Rolleiflex 2.8F, 3.5F meter knob

[weihsuan]

Dear all,

I sent my Rolleiflex 3.5F (working meter, hazy lens, stuck shutter) to the local cam tech for repair. It came back with all things working but a non working meter. The cam tech simply told me the meter stopped working.

I figured the selenium cells can't die this quickly (2mths at the cam tech thereabouts), so I removed the metering knob by unscrewing the two little screws and testing some voltages on the electrical contacts. I verified that the selenium cells are still alive and the knob is the one in trouble. I swapped the knob with my working 2.8F and all things work. In fact the 3.5F cells are better than my 2.8F metering accurately both indoors and outdoors.

Now, I'm asking here if anyone knows about fixing such knobs? I googled and couldn't find too much information about the knob, or are willing to sell/trade for my non-working one.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Robert Lai]

What I've been told by Clarence Gass about the cells and meter movements is this.

First, the cells and movements were matched by Gossen at the factory.
Second, the wire winding of the galvanometer is held in place with shellac. If there are temperature or humidity extremes, then the shellac can contract and snap the wire The readout is then effectively dead.

Few people have the meter parts any more. Harry Fleenor and Clarence Gass don't have them. I did get mine replaced by Krimarphoto (www.krimarphoto.com). Call Krimar Malarian and ask him if he has any meter movements and cells left.

 

[weihsuan]

Thank you Robert for the reply.

We do not have temperature or humidity extremes here. Guess the cam tech did a rough job. A pity for such great camera to lose its function. I saw the part on ebay for 200Euros, a little steep as its almost what I paid for the CLA..

I emailed Krimarphoto but yet to receive a reply. Having my fingers crossed now..

 

[Dan Daniel]

I emailed Krimarphoto but yet to receive a reply. Having my fingers crossed now..

He doesn't use email. Call him directly.