Rolleiflex 3.5f lens separation?

[kknox]

I have a real nice Rolleiflex I bought in 2012. Have not shot many rolls of film yet. The lens had some slight rainbow half clear circles. They have grown a little larger in the last 5 years. They are around the edge of the taking Planar lens. Has anyone has experience with this type of separation and does it show up in your photos. When I first got the camera i couldn't see any affect. They are getting worse, I will try to post a photo.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[kknox]

A link to the lens photo.



https://photos.app.goo.gl/akZm7UQTh2XPj7DS2

 

[f16sunshine]

Hi Kevin

I’ve had it on a Zeiss lensed Rollie.(tele)
It will attract some flaring and lower contrast until you stop down.
Mine was not this much and only on one area. This looks pretty dramatic although it’s a bit difficult to tell how much it’s seperating.
It would be worth it to run a tripod test roll so you know what to expect at different apertures.
Focal point in Aurora Colorado is probably your best bet for repair.
Cheers!

 

[Steve M.]

I agree, John at Focal Point is one of the few people who could handle such a repair. But I wouldn't do it. That is a LOT of separation, and since you have noticed that it is getting worse, I would just sell the camera as it is before it gets really bad. A lens repair would probably run several hundred dollars, at least. My guess is $300 to $500. Winter temps, and bringing the camera from the cold into a heated environment, should be avoided.

 

[Nokton48]

John at Focal Point.

 

[f16sunshine]

This past summer when I was looking to replace a rollei I sold (stupidly sold

), it sure seemed like there are a lot of incidence of Planar lenses separating in both f3.5 and f2.8 Rolleis.
At least among cameras for sale.
The f4/135mm in Tele Rollie is well known to have separation issues.
The Planars are also showing they have issues.
I bought a Xenotar and would recommend the same for anyone shopping for a Rolleiflex although, the Xenotars are likely not immune from the issue of separation either.
It sure seems like less of an issue with the Xenotars as I did not find any with separation.


John Van Stelton and co. do a really nice job.
If you have some budget available, I would not hesitate to query him about repair... nice guy too get him on the phone.
As with many things in these internet times, this Rolleiflex Planar separation thing will probably get out ahead of the actual occurrence of separation.
Having a re-cemented lens will certainly add value beyond usability.
A nice planar F3.5 is quite a nice camera.

 

[xmas_one]

If you’re going to send your lens to Focal Point be advised, John isn’t taking any more orders as of 01/01/2018.

 

[sreed2006]

If you’re going to send your lens to Focal Point be advised, John isn’t taking any more orders as of 01/01/2018.

Dang, dang, dang.

 

[kknox]

Thanks, any others besides John at Focal Point that can do repairs?

 

[kknox]

Hi Andy thanks for the info. I bought the Rollei about 5yrs ago. The separation was about half of what it is now. I could not see anything in my photos at that time. I took the Rollei out yesterday and noticed the separation areas were about twice as big. I don't know if it will be noticeable on my photos or not. I'm shooting a roll of Ektar now. Im sad to hear Focal Point is not taking more business after the 1st. Maybe I can call him to see if he will fit it in for repair.

 

[besk]

This past summer when I was looking to replace a Rollei I sold (stupidly sold 😱 ), it sure seemed like there are a lot of incidence of Planar lenses separating in both f3.5 and f2.8 Rolleis.
At least among cameras for sale.
The f4/135mm in Tele Rollie is well known to have separation issues.
The Planars are also showing they have issues.
I bought a Xenotar and would recommend the same for anyone shopping for a Rolleiflex although, the Xenotars are likely not immune from the issue of separation either.
It sure seems like less of an issue with the Xenotars as I did not find any with separation.

The Planar has two curved elements cemented together while the Xenotar lens has two flat elements cemented together. Longterm I thought that separation would be less likely and, if it occurred, would be easier to repair.

That influenced my decision to purchase a Xenotar lensed Rolleiflex 10 or so years ago.

 

[kknox]

Did call John at Focal Point. He said send it so it is there by the 1st. He said he would fix it. Thanks Focal Point.

 

[Samuel D]

Did call John at Focal Point. He said send it so it is there by the 1st. He said he would fix it. Thanks Focal Point.

And did he, indeed, fix it? Was it expensive? Are you happy?

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

And did he, indeed, fix it? Was it expensive? Are you happy?

Focal Point closed a couple of years ago. I expect the owner would have been satisfied with the work performed but you will not be able to take advantage of John's skills if this is what you were wondering: he has retired.

 

[Highway 61]

I have a real nice Rolleiflex I bought in 2012. Have not shot many rolls of film yet. The lens had some slight rainbow half clear circles.

So you bought a Rolleiflex which had lens separation already, that was not a "real nice Rolleiflex" at the end of the day. I hope the buying price was reasonable.

At this point, I would advise that you look for another 3.5F in user-beater condition (i.e., not expensive) but with an intact Planar taking lens and go for a lens swap. This is fairly possible and not difficult.

 

[Samuel D]

[…] you will not be able to take advantage of John's skills if this is what you were wondering: he has retired.

Understood. I was more wondering how successful (and expensive) this kind of re-cementing is in general.


Are some Rolleiflex lenses known to be more or less likely to separate?

 

[stompyq]

I have a 2.8E planar with separation. The lens has shown no increase in separation in close to 6 years now. I have used it extensively. The separation is abt 30% and I use a hood. Always. This minimizes the flare issues which do sometimes come up in images. I don't mind it. My advice is not to worry and simply keep using the camera. I sent mine to Harry Fleenor a while back and he pointed out that in most cases lens separation occurs and then stalls for years sometimes permanently so as long as it doesn't bother me to not worry. To stop any more separation he advised avoiding sharp shifts in temperature/humidity especially in winter. So i don't use my Rolleiflex outdoors in winter. It's strictly spring/summer/fall. In the winter the camera is only used indoors. Hope this helps. Just shoot the damn thing.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Understood. I was more wondering how successful (and expensive) this kind of re-cementing is in general.


Are some Rolleiflex lenses known to be more or less likely to separate?

The 135mm Sonnar used in the Tele Rolleiflex is notorious. Possibly to the extent that there are more examples with affected lenses than not. The 2.8 Planar lenses can have problems with the front cemented doublet. The 80mm Xenotar on the other hand has a single front glass and will therefore never have this fault, meaning, arguably, they ought to be worth more than cameras fitted with a Planar: but they're not. One might contend the smart buy is the Xenotar.

There are occasional faults in other models. Separation in other lens groups such as the rear-most is occasionally encountered but reported nowhere near as often as front cell separation.
Cheers,
Brett

 

[besk]

I chose to purchase a 75mm Xenotar because the cemented doublet was with two flat elements rather than the curved ones of the Planar.

The 135mm Sonnar used in the Tele Rolleiflex is notorious. Possibly to the extent that there are more examples with affected lenses than not. The 2.8 Planar lenses can have problems with the front cemented doublet. The 80mm Xenotar on the other hand has a single front glass and will therefore never have this fault, meaning, arguably, they ought to be worth more than cameras fitted with a Planar: but they're not. One might contend the smart buy is the Xenotar.

There are occasional faults in other models. Separation in other lens groups such as the rear-most is occasionally encountered but reported nowhere near as often as front cell separation.
Cheers,
Brett

 

[Samuel D]

Thanks, Brett.

I chose to purchase a 75mm Xenotar because the cemented doublet was with two flat elements rather than the curved ones of the Planar.

Why does that make a difference to separation risk?