Camera Restoration Advice

[Ash]

I'm going to restore the Rolleiflex 3.5 Automat that's in shoddy condition. (two test rolls later, still having bad luck! one had flare, one shifted during development and the top 5-8mm is contaminated!!)

I need to iron out the dents in the lid so it closes properly - not sure WHICH dent is causing the problem though, and I dont have anything to compare it to (as my 'cord III is significantly simpler).

I was thinking of sanding off all the outer black paint and leaving it shiny silver, but I'm not sure... maybe it'll look a bit OTT. What type of paint/finish should I use on the metal? I'm sure a bunch of you might have repainted a camera or two so you might know.

Hmm also do you think the Vinyl Leatherette will be good enough? I'm not sure I want to splash out on replacement leather just yet. I'm gonna buy from cameraleather.com
I'm thinking the correct method is to remove the old dodgy leather, sand down the surface (to remove all corrosion, consistent adhesion and smooth finish) then carefully apply the replacement (which is self-adhesive).

I also need to replace the screen, but I might spend the $30 on a screen from Rick Olesen rather than get an RB67-type and cut it down - only problem is my paypal account doesnt work!


So any help, tips, pointers, info and alternative methods would be VERY appreciated.

Thanks all

 

[Ash]

Ebay bargain?? will this fit? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120021215416&fromMakeTrack=true

 

[Carrotblog]

Congratulations on taking advice for another 6x6cm TLR!

I was thinking of sanding off all the outer black paint and leaving it shiny silver, but I'm not sure... maybe it'll look a bit OTT. What type of paint/finish should I use on the metal? I'm sure a bunch of you might have repainted a camera or two so you might know.

That's going to be really horrible. Why don't you try cameraleather.com kid? ;P

http://www.cameraleather.com

and the best repair resource on the internet I can find:

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/forum/messages/4/4.html?1136058892

Used this to repair a Mockba!

You'll get some great ideas.

xoxoxo

Miffy

http://carrotblog.livejournal.com

 

[Ash]

Well the paint needs repainting. there's sooo much tarnished metal on show. But I'm buying a leatherette/leather kit from cameraleather for the body. What I meant was the painted areas like the rims 😉

EDIT: Thanks for that link! Just got the Rollei repair manual for free 😀

 

[Carrotblog]

Ash
Well the paint needs repainting. there's sooo much tarnished metal on show. But I'm buying a leatherette/leather kit from cameraleather for the body. What I meant was the painted areas like the rims

EDIT: Thanks for that link! Just got the Rollei repair manual for free

No problem kid! I told ya it was a great resource and not some dippy web URL like this (JOKE! Honest mod. 🙂)

The paint repair is easy. You look like someone who used to build toy planes. Maybe get an enamel jet black gloss paint from those airplane kits. They leave a high gloss finish and is more hard wearing than simple black marker gloss.

xoxoxo

Miffy

http://carrotblog.livejournal.com

 

[Ash]

toy planes? how did you know?? 😀

 

[Carrotblog]

toy planes? how did you know?? 😀

Because I have an annoying little brother? 😀


xoxoxo

Miffy

http://carrotblog.livejournal.com

 

[Ash]

Well lets hope I dont get this camera stuck to my finger with polyester cement..

I'm currently trying to work out WHY the (non-removable) hood grinds and doesnt close properly. It's the most pressing problem and the repair manual is a bit daunting with very few/zero notes

 

[Carrotblog]

http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/rollei_e.htm

Do you mean the hood assembly, the bit above the words 'Rolleiflex'?

- when the hood is unfolded from closed to vertical-open?

The hinge nearest the front top of the camera must have seized. Try a light dab of WD40 to lighten it up.



http://www.stutterheim.nl/rollei/text_pages/rolleiflex_compare.html

http://www.mediajoy.com/en/camerashopper/O_products/hood/2.8kakuhood/index.html

(Sexy MJ hoods for your TLR)


PS - First repairs are always more fun. Better take digipics to remember what you're doing on the way 😉

xoxoxo

Miffy

http://carrotblog.livejournal.com

 

[Ash]

I mean the actual waist level finder hood assembly. I already have a square-shaped Yashica-branded lens hood, and it looks great, and also a less impressive circular lens hood 🙂

I took all the screws out earlier today, and cleaned off the screen - immediate improvement but I need that screen replaced asap.

I just took the screws out again, then somewhat disassembled the hood assembly. A warped piece on one of the side leafs of metal was causing tension. It's reshaped and kinda closes fine. I need to do it in a fast motion or else it jams up again, but that's fine. It feels a lot nicer now!

 

[Carrotblog]

Yes - I thought it was the WLF you were referring to. The metal tension holders get get jammed. They're important to keep the screen in place, no?

I'm sure the rabbit auction site had a few Rollei screens. Someone told me to look up RedLeica RedLeica1 or RedLeica2???) user ID on ebay as they sold screens.

I tried one (cost less than $30. It's blurred it hopelessly difficult to focus but at least its clean. I like the Beattie Intenscreen on my Hasselblad better 😉

Shouldn't be too hard to get.

Seems like you got a user Rollei. It might take a bit of work to bring it back to fuller life.

xoxoxo

Miffy

http://carrotblog.livejournal.com

 

[Ash]

further bad luck.. one of the 4 TINY screws that fit the hood to the top of the camera - DOESNT FIT! 🙁

It's loose fitting and doesnt want to stay secure. this is getting a bit of a joke already..

Any idea on replacement screws? they're hardly a milimeter across

 

[FrankS]

You can get real leather from Aki Asahi from Japan for cheap with a very quick shipping time.

 

[Ash]

I'm not sure Aki Asahi cuts to the correct shape, but I may as well cut myself then! That was plan B, thanks Frank 🙂

 

[FrankS]

I've bought several camera covers from Aki and they have always been perfect fits. Do you mean he doesn't have a cutting die for your particular camera?

 

[Ash]

He doesnt appear to have a cutting die for my rolleiflex - I'm emailing him now

 

[Ash]

For those interested here are a few test shots:

raw neg scans:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/second-belated/Untitled-4_sm.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/second-belated/Untitled-10_sm.jpg

levelled in photoshop:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/second-belated/Untitled-9_edit_sm.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/second-belated/Untitled-2a_sm.jpg


I think focusing is a little off.. not sure if anyone knows how to sort it out???

 

[Bill58]

Join camera-fix@yahoogroups.com; there's a good thread right now about camera painting!

 

[dreilly]

Ash,
If you want I have a not-so-perfectly cut RZ67 screen. There's just one little crack in the corner, where you don't really notice it. Yours for free (well, for shipping) if you want it. The price is right!
doug

 

[FrankS]

A focusing screen update breathes new life into these cameras. Go for it!