass in between a pair of sensing rollers. Pressure on one of the sensing rollers engages a mechanism which allows the counter to move. It seems to me as if the presence of the film over the roller is not engaging this mechanism. I'll post some pictures later.

--
Monz

 

[oftheherd]

I thought it sounded like you had found the thing which had me going when I first got my Rolleiflex. Indeed, just where the film comes off the roll and just before it enters the back area, there is a small roller there that the film must go under. It senses the thickness change as the film comes in to the box area, and begins the counting. What you mentioned in your first post sounded like you were doing that. But it puzzes me that it works when the back is open but not when closed. Sounds like something else that needs to be set.

Hopefully someone with the exact same camera can come up and help. Mine is the f/3.5 version. I just went through sort of the same figuring-out process with my Weltini. Some things weren't obvious to me until I tried to put film in. My next project will be with a TLR, but not a Rolleiflex. Good Luck.

 

[Monz]

I thought it sounded like you had found the thing which had me going when I first got my Rolleiflex. Indeed, just where the film comes off the roll and just before it enters the back area, there is a small roller there that the film must go under. It senses the thickness change as the film comes in to the box area, and begins the counting. What you mentioned in your first post sounded like you were doing that. But it puzzes me that it works when the back is open but not when closed. Sounds like something else that needs to be set.

Hopefully someone with the exact same camera can come up and help. Mine is the f/3.5 version. I just went through sort of the same figuring-out process with my Weltini. Some things weren't obvious to me until I tried to put film in. My next project will be with a TLR, but not a Rolleiflex. Good Luck.

Hi,
Thanks.
*There is a small springloaded lever (=zero reset) on the right near the lower film chamber which is pressed downwards by the closing lid so that the counter is reset when you load a new roll of film. With the lid open, the lever stays in the 'up' position. It seems that whilst the lever is 'up', the counter will advance when you crank the handle (if film is loaded). With the lever in the 'down' position (you can push it down with your finger whilst the back is open), the counter will move only if the sensing rollers sense a critical thickness between them and engage the counter. This is my best guess from studying the mechanism for ages last night but I need the forum Rollei experts to advise me. Where are you guys?!

--
Monz

 

[rogue_designer]

sounds like you are loading it correctly (between/under the feeler rollers). And it sounds like your reset is working correctly.

Does it appear that the back is bent anywhere? I'm wondering if the rollers are knocked slightly out of place, so the film thickness isn't engaging the mechanism. Though, taking a close look at my E3 model, I can't see what would go on there, unless the roller had something stuck in the gearing.

Might be time for a CLA, and have that looked at by Fleenor or Krimar.

 

[Monz]

sounds like you are loading it correctly (between/under the feeler rollers). And it sounds like your reset is working correctly.

Does it appear that the back is bent anywhere? I'm wondering if the rollers are knocked slightly out of place, so the film thickness isn't engaging the mechanism. Though, taking a close look at my E3 model, I can't see what would go on there, unless the roller had something stuck in the gearing.

Might be time for a CLA, and have that looked at by Fleenor or Krimar.

Hi rogue_designer,

The back looks perfect and the rollers look straight (see photos). Earlier today, I spoke to a couple of UK Rollei repairmen - it sounds as if the sensitivity of the "feeling rollers" needs to be adjusted. Apparently this requires dismantling the side of the camera - not really a DIY job! So the 2.8F is off for a service this week.
All the best.
--
Monz

 

[Monz]

Sorted

Sorted

I just had the Rolleiflex back after having it serviced. The counter seems to work fine now. The feeler rollers needed adjustment. At the same time, the rest of the camera was also serviced; so hopefully it should last for some years.

All the best.
--
Monz

 

[rogue_designer]

glad it's working now... enjoy the cam!

 

[Monz]

Thanks rogue_designer. My first roll is going through at the moment. Focussing and getting used to the laterally inverted image are trickier than I expected!
--
Monz