Little specks inside Rolleiflex 3.5F's taking lens, is it cause for concern?

[Acidic_Lemon]

I sent the 3.5F off to Harry Fleenor (the full works & maxwell screen) and the automat (with Xenar lens) to Mark Hansen. These 2 will be my primary users when they come back. I am especially fond of my automat as I had ran 2 rolls through the automat and like the results. Didn't have time to use the 1st roll on the 3.5F with my travelling schedule, hope it will wow me when it comes back from Harry Fleenor.

I found a really cheap rolleiflex automat with tessar (less than usd100 inclusive of shipping- Model K4) to meddle around with. The seller said it is functioning at all shutter speeds and focusing correctly BUT exterior is really bad and leatherette is peeling all over the place (ugly, beyond ugly condition and simply no heart break). I might check and see if it is worth doing a CLA AFTER my 2 other rolleis come back to me. No way I am doing without a rolleiflex for that long.

Has anyone got a really bad condition rolleiflex to just "dissect"? I thought of doing that with the tessar as it is already in a bad exterior condition and keep or spare parts for my Xenar automat.

 

[Dan Daniel]

New leather is easy. If the mechanics are fine, just recover and go on your way.

The problem with collecting beater Rolleis is that the design was changing every other week in the '50s, or so it seems. At least the exterior design. Mechanics seems more constant, changing slower. but sure, collect away! I always assume that the first time I go into a camera model that I am doing an autopsy or dissection, not a repair job anyway. Be ready with an old shoe box and small jars or film canisters to collect the parts. And watch for little springs- more than you might think, and they have a mind of their own at times.

 

[Acidic_Lemon]

New leather is easy. If the mechanics are fine, just recover and go on your way.

The problem with collecting beater Rolleis is that the design was changing every other week in the '50s, or so it seems. At least the exterior design. Mechanics seems more constant, changing slower. but sure, collect away! I always assume that the first time I go into a camera model that I am doing an autopsy or dissection, not a repair job anyway. Be ready with an old shoe box and small jars or film canisters to collect the parts. And watch for little springs- more than you might think, and they have a mind of their own at times.

I downloaded the rolleiflex repair manual to have an idea of how many springs and parts I am going to be expecting inside the beater tessar. It's pretty mind boggling.

Mr Fleenor has received my 3.5F and quoted me for the full CLA and installation of maxwell screen. I have given him the green light to proceed.

 

[JeffL]

Harry Fleenor did a nice job on my 3.5F, and I put a Maxwell screen in. What a huge difference! Very bright and much easier to focus.

 

[Acidic_Lemon]

Harry Fleenor did a nice job on my 3.5F, and I put a Maxwell screen in. What a huge difference! Very bright and much easier to focus.

That's good to know and I am getting the Maxwell plain Hi-Lux screen with a grid installed in the 3.5F. I am certain that Mr Fleenor will do wonders for my 3.5F and I have to be patient.

Kept reminding myself that it's only going to be 10 weeks wait and soon, the rollei will back, ready to be loaded with film.

 

[JeffL]

That's the screen I got. You'll be more that pleased.

 

[skipjack]

I have both Maxwell screens on my Rollei's - makes the Rollei a much more fun/user friendly camera. The difference is significant.