Rolleiflex GX shutter and aperture dials

[Huss]

So I just picked up this GX, in perfect, like new shape. I tried to resist, but couldn't..

As a 2.8E user, and used to its perfection in every way, I was expecting 'differences'. Mainly in the shutter release action - some say it isn't smooth at all.
The shutter release actually is great! And the feel and finish of the camera is really really nice. But.. while the aperture and shutter dials on my 2.8E and 3.5 MX-EVS turn in delightfully light and precise, umm, precision, it does not do so on the GX. The dials are very stiff. The camera actually looks like it was never used, and the dials have loosened up a little with repeated exercise but I stopped before my fingers started bleeding..
So, stiff dials an issue? Or will they loosen up with use? Focus etc is perfect.

Thanks!

(will cross post on another site)

 

[Robert Lai]

The dials should not be stiff. It may have sat on the shelf a long, long time. Who services these new Rolleiflexes?

It's a beautiful camera to look at, I will say.

 

[Huss]

The dials should not be stiff. It may have sat on the shelf a long, long time. Who services these new Rolleiflexes?

It's a beautiful camera to look at, I will say.

Harry Fleenor is THE Rolleiflex guy. I've used him before, but want to know if this will loosen up or will need to be lubed etc.

 

[Dan Daniel]

If use is loosening them up, keep going? If the GX uses the same basic system on older Rolleis, there is a lot of surface area on the gears and shims. There are two gears around each lens opening, top and bottom. With brass shim stock separating them. As grease dries up it will bind. There's a chance that movement will reduce the binding.

Then again, sending it to Harry will get it done and over with. Drop him a note and see what he recommends- keep moving it around, or open it and clean.

 

[Robert Lai]

Does Fleenor deal with the GX and FX?
From his web site I got the impression that he does not service them.

 

[Bisakok]

And if Harry doesn't do it, you could always send it to Rollei. Yes that Rollei! I know they serviced another GX a few weeks ago, and have an active service business going under the new name DW-Photo. (They did a magnificent job on two very rare Rolleicords I have). Probably not your cheapest option... I'd organize it through the Europe dealer Foto Henny Hoogeveen, or you could try Eric Hiss, Rollei USA, in San Francisco. Luck!

 

[Vobluda]

Our local repair man says that GX is much more worse in terms of engineering design and parts quality and that it cant match 2.8F.
GX was designed by new team of engineers after change of the Rolleiflex ownership in 80s (that time the company almost went bankruptcy).

 

[Huss]

Yeah, met with Fleenor and he doesn't touch them. He gave me a contact of another repair Rollei guy, but same response from him. I contacted Steve's Camera Repair in Culver City (local to me) and they said to bring it in and they'll take a look so I'll be doing that tomorrow. They do good work but I though it would be better to go to a Rollei specific shop, but that obviously did not work out.
If I don't get any good news from Steve's, I'll be asking for a refund from the seller.

The GX and FX series definitely are not the same standard of build as the old Rolleiflexes. Not auto loading (but that actually does not bother me one bit), no self timer, different (cheaper) light seal method, painted not engraved numerals on the focus knob, painted dof scale instead of the incredibly cool mechanical sliding scale, no multi exposure capability.
What it does have is the latest lens/lens coating tech, and a built in semi-spot meter. Both are real things that actually affect the image.

Anyway, we'll see.

 

[Huss]

I'd organize it through the Europe dealer Foto Henny Hoogeveen

That's who I bought it from. I am disappointed that they sent it in such condition. Don't get me wrong it looks like new, never used. And everything is perfect apart from the effort required to turn those dials. It is a real struggle. They should have checked that. This is what happens when an item is unused for 30 years!

 

[Harry Lime]

Harry Fleenor overhauled my GX a few years ago, but maybe he no longer services them.

I purchased the GX as a demo unit, so it was essentially new. The dials and in particular the shutter release were stiff compared to my 2.8F even after the overhaul. I asked Mr. Fleenor about this and he told me to run a few hundred rolls through it to loosen it up....

Overall the GX has been bulletproof and has never given me a problem. It's simplified compared to a 2.8F, but that doesn't bother me. If anything I like it's simplicity.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

That's who I bought it from. I am disappointed that they sent it in such condition. Don't get me wrong it looks like new, never used. And everything is perfect apart from the effort required to turn those dials. It is a real struggle. They should have checked that. This is what happens when an item is unused for 30 years!

Not only that, but Hoogeveen is known for asking the highest prices :bang:

 

[Huss]

They actually gave me a very good price, far better than any others I saw, and have already said I can return it. But I want to see if I can get it sorted here, for not much money. If not, then back it goes.

 

[Bisakok]

"Not only that, but Hoogeveen is known for asking the highest prices"

Really Ron? That's never been my sense. You should check out the prices at Brequet Camera! (Most of Brequet's newer Rollei's came from FHH).

 

[Huss]

It's now with Steve's Camera Repair. They'll let me know on Thursday if it can be helped.
The service tech does not think it's lube that is causing the issue.

 

[Huss]

SUCCESS!!!! Steve's Camera fixed it! Apparently something in the mechanism had become misaligned causing the shutter and aperture dials to bind.
It is now perfect.

So, if you have a 'modern' Rolleiflex, Steve's Camera in Culver City is the place.

 

[Dante_Stella]

SUCCESS!!!! Steve's Camera fixed it! Apparently something in the mechanism had become misaligned causing the shutter and aperture dials to bind.
It is now perfect.

So, if you have a 'modern' Rolleiflex, Steve's Camera in Culver City is the place.

How bad was the $ damage? I just ordered a 2.8GX, and Fleenor told me about Steve's just today.

Dante

 

[Huss]

How bad was the $ damage? I just ordered a 2.8GX, and Fleenor told me about Steve's just today.

Dante

$195

Best $195 I ever spent.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Beautiful camera!

 

[Huss]

Gratuitous selfie from the test roll that came back the same day I got the camera back!
(yeah, I shoulda smiled).
Delta 400