This is going to sound REALLY stupid...

M

Merkin

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I used to have a seagull TLR, and I wrecked the shutter by changing the shutter speed after I had cranked the shutter. Apparently, it is a big no-no for seagulls. I have a rolleiflex on the way, and even though it is a really dumb question, I wanted to make absolutely certain of the following: Does it matter when I adjust the shutter speed in relation to when I have cranked the camera on a rolleiflex?
 
I can't speak for the other models, but on the '37-'39 Automat it seems to be OK to change the speed after cranking (but the 1/500 speed is very difficult to select as an extra spring is involved - better to select it before cocking the shutter).
 
It is camera dependent. For example, on a Rolleiflex 2.8C, the shutter cannot be changed from 250 to 500, or from 500 to 250 after the shutter has been cocked. On the 2.8E, the setting can be changed with no problem. I would find the manual for the particular model you have and see what it says.
 
I never knew this about these MF cameras ! I took it for granted to be able to switch away between speeds, you learn everyday huh ?
 
It is a 2.8d, and I read through the manual, but saw no mention either way. Hence, I figure it will be fine.
 
A good rule is to never change shutter speeds once you have advanced the shutter except for screw Leicas.
 
Merkin said:
It is a 2.8d, and I read through the manual, but saw no mention either way. Hence, I figure it will be fine.
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I have a 2.8D and never had a problem. I don't think you aren't supposed to change at higher speeds I think it's the additional spring that tensions the shutter at those speeds that makes it more difficult. Compur shutters are much more difficult to cock at 1/500 vs lower speeds due the extra spring tension. It's even difficult to. Hangs speeds on view lenses that have compur shutters when set to 1/500 and cocked.
 
Merkin the 2.8D shutter is a modified Synchro Compur and it has no booster spring for 1/500. You can select any of the speeds before or after the shutter is cocked. The 2.8C model (and earlier I presume) although having Synchro Compur on the front is a Compur Rapid type with an extra booster spring for the maximum speed. With this type 1/500 must not be selected (or, de-selected) after the shutter has been cocked. The self timer cannot be used in conjunction with the 1/500 speed either as it jams the shutter. These restrictions don't apply to the 2.8D model.

And it is not a stupid question at all, it is actually a really appropriate question, because you can break the spring of the older shutters if you use them incorrectly. Congratulations on the 2.8D, I reckon they are the prettiest Rolleiflex of them all.
Regards,
Brett
 
Sarcophilus Harrisii said:
Merkin the 2.8D shutter is a modified Synchro Compur and it has no booster spring for 1/500. You can select any of the speeds before or after the shutter is cocked. The 2.8C model (and earlier I presume) although having Synchro Compur on the front is a Compur Rapid type with an extra booster spring for the maximum speed. With this type 1/500 must not be selected (or, de-selected) after the shutter has been cocked. The self timer cannot be used in conjunction with the 1/500 speed either as it jams the shutter. These restrictions don't apply to the 2.8D model.

And it is not a stupid question at all, it is actually a really appropriate question, because you can break the spring of the older shutters if you use them incorrectly. Congratulations on the 2.8D, I reckon they are the prettiest Rolleiflex of them all.
Regards,
Brett
Click to expand...

Thanks for the super in depth answer!

(Of course, thanks to everyone else as well. Super helpful all.)

You seem to be a pretty knowledgeable bunch when it comes to 'flexes, so allow me, if you will, to ask a brief and unrelated follow up question: Does anyone make rolleiflex ever-ready cases to order, or do i just have to wait until i find one from the mid fifties and hope it is still useable?
 
Merkin said:
Thanks for the super in depth answer!

(Of course, thanks to everyone else as well. Super helpful all.)

You seem to be a pretty knowledgeable bunch when it comes to 'flexes, so allow me, if you will, to ask a brief and unrelated follow up question: Does anyone make rolleiflex ever-ready cases to order, or do i just have to wait until i find one from the mid fifties and hope it is still useable?
Click to expand...
KOH's camera in New York, KEH, and Peter Loy in the UK are all places worth keeping an eye on for decent genuine cases at not-too-unreasonable prices. Although ebay can be a source of bargains from time to time, most of the ever ready cases on offer there from traders seem to be buy it now at less than bargain prices, (and carrying the usual ebay baggage as well in terms of description matching condition etc.)

Regards
Brett
 
Merkin said:
Does anyone make rolleiflex ever-ready cases to order, or do i just have to wait until i find one from the mid fifties and hope it is still useable?
Click to expand...

Still usable?? This implies that they were actually useful at some point in time!

🙂

To be helpful, I will say that you should NOT trust the leather strap on an old Rolleiflex case. If you find one and are going to use it, have the strap replaced right away. The leather will be old and dried and will decide to break when you least expect it and are standing on concrete.
 
Same goes for YashicaMats,it bounced once on the rock sidewalk and had me finding tools in a foreign country to repair it,just one day after my wife's camera
bounced from another sidewalk,it never rains unless it pours.
Regards,Peter
 
They should have put warnings of those TLR, folders, Mamiya Super 23, Hassys, 4x5 lenses, etc. I have heard that you should not do that but never have experienced it. And I have/had plenty of shutters like yours. I'm sorry it happened.
 
Dan95 said:
What about Ms ?
Click to expand...

It's perfectly fine to change the shutter speed after the shutter has been cocked on all Leicas. The slow speed gear train is under lower tension and can be changed no problem. The high speeds only adjust the timing for width of the slit not the shutter speed itself so tension remains the same from 1/50 second all the way up to 1/1000. Regardless of the speed selected on any Leica, curtain travel speed is constant so the tension on the shutter is more or less the same in spite of indicated speed.

On a leaf shutter, the speeds are all uniquely governed and tension increases with speed.

Phil Forrest
 
I had a Rolleiflex T and never experienced this kind of problem. I always transported the film (=cocked the shutter) after exposure, so the shutter speed for the next shot would get adjusted once the shutter was cocked.
 
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