schwalbewurger
Newbie
Hello everyone,
This is my first time posting on RFF, although I have read many articles and threads on this forums before. Anyway I am a student who just received his grandparent's cameras, including a Rollei 35S. When I received it firstly I tested the shutter speeds and all shutter speeds seems to be quite accurate (based on my young knowledge on analogue cameras), except the 1/2 second might be a bit long (although it now sounds more accurate, probably due to exercise).
Anyway, I checked on other parts of the camera and finally noticed a few problems:
1. Viewfinder is hazy
2. Sonnar lens is contaminated with fungus (I live in a very tropical country)
3. Filter is stuck on lens (with fungus and haze on the other side of the filter!
4. Light meter probably not working
5. (Just discovered this a few days ago) When the film advance is cocked, I can't move the shutter dial from 1/60 to 1/125, except after shutter is fired, then I can move the shutter speed past 1/125.
6. (Just discovered yesterday) The orange needle on the light meter display moves as I move the shutter speed or aperture even though there are no batteries installed-Is this a normal operation of the camera?
7. Lens has a slight wobble when in process of extending, but when extended and locked, it is secure. Is this normal?
So I'm here to ask you guys for repair-techs capable of fixing the Rollei 35S (I'm looking for someone who's experienced with these things). I know that there are some threads discussing about Rollei 35 Repairs, however I live in Indonesia (shipping out is very expensive) and would like to know other alternatives besides Harry Fleenor on the West and Krimar Photo on the East.
I've contacted Mr. Harry Fleenor and asked if he could repair my Rollei. His reply was that he could do the usual shutter overhaul and replace my cloudy viewfinder, however cleaning the lens from fungus is not possible, even after he contacted Mr. John from Focal Point on cleaning fungus on the Rollei's lens (as he said the lens was too small for the machine). Can fungus be cleaned? Or is it better to get a new Sonnar lens replacement?
Here are the list of repair persons I have researched and compiled through the web:
1. Harry Fleenor (Oceanside Camera Repairs)
2. Krikor Maralian (Krimar Photo, NJ)
3. DHW Fototechik Repair (previous producer of Rollei Classics) (Braunschweig, Germany)
4. Papeke Fototechnik (DHW Service Partner, Duesseldorf, Germany)
5. Wiese Fototechnik (DHW Service Partner, Hamburg, Germany)
6. Claudio Fabio (Classic Camera Repair, Oberrieden, Swiss)
Do you guys have any experience on these services? I'm looking for one with a relatively short repair turnaround time (although repair quality is priority). Feel free to add more Rollei 35S service technicians suggestions here.
I know that you guys might be thinking why not buy another used Rollei 35S because it is more economical, but my mind is set on fixing this Rollei 35S because it is the most used camera by both of my grandparents (first by my grandfather and continued by my grandmother) and has a sentimental value for me. (I don't know about you guys, but I like the feeling of continuing to use a camera that someone related have used rather than using another stranger's camera that was bought used).
I have always wanted my grandparent's cameras for display (I like old, antique objects
) and when they gave some of their cameras, I was very surprised, I didn't know that old cameras have advance rewind levers! Since then I've been 'hooked' to film cameras, they looked much cooler than digital cameras ! However whenever I want to use the camera, there are always hindrance (such as when I lost the Pentax Spotmatic's rewind crank at the airport ready for departure), and many more. So my film journey have been stuttered and really hope that I could fix this little camera before school year starts again.
Sorry for the long post, as I want to make sure this camera gets right after all my previous 'delays' in film journey (and my first post at RFF)
Will post some pics from the first roll here if the results come out salvageable (hopefully) ).
Thank You very much,
schwalbewurger
This is my first time posting on RFF, although I have read many articles and threads on this forums before. Anyway I am a student who just received his grandparent's cameras, including a Rollei 35S. When I received it firstly I tested the shutter speeds and all shutter speeds seems to be quite accurate (based on my young knowledge on analogue cameras), except the 1/2 second might be a bit long (although it now sounds more accurate, probably due to exercise).
Anyway, I checked on other parts of the camera and finally noticed a few problems:
1. Viewfinder is hazy
2. Sonnar lens is contaminated with fungus (I live in a very tropical country)
3. Filter is stuck on lens (with fungus and haze on the other side of the filter!
4. Light meter probably not working
5. (Just discovered this a few days ago) When the film advance is cocked, I can't move the shutter dial from 1/60 to 1/125, except after shutter is fired, then I can move the shutter speed past 1/125.
6. (Just discovered yesterday) The orange needle on the light meter display moves as I move the shutter speed or aperture even though there are no batteries installed-Is this a normal operation of the camera?
7. Lens has a slight wobble when in process of extending, but when extended and locked, it is secure. Is this normal?
So I'm here to ask you guys for repair-techs capable of fixing the Rollei 35S (I'm looking for someone who's experienced with these things). I know that there are some threads discussing about Rollei 35 Repairs, however I live in Indonesia (shipping out is very expensive) and would like to know other alternatives besides Harry Fleenor on the West and Krimar Photo on the East.
I've contacted Mr. Harry Fleenor and asked if he could repair my Rollei. His reply was that he could do the usual shutter overhaul and replace my cloudy viewfinder, however cleaning the lens from fungus is not possible, even after he contacted Mr. John from Focal Point on cleaning fungus on the Rollei's lens (as he said the lens was too small for the machine). Can fungus be cleaned? Or is it better to get a new Sonnar lens replacement?
Here are the list of repair persons I have researched and compiled through the web:
1. Harry Fleenor (Oceanside Camera Repairs)
2. Krikor Maralian (Krimar Photo, NJ)
3. DHW Fototechik Repair (previous producer of Rollei Classics) (Braunschweig, Germany)
4. Papeke Fototechnik (DHW Service Partner, Duesseldorf, Germany)
5. Wiese Fototechnik (DHW Service Partner, Hamburg, Germany)
6. Claudio Fabio (Classic Camera Repair, Oberrieden, Swiss)
Do you guys have any experience on these services? I'm looking for one with a relatively short repair turnaround time (although repair quality is priority). Feel free to add more Rollei 35S service technicians suggestions here.
I know that you guys might be thinking why not buy another used Rollei 35S because it is more economical, but my mind is set on fixing this Rollei 35S because it is the most used camera by both of my grandparents (first by my grandfather and continued by my grandmother) and has a sentimental value for me. (I don't know about you guys, but I like the feeling of continuing to use a camera that someone related have used rather than using another stranger's camera that was bought used).
I have always wanted my grandparent's cameras for display (I like old, antique objects
) and when they gave some of their cameras, I was very surprised, I didn't know that old cameras have advance rewind levers! Since then I've been 'hooked' to film cameras, they looked much cooler than digital cameras ! However whenever I want to use the camera, there are always hindrance (such as when I lost the Pentax Spotmatic's rewind crank at the airport ready for departure), and many more. So my film journey have been stuttered and really hope that I could fix this little camera before school year starts again.Sorry for the long post, as I want to make sure this camera gets right after all my previous 'delays' in film journey (and my first post at RFF)
Will post some pics from the first roll here if the results come out salvageable (hopefully
) ).Thank You very much,
schwalbewurger
Attachments
FrankS
Registered User
Welcome to RFF. I responded to your post on apug.
whitecat
Lone Range(find)er
I recommedn Krikor. He used to work for Rolleiflex and has done work on a few cameras for me.
jbrubaker
Established
I sounds to me like you should just purchase a different Rollei 35 in better condition! Probably less cost in the long run. regards ---john
FrankS
Registered User
Sentimental value John.
Ranchu
Veteran
Buy a working one, switch the top, bottom, door, etc. Or keep it in a sentimental box.
john_s
Well-known
I think it would be a very big job to try to repair it. Unless the sentimental value is very high indeed I would consider it beyond repair. Spare parts for these cameras are generally unavailable.
nongfuspring
Well-known
I think it's actually really great you want this camera repaired, if the sentimental value is there then you should do it. The Rollei 35S is maybe the ultimate everyday manual film camera, one you can take everywhere and depend on for a long time (so long as it doesn't get knocked hard).
Unlike what John said spare parts for the Rollei 35S are common and the cameras themselves were made in large numbers, the issue is finding a repairman. I wouldn't be surprised if there is one in Indonesia, but if not to add to your list then I know Kanto services them in Japan (I imagine they'll be expensive) and it may be worth getting in touch with sunrisephoto in HK - if they can't repair them then they ought to know of someone in HK that will. I also know of shops in Taipei that would likely service them (and probably for reasonably cheap) but you'll need to type to them in Chinese - if you can then I can look them up for you. If you need to source your own replacement lens (assuming everything else just needs a CLA) I've seen a few NOS for sale on ebay.de for around 50 USD.
Otherwise Ranchu's suggestion is the only other option.
Unlike what John said spare parts for the Rollei 35S are common and the cameras themselves were made in large numbers, the issue is finding a repairman. I wouldn't be surprised if there is one in Indonesia, but if not to add to your list then I know Kanto services them in Japan (I imagine they'll be expensive) and it may be worth getting in touch with sunrisephoto in HK - if they can't repair them then they ought to know of someone in HK that will. I also know of shops in Taipei that would likely service them (and probably for reasonably cheap) but you'll need to type to them in Chinese - if you can then I can look them up for you. If you need to source your own replacement lens (assuming everything else just needs a CLA) I've seen a few NOS for sale on ebay.de for around 50 USD.
Otherwise Ranchu's suggestion is the only other option.
Dwig
Well-known
Actually, it sound like this camera will need to undergo a "restoration" rather than a simple repair.
Fungus damage to lenses can't be repaired. The existing fungus can be removed and if it is completely removed from everywhere (all lubricants, all leather coverings, ...) from the complete camera and any and all cases and boxes it won't come back. But removing the fungus from the glass will still leave the damage to the coatings and the glass itself that resulted from the fungus' waste products. This etching is permanent.
Fungus damage to lenses can't be repaired. The existing fungus can be removed and if it is completely removed from everywhere (all lubricants, all leather coverings, ...) from the complete camera and any and all cases and boxes it won't come back. But removing the fungus from the glass will still leave the damage to the coatings and the glass itself that resulted from the fungus' waste products. This etching is permanent.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
After having, fixing and using of two Rollei 35 I would say all seven points aren't so big as they might seems.
Where are 1 to 5 actually, with 6 and 7 to be norm.
My respect for keeping and using family cameras within family.
And good luck with choosing right service for repairs.
Cheers, Ko.
Where are 1 to 5 actually, with 6 and 7 to be norm.
My respect for keeping and using family cameras within family.
And good luck with choosing right service for repairs.
Cheers, Ko.
john_s
Well-known
I based my pessimistic comment about parts on my experience in trying to source the meter electronics for my 35SE which I know is a different camera. It's not the only piece of Rollei equipment I have that is unrepairable (but of course if the budget is high enough everything is repairable). My grumpy old man view of Rollei is that they were superb at mechanicals but the early days of electronics were fraught. However, my all time favorite camera is my Rollei SL66.
nongfuspring
Well-known
My only experience trying to find parts have been mechanical, so you might be right about the metering electronics. That said, I would imagine that most if not all of the components in the meter can be bought right off the shelf at a decent electronics store. When/if my 35SE meter gives out I'm hoping to use the opportunity to modify it for non-mercury batteries.
I agree, it's a real pity about those electronic SLRs, aside from the poor reliability they were interesting cameras.