How to store my Rolleiflex

[ChrisProls]

Hi,


I didn't find much answer on the forum so here I am with my question. If the answer is already out there, please let me know. I'll be happy looking where you point 😉

The question is :
- how to store properly my Rolleiflex ?
- how to put the springs in a rest position ?
- what should I be careful with when putting at storage ?

I understand keeping it at light (but not too much) is good (fungus prevention)
I understand keeping it in a dry environment is good (fungus prevention)
I understand keeping it in a not too dry environment is good (prevent the grease from drying)
I understand taking it out of its leather housing is good (keep fungus away)
In the case of a camera with a film inside : I understand keeping the camera not armed yet is good (then when you load it to take a picture, it will be nicely tensioned)
In the case of a camera with no film inside : I understand ... well I have no idea if it's better armed or not ?!

... I heard keeping it in f/22 and bulb is good (keep springs at rest). Can you confirm ?
For the question on the bulb position, it's a double question : is it better on bulb position or at 1/500s position ? and if it is bulb, should is be just bulb or place it on bulb, arm the Rollei, shoot and lock in opened bulb position ? (obviously this question is valid for a camera with no film loaded. if there is a film inside, I won't let the bulb opened to burn my film for many months)


For more information : I own a Rolleiflex T. If your answer are for this particular model, I'd be super-happy.
If you have information on other versions/type, let's report everything here.


Chris ... Prols.

 

[FrankS]

A second/auxiliary spring is tensioned to provide the necessary force to achieve 1/500 sec.

Spring steel probably does not fatigue under tension, but my gut says to leave the shutter uncocked when stored for a length of time.

 

[Gumby]

Store it uncocked, because you can do that easily, and don't fret over what shutter setting it is stored on. Except for the 1/500, per FrankS' post. Dry storage condition is most important.

 

[jbielikowski]

man, just keep it close to you, so it gonna be ready whenever you need.

 

[Dirk]

Don't store it for long. Rolleiflexes are made to be used regularly. If not used for too long, the grease starts to dry up and it'll gum up the works.

 

[raid]

I have done nothing special in storing my Rolleflex cameras for the past 15-20 years, except for using a cylinder filled with silica gel to reduce humidity. I never use 1/500 sec speed, and I do not store the cameras in any special setting. So far, so good. I keep one TLR always ready for use in a small camera bag, with 120 film and a spotmeter.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

man, just keep it close to you, so it gonna be ready whenever you need.

I think I can relate to this response the best...

Frank, do the Ts have the older type Compur Rapid based Synchros with the booster spring? I have a 2.8C with that kind of shutter, but I thought the Ts were new enough to have the linear speed scale and later shutter with just the main spring. Perhaps I'm mistaken?
Merry Christmas all.
Regards,
Brett

 

[FrankS]

I think I can relate to this response the best...

Frank, do the Ts have the older type Compur Rapid based Synchros with the booster spring? I have a 2.8C with that kind of shutter, but I thought the Ts were new enough to have the linear speed scale and later shutter with just the main spring. Perhaps I'm mistaken?
Merry Christmas all.
Regards,
Brett

Sorry, that degree of detail is beyond me.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Sorry, that degree of detail is beyond me.

You might be able to tell by the force required to move to 1/500. And if it possible to move to 1/500 or away from it with the shutter cocked. On the older models with booster spring, this is difficult or simply not doable (DO NOT force!).

Storing the shutter un-cocked and at 1 second will place the least tension on both the main spring and the escapement springs. Being under tension is not harmful to a shutter, though. Hassleblad lenses, for example, are stored with the shutter cocked.

Out of its case, a small space that allows for a bit of circulation to avoid fungus and such at least on the leather), some dessicant that is replenished regularly in some environments (moist)... hey, wait a minute! What's the point of owning a Rolleiflex if you plan to store it, eh? Use it!

Oh, by the way, I don't see 'too dry' as being detrimental per se. Grease isn't water-based, so low humidity won't accelerate evaporation of the solvents in grease or oils. Heat will cause the solvents to evaporate. I guess dry air will hurt leather?