Camera Restoration Advice

[Ash]

dreilly, pm'd


I've emailed CameraLeather (aki asahi pointed me in the way of microtools for leatherette, but its pretty pricey - may as well have a custom kit from CL) so I should know whether they have a die to match the camera.

I'll repaint the camera the same time I replace the leatherette, so the old leather comes right off, and the body is stripped and repainted, THEN the new leather and it should look good.

I'm hopefully getting that screen from dreilly - which would be a temporary fix - some point I'll try and sort out a Olesen screen, which is really what I want 🙂

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Hi Ash,
Good luck and congrats for taking on the project!!

The various suggestions re. focussing screens also interest myself.I have a lovely old Rolleicord 1a which came to me from Greyhoundman,which has only one drawback,namely the rather dim screen,even after GMan has cleaned it.

Replacing the screen would as Frank said give the great old TLR a lift,but is that possible,(and if so are the screens easy to get hold of)?I was wondering if anyone might know.

Brian.

 

[Ash]

Brian, the links to new screens are here:
http://www.stutterheim.nl/rollei/text_pages/rolleiflex_userinfo.htm#screens

this is the cheapest bet:
http://www.panum.de/rolleiflex_screen.htm

This is the best bet, for the best money:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-175.html

If you want to go in on ordering two screens from Rick Olesen I'll send you the cash, as I can't use paypal due to this damn dispute still running on!

 

[Ash]

I bought myself one of these for £1 in my local vintage camera shop: http://cgi.ebay.com/FOCUSING-SCREEN...7606703QQihZ010QQcategoryZ30038QQcmdZViewItem

It's the number 6 "checker" mamiya C330 focusing screen. I bought 2, one with a huge crack on the corner, but its ok as a spare. One part is fresnel,cut to a weird shape (JUST long enough to fit into the rolleiflex), and one part is a checkered piece of glass, too small to fit on its own.

I'm considering sorting out a proper sized bracket for the fresnel, but it seems ok as it is (probably shift inside the camera knowing my luck) and it's temporary til I get an Olesen screen, and the screen from dreilly as well.

I was amazed at how much brighter it was. I think its down to the lack of vignetting, the whole image jumps out more.

I just realised though, I probably have a screen I coulda nabbed from the lubitel!

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Brian, the links to new screens are here:
http://www.stutterheim.nl/rollei/text_pages/rolleiflex_userinfo.htm#screens

this is the cheapest bet:
http://www.panum.de/rolleiflex_screen.htm

This is the best bet, for the best money:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-175.html

If you want to go in on ordering two screens from Rick Olesen I'll send you the cash, as I can't use paypal due to this damn dispute still running on!

Ash,
Thanks for the links.Will PM. to you,
Brian.

 

[Ash]

Great 🙂 ... looks like I've got about 4 screens now!

I just looked through the rolleicord in comparison to the rolleiflex... the screen is SO much brighter on the rolleiflex!

I'm surprised at the difference the mamiya screen makes! I'm tempted to fit the second mamiya screen into the rolleicord, but I gotta say the 'cord focuses a lot faster/cleaner with its original screen (no fresnel in the way) even though it is noticeably dimmer.

So now I need to replace the leatherette and I'm halfway there 🙂