Rollei 35 Tessar lens repair question

[Jonathan R]

I've posted about this before, in other forums, but not resolved it.

The focus ring on my Rollei 35 Tessar turns too easily, so that it loses position at the slightest touch. Several people have told me that - at least on the Sonnar lens - the plastic surround to the front lens element is simply glued in place, and can be popped off, revealing two screws. That doesn't seem to be the case on the Tessar, where according to Rollei's exploded diagram of the lens, the front part is a cone which includes the filter thread, and is presumably therefore pretty well attached.

I've tried prying gently in likely places, but I love this little camera and don't want to bust it. Equally, I don't want to entrust it to any repairer who doesn't know what they're doing.

So, please can anyone show me in pictures how to dismantle the front of this lens and tighten up that front cell?

 

[sebastel]

no idea how to tighten it up, but on the tessar, there also is a glued-on decorative ring (looks like a wide thin plastic washer), which hides three screws.

the repair manual available online is quite helpful in figuring out, and also contains hints on how to proceed when taking apart. (and reassembling, of course)

 

[Jonathan R]

Hmm, yes, I do have that service manual. I'm not particularly stupid, but I have to say it didn't help me much!

 

[Fixcinater]

There is a flat, black plastic trim ring that pops off (if you look very closely you'll see a little hole where you can get started with prying on it), lightly glued down.

Once you remove that trim ring, there are 3 flat-head screws on what is now the front panel. There are two separate rings that get held together by the screws and allow you to adjust infinity (and therefore the rest of the range of focus) vs the focus scale you see around the periphery of what focuses.

Under that is the bare front element housing and a piece of metal around that, it clips into a groove around the front element, which acts as the infinity and close focus stops. Where it is, in relation to the front element housing is your calibrated infinity focus so be wary and take photos/mark where it is so you don't throw off focus.

You can either pop the infinity stop piece of metal out, or hold it in place while rotating the front element out, this process will give you the helical threads and you can clean/replace the grease. It's best if you have a ground glass you can put into position on the film plane to ensure you get infinity correct when you go to re-assemble.

 

[Jonathan R]

@Fixcinater: thanks so much, that's what I needed. I found the little hole and popped the ring out at last with little trouble.

So now I'll study the service manual again alongside your very clear description and get started. It sounds as though you imagine the loose focus is just a matter of re-greasing the threads?

 

[Fixcinater]

100%. Just make sure that you use grease that won't separate, I'll leave it to you to do the research and choose according to your location and budget.

I've had several of these cameras, both Tessar and Sonnar lensed models, with "dry" focus feel, or skips somewhere in the focus and new grease always solves this.

After servicing a bunch of them, I have more respect for the camera in general and the engineers. If only I could shoot at f/2.8 without a rangefinder!

 

[Jonathan R]

Thanks again.

I think the design of these cameras was quite brilliant. I do have a Leica too, because of that focus at wide aperture problem, but I've had some of my best shots with the Rollei. The Tessar lens is pin sharp.

 

[sebastel]

sorry i could not help better.

 

[Jonathan R]

@Sebastel, your reply much appreciated in any case! It's only chance that I had already seen that repair manual.