Rollei 35s can't advance pass frame 24 on a 36 frame roll

[tuanvinh2000]

Hi guys,
Have you encounter this odd problem when the winder arm can't move after a certain frame? this is my first roll running through a corroded rollei 35s that looks like it was in deep water for a few years. I took a quick clean through the top and bottom but inside the camera is clean/clear. I got it as a flea market for $15 so can't complain. First test roll had to stop at frame 24 since i couldn't advance pass it. Take the film out, i can advance pass that frame normally and run it all through to the end without the film.
Anyway first photo with it:

Really enjoy this camera though since it fits well in the pocket with all the right controls.

 

[Highway 61]

1/The rewind crank shaft is probably corroded so the resistance after the 24th frame makes that you can't wind any longer at the risk of tearing the film off.
-> Lubricate the rewind crank shaft. On a Rollei 35 the rewind crank must turn totally freely without encountering any resistance at all.

2/The winding cam seat (hidden under the film chamber bottom plate) must be gummed up and corroded.
-> There you'll have to take the film chamber bottom plate and the film pressure plate off, then clean and lubricate the winding cam seat.

Likely, you have both these two (rather common) problems on this camera.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Nicolas, I wonder if doing those two things you mention would solve an uneven frame spacing problem on my Rollei 35SE? Sometimes the frames touch (but don't overlap), sometimes there's a 3 to 4 mm gap between them, and sometimes they're spaced normally...

 

[Highway 61]

Nicolas, I wonder if doing those two things you mention would solve an uneven frame spacing problem on my Rollei 35SE? Sometimes the frames touch (but don't overlap), sometimes there's a 3 to 4 mm gap between them, and sometimes they're spaced normally...

They may, but most of the times the problem you describe is due to the teethed film sprocket shaft being twisted. This is very common too. On the first Rollei 35 series this shaft was made of heavy brass, but after a while they made it with molded white metal...

The 35SE has the latter for sure.

The remedy is : remove the top cover, remove the winding gears, remove the finder, remove the film chamber and the film pressure plate, and remove the teethed film sprocket.

In general, you will discover that the upper end of the shaft is twisted. You'll have to carefully bend it back using a vise and a pair or plyers. Tackle it very gently...

Best solution is to locate an old Rollei 35 wreck as a donor and take its brass teethed film sprocket to install it in your camera.

Those twisted film sprockets are the result of someone having forced on the wind lever at the end of the film.

Open your camera and set the film advance on R. Then turn the teethed film sprocket with your fingers. If this is what I describe, you will immediatly notice, by looking at the teeth, that it turns with an eccentric motion.

I had to perform the repair on my beloved 35S (luckily I could locate a donor camera which I took the brass sprocket off).

This and the infamous plastic secondary winding gear getting broken teeth over time are the major weak points of the late Singapore Rollei 35 mechanics.

 

[Jiloo]

Most of my 24mm compacts (Cosina, Minox, Oly XA2) have uneven spacing between frames problem. I was in a service with one of my cameras once. But repair man said – if it's not overlapping he will not fix it.
I'll try you suggestion Highway 61. Thanks.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Thanks! Excellent information as always 🙂

Open your camera and set the film advance on R. Then turn the teethed film sprocket with your fingers. If this is what I describe, you will immediatly notice, by looking at the teeth, that it turns with an eccentric motion.

I just tried that and both sprockets look like they are in line with each other to me. The problem must be something else... :bang:

 

[Highway 61]

I just tried that and both sprockets look like they are in line with each other to me. The problem must be something else... :bang:

Then, grime and dirt where I told it above and/or some of the teeth of the secondary winding gear becoming to get worn/broken (if plastic).

To fix the latter, some brilliant people thought of offering some solutions... 🙂

 

[tuanvinh2000]

Thanks for the answer Nicolas. In fact my description there wasn't clear.
It wasn't the rewind but the advance winder that doesn't move after frame 24. So i was at frame 23, try to wind for the next shot, it wouldn't go. I tried to release the shutter it's already released. It's stuck there so i decided to flip the R button and rewind it and the rewind was fine. Then after taking the film out, i try advance to next frame and it works without the film in it. Was it more like an user error to put in the film wrongly? Can that cause jam after 24 shots? i could try another roll soon to see if it's repeated.

 

[rogue_designer]

tuanvinh - Nicholas's suggestions are for the advance lever - the same mechanism is likely at fault.

 

[Highway 61]

Thanks for the answer Nicolas. In fact my description there wasn't clear.

Your description was perfectly clear. If you can't wind after frame 23 it's likely because there is too much friction somewhere, and so, the rewind crank shaft may be the culprit. Remember : when you wind, only the force applied on the film, away from the winding mechanism, will make the rewind crank shaft turn ccw. If this shaft is gummed up/corroded, winding after about 2/3 of a 36 exp. roll length will become very difficult.

Try what I suggested. This should solve the problem.