Rolleiflex "do-it-myself" question

[ThreeToedSlothLuke]

I have a 'Flex Automat serial # 1072459 which needs some work. New skin would be nice at some point but is not that essential. Most importantly it's the taking lens and mirror/focusing screen. The lens suffers from flare (even with a hood) and the focus screen is very dark.

I've seen a Youtube how-to about removing and cleaning the lens but not how to get at the focus lens/screen/mirror. It looks like the four little screws at the top, when removed, would enable the top to come off. Would that get me access to the components I want to clean? If so can I clean the mirror/focus screen with Isopropyl alcohol (91%) mixed 5-1 with Windex? (That was the lens cleaning mix in the Youtube video).

Is this something a camera repair novice should even contemplate or should I bite the financial bullet and send it out to someone like Harry Fleenor or Mark Hansen? I've spent a fair bit getting a Contax II, Leica IIIc and LTM Sonnar 1.5 rehab'ed so I'm wary of spending more unless it's really a good idea.

Colin

 

[OcamRzr]

I don't know exactly about the rolleiflex ,but I have a Yashica LM,it had the same problem of a dark viewfinder.The problem simply was that the ground glass was dirty.

In my case the entire top viewfinder was held in place by 4 tiny screws,you remove them it comes right off.I just cleaned it with soap water.You might further want to disassemble it to remove the fresnel screen so you can clean but be careful with those tiny spring locks.

There are conflicting opinions about cleaning the mirror though.Personally I cleaned mine with the same soap water gently with a earbud/Qtip and it was fine.But you might want to make sure that the coating does not come off.

Usually cleaning the ground glass screen will brighten the viewfinder up significantly.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Just generally it is often a really bad idea to use alcohol near focus screens that are made of plastic as it can fog them instantly. I'm thinking here of Japanese SLRs for instance, but FYI. An Automat ought to have a glass focus screen without a fresnel, so you should be right with that, but bear it in mind please for other cameras.

In short, removing the four screws will enable you to withdraw the hood from the camera body giving access to the underside of the screen and the mirror. Don't forget the rear of the viewing lens while you are in there. I'd rate the task as about a 2 on a 1 to 10 scale of difficulty, but then, I have a brother who shouldn't pick up a jewellers screwdriver, let alone use it near a camera, so, it depends on your own expertise as to whether you should try, I guess. If you do, just blow and brush the optics off carefully, first, before using a gentle touch with the mirror, in particular. 1950s Cords and Flexes have silvering that is quite robust, but if yours is older, the mirror may be a bit more fragile. Start at the extreme corner so as not to compromise viewing and, if no deleterious effects, proceed from there.
Cheers
Brett

 

[Dan Daniel]

While you are inisde the mirror box, give a study as to how the mirror is mounted. f you are comfortable doing it, installing a new mirror will give you a better result than cleaning the existing one. Here's one source on Ebay, $10.20 delivered-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolleiflex-...872?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce7fc2b88

To help even out the focus screen brightness you can drop a plastic fresnel magnifier on the top. Look in bookstores and hardware stores for the thin magnifier lenses and get one of the 2x3 inch plus sizes. Cut to fit under the tabs front and back and scoot it into place. Fresnel grooves down. Maybe $3 or so. A bit hack, but it gives an idea. Just be certain to focus on the ground glass, not the fresnel grooves. If you like the improvement, there are other integrated replacements available.

 

[Crazy Fedya]

Also, if you are to replace a mirror, you can take one from inside of one of polaroid 600 cameras. They can be found for under $5 in junk stores. It is very similar in thickness, and you only have to cut off sides to make it fit.

 

[burancap]

While you are inisde the mirror box, give a study as to how the mirror is mounted. f you are comfortable doing it, installing a new mirror will give you a better result than cleaning the existing one. Here's one source on Ebay, $10.20 delivered-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolleiflex-...872?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ce7fc2b88

Disclaimer: I aided that vendor with that mirror, but have no other involvement. That said, I completely agree -replace the mirror and be done.

 

[ThreeToedSlothLuke]

Thanks everyone...

Thanks everyone...

I wanted to be sure that it was only those screws holding the hood and there'd be no "thwang" followed by "where'd that part go". It happened to me once but I can't remember what I was disassembling.

This Automat dates to 1947/48 (it has DRP not DBP) but I'll be careful about cleaning the focusing screen.
Dan, thanks for the link to the replacement mirror. I went ahead and ordered one.

So all I need now is to locate a lens wrench and wait on the mirror.

Thanks for all the replies.

Colin