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Rolleiflex/Rolleikin


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Im looking at buying a Rolleiflex Automat and I’m currently considering an MX-EVS with good glass and no fungus (allegedly!) which has at some point been converted to 35mm with a Rolleikin adapter and retains the film counter on the outside LHS. I’m told it otherwise functions as a normal 120 camera and a normal take-up spool is present. There are adapter kits on eBay which include the normal/regular sprung loaded film spool ends which look simple enough to replace (3 small screws). Back and screen look normal. Is there anything else I should be wary about due to its previous conversion, and are the sprung loaded film spool ends a standard part, or did they change between models (i.e would I need one specific to the Automat if I wanted to get the camera back to factory finish?)

 

Thanks very much for any assistance you can give.

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No help here on the Rolleikin.. I've seen so much good work here done with the Automat. So adapter or not.. go for it. While adapting 35mm might make it interesting and do double duty when no 120 film is there.. I would not really think of the 35mm kit as anything but well... icing.
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My Rollei 2.8 D (purchased used 25+ years ago from a photographer's estate) came with the counter for 35 mm film on the top knob and the pressure plate is adjustable for 120 or 35 mm film, but I have never had the rest of the Rolleikin adapter set up. It has always worked perfectly with 120 film and I never had any interest in using 35 mm in the Rollei since I have always had 35 mm cameras that I would prefer to use with 35 mm film. I hope that helps.
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No help here on the Rolleikin.. I've seen so much good work here done with the Automat. So adapter or not.. go for it. While adapting 35mm might make it interesting and do double duty when no 120 film is there.. I would not really think of the 35mm kit as anything but well... icing.

I did go for it and it’s coming soon. I wasn’t so much interested in using the Rolleikin, more removing the counter and replacing it with the original one. I agree though, I’d probably not bother using it as a 35mm camera and won’t be looking for the rest of the Rolleikin kit.

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My Rollei 2.8 D (purchased used 25+ years ago from a photographer's estate) came with the counter for 35 mm film on the top knob and the pressure plate is adjustable for 120 or 35 mm film, but I have never had the rest of the Rolleikin adapter set up. It has always worked perfectly with 120 film and I never had any interest in using 35 mm in the Rollei since I have always had 35 mm cameras that I would prefer to use with 35 mm film. I hope that helps.

Thanks. Seller informed me it functions as normal for 120 film so with some research I might be able to change the film counter for the authentic knob. I found a guy in the Netherlands who can supply the knob, sadly not the screws, which are different to the ones which hold the 36 counter. I’ll have it serviced so maybe they’ll have suitable screws? Otherwise it could be a challenge to find the correct ones!

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If you want to sell the counter knob I may be interested. The one that is on my 3.5E-somethiing is acting up, hard to click. I had the rolleikin on my first 3.5E back in the 70's. I very much enjoyed using it with Kodachrome 25 taking closeup pix of wildflowers. I also used it a lot taking candid family photos, using the sweet spot/center of the 75mm lens made for very crisp images. Be sure to get a copy of the instructions, they will help you understand the sequence of operation of the Rolleikin.
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If you want to sell the counter knob I may be interested. The one that is on my 3.5E-somethiing is acting up, hard to click. I had the rolleikin on my first 3.5E back in the 70's. I very much enjoyed using it with Kodachrome 25 taking closeup pix of wildflowers. I also used it a lot taking candid family photos, using the sweet spot/center of the 75mm lens made for very crisp images. Be sure to get a copy of the instructions, they will help you understand the sequence of operation of the Rolleikin.

If I manage to find the right screws for the original knob, and the counter comes off OK, it’s yours for the postage. Screws look like they might be a challenge though (the ones holding the counter are different to the original knob) and despite a lengthy internet search, I can’t find any details for them other than they are oval head countersunk and tiny!

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Thanks for that link. Would you believe the Automat is the only model not listed! It would get me a part number but I suspect I'll need exact dimensions, thread pitch etc. The idea at the moment is to remove a screw from the other spool end (assuming they are the same screws, which isn't a given) measure it exactly, and see if I can find replacements online somewhere. I'm hoping where I send it for service might have the screws, but its probably a long-shot.

 

Thanks

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