sanmich
Veteran
I am now trying my second Rollei 35 (a 35T, had an S a few years ago), and again, I get uneven frame spacing, sometimes to the point of frames touching each other.
It drives me nuts because of scanning, cutting etc.
Is there a way to DIY-fix this?
Will a CLA make this better?
Is there a way to work the camera without getting these? maybe advancing the film in a special way?
Thanks!
It drives me nuts because of scanning, cutting etc.
Is there a way to DIY-fix this?
Will a CLA make this better?
Is there a way to work the camera without getting these? maybe advancing the film in a special way?
Thanks!
Highway 61
Revisited
Well known problem due to the upper end of the film sprockets shaft having got bent. The remedy: tear down of the camera, repair at this point or replacement with an intact part. Those of the early Germany cameras were more robust.
sanmich
Veteran
Thanks,
I'm not sure I get it: the upper and lower sprockets seem in line, and running horizontally.
but there is a lot of play back and forth in the shaft...
Is it what you describe?
I'm not sure I get it: the upper and lower sprockets seem in line, and running horizontally.
but there is a lot of play back and forth in the shaft...
Is it what you describe?
Highway 61
Revisited
The play is normal.
The problem is that the shaft has got an eccentric motion. Carefully look at the sprockets position each time you wind and you will see what happens.
This happens on almost all Rollei 35s. The upper end of the shaft receives too much torque on every wind motion and it gets bent over time. So it must be straightened back into alignment or, best case, replaced.
The problem is that the shaft has got an eccentric motion. Carefully look at the sprockets position each time you wind and you will see what happens.
This happens on almost all Rollei 35s. The upper end of the shaft receives too much torque on every wind motion and it gets bent over time. So it must be straightened back into alignment or, best case, replaced.
Hans Kerensky has added some good photos of a strip down of one to his flickr account recently that may assist a repair.
Highway 61
Revisited
Here's what's to be done :
- removal of the top cover
- removal of all the winding gears
- removal of the winding gears seat plate over the viewfinder
- removal of the bottom cover under the film gate
- removal of the film gate and film pressure plate
- removal of the film sprockets shaft.
Then, repair (careful straightening of the upper end of the shaft) or (recommended) replacement of that part.
On my 35S I could replace the bent shaft with one (coming from a Rollei 35 Germany wreck) having thicker shaft ends and being made of brass instead of molded white metal.
I have the problem on a Rollei 35 Singapore which is my 24/24 carry around Rollei 35. The body has a few dings and I got that camera for $5 at a flea market, so I won't bother repairing this one. I didn't get frames overlapping so far, only contiguous frames twice on a 36 exp. roll.
My Rollei 35 Germany has very even film spacing.
- removal of the top cover
- removal of all the winding gears
- removal of the winding gears seat plate over the viewfinder
- removal of the bottom cover under the film gate
- removal of the film gate and film pressure plate
- removal of the film sprockets shaft.
Then, repair (careful straightening of the upper end of the shaft) or (recommended) replacement of that part.
On my 35S I could replace the bent shaft with one (coming from a Rollei 35 Germany wreck) having thicker shaft ends and being made of brass instead of molded white metal.
I have the problem on a Rollei 35 Singapore which is my 24/24 carry around Rollei 35. The body has a few dings and I got that camera for $5 at a flea market, so I won't bother repairing this one. I didn't get frames overlapping so far, only contiguous frames twice on a 36 exp. roll.
My Rollei 35 Germany has very even film spacing.