Got my Cord

[shimoda]

Hi all,
this is my first post after lurking a month. Bought a new Seagull 2 months ago and have been playing with that. Like everybody else I soon realised that the build quality was on par with the price. Decent pictures but I fear that the mechanics will let me down if used too much.

So of course I start looking for the real thing. A Rollei. Much to learn!! I decide I would like a camera in very good condition so after trolling eBay and KEH and whatnot I realise that a Rolleicord is more suitable for my budget.

Found one Rolleicord Vb from a used camera dealer inSweden. www.l-foto.se Site is only in swedish.

It was supposed to be in A- condition. After a lot of haggling over price and accessories we agreed on a price of SEK 3200 = €310
for a Rolleicord Vb with a case + a lens hood + medium yellow filter. With 3 months quarantee.

The camera arrived yesterday. I was very happy. It was nicer than I had hoped for. Case looks like new and camera body has zero scratches. Shutter seems to be working at all speeds.
Now I will load some film and shoot some winter landscapes.

I have one question for the great blog brain. The flash/syncro/self timer has settings for M, X and V
I understand that V is for self timer and M and X are different flash modes. Bulb and electronic if I understand correctly. If set to X I feel that there is some issues with lower shutter speeds (below 1/30). They do not fire every time. I read a manual yesterday and there was mentioning of X-mode needing shutter speeds of 125 and up. On M-mode shutter works as expected. Is this normal or should I contact the dealer about this?

regards and thanks for a great forum.

 

[Jerevan]

You've gotten yourself a great camera! I think these are the best of the Rolleicord bunch, having owned two.

If you have problems with the shutterspeeds when the lever is set to X, that sounds strange. When set to X, using a flash, it should fire the flash at every speed from 1 sec up to 1/500 sec, so X-mode does not need shutterspeeds above 1/125.

The lever should be set at X, as you have suggested. The M is for magnesium bulbs and V is selftimer (Vorkaufverk if my memory is correct on the german term).

So, am I correct in thinking that shutter fires at all speeds? But not every time on speeds below 1/30 sec, even when you try it in the warmth of your home? If so, I am thinking it does not work as it should.

For the record, I sent a Rolleiflex MX-EVS for a CLA to these guys (www.l-foto.se), as their CLA prices were cheap. Well below other repair guys. Which should have been a warning sign to me.

Unfortunately, the camera came back in worse condition than it went out. The shutter did not fire every time, the aperture wheel was very stiff and the selftimer did not open the shutter as it should.

Needless to say, I am not letting them within a few miles of my camera again. And I blame myself for being a cheapskate. Now it is in the care of another repair guy.

However, you probably are better off, and hopefully the problems I had were an exception. As you have a warranty, I suggest you send it back if the shutter doesn't fire. You have paid enough to have a camera that should work perfectly.

 

[shimoda]

......
However, you probably are better off, and hopefully the problems I had were an exception. As you have a warranty, I suggest you send it back if the shutter doesn't fire. You have paid enough to have a camera that should work perfectly.

Thanks for your answer. I will test it again this evening and see if I'm right about this. Maybe I was so high last night I did something wrong 🙂.
May I ask (as a fellow Northener) where you sent your for repair. USA? Germany? Someone good in Sweden?

r

 

[Jerevan]

Yes, I agree with your idea of a second test. Just to be sure whether there is something wrong or not.

I send most of my repairs through Fotokompaniet (www.fotokomaniet.com) to a repair guy in Stockholm. He's done several Rolleicords and Rolleiflexes for me and he knows his stuff. I have sent the botched Rolleiflex to him.

Otherwise, I've sent my Nikon F2 to Sover Wong (http://soverf2repair.webs.com/) in the UK and my Pentax to Erick Henderson (www.pentaxs.com). I have also had good experiences regarding Leica with Will van Manen (http://www.kamera-service.info/).

 

[wallace]

Great camera, though the price seems a little high...
In Germany I highly recommend Foto Gerhardt:

http://www.loisachtal.net/gerhardt/

wallace

 

[shimoda]

Great camera, though the price seems a little high...
In Germany I highly recommend Foto Gerhardt:

http://www.loisachtal.net/gerhardt/

wallace

Yes, I know I could have got for some 50€ less on eBay but I wanted the warranty and buying from someone with a real address🙂
I hope my shutter problem turns out to be nothing, otherwise I will have to test that warranty tomorrow.

r

 

[shimoda]

Well, well, well. It does not always pay to pay "dealer prices" for supposedly better cameras. As I suspected the shutter is faulty. In X.mode it does not work and in M-mode it works almost all the time. Bummer.

Called the store owner and he was surprised. Does not think he knew about the shutter. Anyway he promised to fix it so I have now packed it and shipped it off. My only worry now is Jerevan's story about a botched job by this same company. Hope it was a one time event.

Will check it over like a hawk once I get it back. Will keep you posted how it goes. If this company is crocked more people should now about it. And if they do a good job I will tell you.

I suppose the only thing left now is to load a new roll of film in the trusty old Seagull.

r

 

[Jerevan]

I hope it was only a one-off problem I had, and that yours is going to be fine after a check-up at the store.

 

[shimoda]

Well, as promised I'm back with info about what happened. Today the dealer informed by email that they are uncapable of repairing the camera and will reimburse me the cost + the cost for shipping it back.
That is decent of them I think.
Only question now is, should I buy one from KEH or eBay? Any advice?

r

 

[MCTuomey]

i have used KEH for the past 6 years and, out of over 40 purchases, had to return but one item for which i was given a full refund, no questions asked. recommended. their ratings are generally accurate, even a bit conservative.

 

[Jerevan]

Too bad, Shimoda! I was hoping it was a one-off, but it seems not. I got my Rolleiflex back from my repair guy and it works much better now (or rather, as it should). I don't have any 'Cords on the shelf but if I find anything that seems reasonable, I'll get back to you.

Try KEH, unless you find something at www.mwclassic.com, www.leicashop.com or www.collectcamera.com that seems good.

 

[Mablo]

Shimoda, the guys at www.kamerahuolto.fi in Helsinki are very capable with 'cords and Rolleis in general. I have a Rolleicord V and a Ricoh Diacord L and these guys take good care of them (and all my other cameras as well). They sometimes have used TLRs for sale so you might check up that too. I like to buy from them b/c they always CLA the camera before putting it for sale AND they give you 6 months guarantee.

And welcome to the forum 😉

 

[shimoda]

Jerevan and Mablo.
Thanks for your links to the shops. There are more cameradealers than you would imagine.
I will keep you informed what happens.

r

 

[ERV]

For what it is worth, I bought a Rolleicord V this week on ebay for $195.00 from person in Canada who had a positive history of selling flex's and cords.
It is in great condition and appears to work fine. I am sending it off for a CLA this weekend to prepare it for its next 50 years.

 

[ZeissFan]

It's not that uncommon for the slow speeds to behave differently on M and X.

I've noticed that slow speeds often will work on M but will stutter on X. It has something to do with the position of the flash synchronization lever inside the shutter.

This also is a sign that the shutter should be serviced. Luckily, it's a very simple job. Well, it's simple if you're comfortable with using tools.

 

[shimoda]

I ordered a Rolleicord IV from KEH 2 days ago. Hopefully it will be in better condition.

r