rolleicord shutter sticks

E

easilyamused

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Mar 6, 2010
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Hi,

I just bought a Rolleicord III yesterday off Craigslist. I checked the camera out thoroughly in person, testing all the shutter speeds repeatedly, and the shutter seemed to be very reliable. I even shot a roll of film today, and the whole camera seemed to be working just fine.

After I unloaded the camera, I absent-mindedly fired off the shutter on a variety of speeds, thinking this was harmless and might actually be good for a camera that's lain dormant for a while. Suddenly the slow shutter speeds started getting stuck: first 1 second, then 1/2, then eventually also 1/5 and 1/10. Now all of the slow speeds stay stuck open until I either reset the shutter or change to a higher speed.

I'm not very handy and it's unlikely I can fix anything on my own, but the camera isn't worth a CLA. Are there any simple fixes that I can perform to *encourage* the shutter back to health? Is there any chance the higher speeds might also be in jeopardy? Could I have done anything different in inspecting the camera??

Thank you for the guidance!
 
It's just that a CLA would cost as much as the camera itself! But maybe jmcd is right, maybe having a working Rollei for years to come would be worth an initial investment?

Can anyone take a guess as to what went wrong with the shutter?
 
My Rolleicord shutter tends to stick open at the one second setting if I have the camera face up and pointing at the ceiling. Not every time but only some times. If the camera is at any other orientation the shutter works fine. Is yours like that ?

Ronnie
 
This camera is probably 50 years old, maybe even older. If you think of it as a mechanical device, then it makes sense that it would benefit from routine service.

The Rolleicord (and Rolleiflexes) were made to last a lifetime, and routine service will keep it running smoothly.
 
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This is a common problem with all older cameras that have set up for months or years. The old lube dries up and the speeds start to stick.

The Rolleicord is well work having serviced and you should consider it.

There is no simple fix for it especially if you don't have knowledge of repair..

Check around you should be able to find a repairman who can CLA it for less than $100 or not much more..
 
Ronnies, I've heard of shutters acting like that, so I tried shooting it in all different positions (Karen Nakamura recommends it too: http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?buying.html~mainFrame). Right now it doesn't matter how I hold it, it just gets stuck.

Zeissfan, you're absolutely right, anything with moving parts needs service now and again. I suppose even if it were working perfectly now, I'd need to invest in a CLA down the road.

This one was purchased new in 1951, so it's approaching its 60th birthday.
 
You could just use it as is with the higher range of shutter speeds that are hand-holdable. Does "B" work properly?
 
FrankS, it's true that I still have the higher speeds and bulb, but I paid for a complete camera, and I'm annoyed to have it impaired like this.

Colyn, thanks for the advice. I live near Boston, and apparently S.K. Grimes in Rhode Island is a legend who charges $100 for CLA. Maybe I can find someone closer for less though. I'll call around once the work week starts again, but does anyone know of anyone?
 
easilyamused said:
but I paid for a complete camera, and I'm annoyed to have it impaired like this.
Click to expand...

One of the problems with buying a camera that you don't know the history on is possibly getting one that will work in the beginning but start having problems within a short period of time. This is not uncommon. I've bought a few that were advertised as good working order but developed problems after receipt.

I usually buy with the expectation that it will in all probability need service.
 
If the camera was bought for $250-300, then you should expect it to be fully functional and recently cla'ed. If it cost $100 or less, then it's an old camera requiring a cla.
 
Hmm nobody has suggested it yet.
Have you tried a few drops of lighter fluid in the shutter mechanism and exercise it a bit? (just few drops, don't drown it!)

It did wonders for my Rolleicord Ia's shutter and film lock mechanism.

Of course, having paid good money for a camera I might not be inclined to tinker with it and let a professional handle the CLA.
 
It's worth fixing, too, especially if it's just dried oil. That model has a special place in my heart; they can produce fantastic photos. It's a fine thing at an extraordinarily low price. If you get the shutter cleaned and checked you'll have a camera that is probably as good as new with a build quality that would take thousands to replicate today.
 
colyn said:
One of the problems with buying a camera that you don't know the history on is possibly getting one that will work in the beginning but start having problems within a short period of time. This is not uncommon. I've bought a few that were advertised as good working order but developed problems after receipt.

I usually buy with the expectation that it will in all probability need service.
Click to expand...

I agree with this 100%. This has been my experience and expectations.
 
Mr_Flibble said:
Hmm nobody has suggested it yet.
Have you tried a few drops of lighter fluid in the shutter mechanism and exercise it a bit? (just few drops, don't drown it!)

It did wonders for my Rolleicord Ia's shutter and film lock mechanism.

Of course, having paid good money for a camera I might not be inclined to tinker with it and let a professional handle the CLA.
Click to expand...

While this often works, it's very important to control the amount that enters the shutter. Usually, you end up applying too much, which then gets on the lens surfaces. It doesn't hurt the lenses, but when it dries, it sometimes leaves spots or debris that it's picked up from the shutter.

And then you have to go in and clean it. Not a big job. But at that point, you might as well just give it the full service treatment.

But, you're right, that if you can apply a small amount, it should free up the shutter. It's not a substitute for full service, but it might flush the slow-speed mechanism.
 
This is all great information, thank you all. I think I'm on board with bigeye's way of thinking -- best to put down a little money up front and have something that's in good shape to start its next 60 years.

Some day maybe I'll be bold enough to try the lighter fluid fix on a sticky shutter, but when I started picking up old cameras I promised myself I wouldn't ever try to fix them myself. Mostly for my own sanity's sake.
 
On the same topic: the Rolleiflex I got seems to have the same problem. Any good/decent CLA people in the Bay Area/San Francisco? I am here for another 10 days, and it would be great if I could it fixed during the time.
 
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