Of Family and the Rolleiflex

[KoNickon]

About the meter -- I sent my 2.8F to Krikor Maralian late last year. The meter worked, but was off by a couple of stops. At first he said that there were no parts, but then he replaced the meter cell and all is working correctly. I think the meter itself (i.e. the apparatus on the focusing knob) is very hard to find parts for nowadays, so depending on what's wrong you may be out of luck. If you want it removed, he can do that for you, and he will install a flat plate (like the top of a film canister). If you just want to replace the clear plastic cover, those seem to be readily available on eBay and elsewhere.

Great to hear the encouraging news about your father-in-law. I think you should send the camera off for repair, to Krikor or wherever. Your father-in-law will like to hear that the Rollei is getting a new lease on life, just as he is!

 

[Argenticien]

Update: I finally got around to shipping the Rolleiflex off to Essex Camera for a CLA and more. An estimate got back to me in 9 days (yeah, by snail mail!), and the camera arrived home today after another 10 days. (That's time for my check to snail-mail up there + time to do the repair + time for the camera to get back to me.) Very fast considering all the snail-mailing!

Anyway, they got the film advance much smoother (I've wound a junk roll through it so far). They fixed the hinge pin and the door latch pin (both discussed and shown above), so no more flyaway door! The slow speeds now match (by ear) those of my modern electronic-shutter DSLR. They got the self-timer running. And of course everything is clean. So all in all, quite a job.

They estimated an additional USD 150 to fix the meter, and I'm not totally flush with cash, so I declined on that. It's a lot of money for an uncoupled meter, and what I should have mentioned too is that Dad's kit also included a working Weston Master II (as well as the AE-1 program shown here!). So I think I'll have my metering fun with the Weston if I feel the need.

Interestingly, Essex put a screw through the black circular panel of the broken existing meter, above the cracked window. This seems to have the meter firmly in place, whereas it was somewhat loose and rattling before. I think they are trying to prevent it completely falling out between now and any potential future repair/replacement.

Needless to say, I can't wait to go out and shoot with the rejuvenated 'flex!

--Dave

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Dave-

congrats on the restored camera! I've got an E1 (I think it's a 1) and have been loving it. Just added a 2.8C as a backup (it's a whole other story, for another day). If you don't mind my asking, how much did your repair service run for everything you had done?

 

[mfogiel]

I have about 30 first class film cameras. This includes Leicas, Hasselblads, Contax 645 Pentax 645 and 67, Nikons F2,F3,FM3A, F100, Zeiss Ikons, etc, plus about a hundred first class lenses. I shoot B&W exclusively.
If I had to choose only the very best, I would probably end up with a Leica M7 and the Rolleiflex 2.8F.
The Rolleiflex has some intangible appeal as an object, but above all, it is an incredible tool for B&W photography - parfticularly the 2.8 models, because the lens is less contrasty, and has better bokeh. My late father, has been using this type of camera through most of his professional life as a photo reporter, and whenever I have it in my hand, I know there is scarcely a better tool for B&W. Look up Avedon, Penn, Bishoff, Doisenau or our fellow RFF member Sanders Mc New.
You should give the camera a complete overhaul. Forget about the meter, because it is useless, get a hand meter, and above all get a Maxwell screen.
Honor the man who gave you this camera and honor the great Rolleiflex - use it...

 

[Argenticien]

@TheFlyingCamera: Thanks for reminding me; I've just posted the cost over on the "Current Rolleiflex CLA Cost?" sticky thread for posterity. It was USD 186. They did not do the meter, as I said, and ...

@mfogiel: Thank you for mentioning the screen. I elected to do nothing about that either, because I don't find it tragically dim. I'm going to shoot with it for awhile the way it is, to get a baseline if nothing else. I must admit I have some 'sticker shock' regarding Maxwell screen prices. If I do decide to replace the screen, I'll need to save my pennies for awhile before going Maxwell, or else go Oleson.

--Dave

 

[splitimageview]

Wonderful story.

I have a Ricohflex that my Dad bought in Japan in the early fifties. He gave it to me last year. It's no Rollei, but it's even better: it was my dad's. I will always treasure it. He passed last month. Here is a self portrait he shot in Japan, 1951.


Scan001 by restoration35, on Flickr

 

[Argenticien]

@digitalintrigue: Not that the Ricohflex is any slouch anyway, but I'd rather have an old camera of any kind with a family story, than an old fancy camera anonymously bought off eBay. Well, I don't totally know whereof I speak, since my father-in-law's Rolleiflex with a family story is probably also the most fancy camera I have. (Nothing else worth more than about $300, from eBay or elsewhere, and no Leicas.)

I'm assuming that selfie of your dad is on Kodachrome(?). It is RIDICULOUS how timeless and archival that stuff is. That 61-year-old picture looks like it's new! (In terms of state of preservation and color, I mean; obviously his aviator look appears consistent with the 1951 date you mentioned, when he was serving.) Now we know why they provide self-timers even on TLRs...

BTW, great job (to my layman's eyes) of editing out the scooter or whatever that was.

--Dave

 

[Argenticien]

CORRECTION! Meter works!

CORRECTION! Meter works!

Please everyone laugh at me: A couple of days ago when I posted that I got the camera back from Essex, I mentioned that I had foregone the meter repair. Given that, and given that it was night when I got home and found the camera on my doorstep, I did not even bother to try the meter. Today, I picked up the camera, and as I did, I happened to sweep past an open window (with overcast late afternoon outside). I noticed that the meter needle moved, and not semi-randomly like before the CLA. So I then proceeded to test it against my modern Sekonic L-208, and in various lighting situations, it matched within one-half EV! I guess Essex took my "do not do the USD 150 meter fix" instruction to mean only that they should not replace the cracked meter window, but evidently they still considered it their job to fix the meter's functionality. And looking more closely at it, I think they also cleaned some cloudiness and dust out of the cracked meter window. I am stunned at this; additional major kudos to Essex for such a re-animation job, all within a USD 186 cost. (And I suppose also to F&H, for all those years ago having built in a meter that could survive an impact at some time unknown, and then be salvaged at age 55ish.)

--Dave

 

[Photo_Smith]

What a wonderful story, I'm glad to hear your Father in law is recovering, it makes the camera very special to be owned by family members.
I own both a 3,5F and and a T and I love them, probably my favourite camera of all time, Can I suggest you buy a Rolleinar close up lens if you save your pennies–it addresses the Rollei's main shortcoming it's close focus:
Here is an image of my son with a Rolleinar II

Life is too short not to have owned a Rolleiflex.

Have fun!

 

[Argenticien]

My father-in-law just got his first follow-up scan after having the cancer removed about eight months ago. All clear! And I continue shooting with the 'flex, so, best of both worlds: Dad doing well; camera out of his cupboard after a long sleep, repaired, and now being appreciated and used.
--Dave

 

[Skiff]

My father-in-law just got his first follow-up scan after having the cancer removed about eight months ago. All clear! And I continue shooting with the 'flex, so, best of both worlds: Dad doing well; camera out of his cupboard after a long sleep, repaired, and now being appreciated and used.
--Dave

Very nice to hear!!
All the best to you and your family, especially your father-in-law, and happy shooting with the Rolleiflex!

 

[oftheherd]

My father-in-law just got his first follow-up scan after having the cancer removed about eight months ago. All clear! And I continue shooting with the 'flex, so, best of both worlds: Dad doing well; camera out of his cupboard after a long sleep, repaired, and now being appreciated and used.
--Dave

Wonderful news! Best of both worlds for sure.