Rolleiflex 2.8C Shutter Guard Concern

[OneJohnFourTwelve]

Hello,
I'm about to purchase a Rolleiflex 2.8C that I think is in a very good condition. I'm a little reluctant because of what I've read about the shutter/flash socket locks being prone to breakage. May I ask, will I still be able to lock and unlock the shutter button if the plastic part of the guard fails? I fear it might be near impossible to find a replacement part, what would be the alternatives? I've asked ChatGPT and those AI agents these questions and I could never seem to believe them. I'm hoping for some human touch in my quest for answers that might help in my decision. Thanks!

 

[Freakscene]

Hello,
I'm about to purchase a Rolleiflex 2.8C that I think is in a very good condition. I'm a little reluctant because of what I've read about the shutter/flash socket locks being prone to breakage. May I ask, will I still be able to lock and unlock the shutter button if the plastic part of the guard fails? I fear it might be near impossible to find a replacement part, what would be the alternatives? I've asked ChatGPT and those AI agents these questions and I could never seem to believe them. I'm hoping for some human touch in my quest for answers that might help in my decision. Thanks!

My user* Rollei is a 2.8C with the Xenotar and 10 blade shutter. The metal parts from other Rolleis can be fitted to the 2.8C. If the plastic fails you can unlock the shutter with pliers. I never locked the shutter button and just put the camera away without winding on/cocking the shutter.

*I used it a lot in the 2000s but haven’t run a film through it in over 10 years.

 

[monopix]

I had a 2.8c which, before I acquired it, had been dropped and misused. The plastic parts were good. I rebuilt the camera and used it for years without any issues. I think you're worrying too much.

 

[OneJohnFourTwelve]

@Freakscene and @monopix, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Viewed the camera today, and I've decided not to get it. There were a couple of very noticeable particles inside the lens, and what looked like rust on the aperture blades. For the price ($1200), I thought I should not have to get it CLA'd. My search continues.

 

[OneJohnFourTwelve]

Hello, good people of this forum. I've had a 2.8f for a day now, and I noticed that when I have the shutter speed set to 60 sec, the aperture can only go as wide as f16. And when I'm at f2.8, I can only set the shutter speed as slow as 2 sec. I'm getting mixed replies from AI agents, one says it is a feature in earlier assemblies of the 2.8f, another says it is a mechanical defect. What say the good people of this forum? Many thanks!

 

[monopix]

Hello, good people of this forum. I've had a 2.8f for a day now, and I noticed that when I have the shutter speed set to 60 sec, the aperture can only go as wide as f16. And when I'm at f2.8, I can only set the shutter speed as slow as 2 sec. I'm getting mixed replies from AI agents, one says it is a feature in earlier assemblies of the 2.8f, another says it is a mechanical defect. What say the good people of this forum? Many thanks!

Have you read the manual?

https://www.cameramanuals.org/rolleiflex/rolleiflex_2_8f.pdf

 

[OneJohnFourTwelve]

Thanks! I've checked, but I could not find any mention of aperture limitation when using slower shutter speeds (i.e. 60 sec). It does mention that I can use f2.8 via manually controlled time exposure with the shutter speed set to 2 sec (and locking the shutter after pressing). Would be great if someone who has a 2.8f to confirm that the an f16 max aperture limitation when shutter speed is set to 60 sec is by design.

 

[Merlijn53]

It’s probably limited by the lightmeter. You cannot go beyond the scale.
But why would you want to use those settings? The shutter does not go beyond 1 sec and the lightmeter cannot meter this amount of light.

 

[OneJohnFourTwelve]

It’s probably limited by the lightmeter. You cannot go beyond the scale.
But why would you want to use those settings? The shutter does not go beyond 1 sec and the lightmeter cannot meter this amount of light.

Hi, thanks! I think there are use cases where those settings would come in handy.