Kodak 35 RF CLA

Rick_van_Nooij · July 4, 2011

So,

Even after telling you all how much I dislike this camera, people keep coming to me for advice about them.

My friend Marcel is a War-Correspondent re-enactor and we spent a weekend sharing a display at Etten-Leur a few weeks ago. He mentioned how his Kodak 35 RF kept tearing the film and if I was willing to CLA it for him.

His portable display, including the particular subject of this topic.

This camera features a post-war Flashmatic shutter with an 50mm f/3.5 Anastar lens.

I started by taking the top off. This allowed me to remove the cover from the top of the shutter so I could see if there was any problem with cocking-mechanism. This also made it easier to remove the front lens element as I could now get the RF-follower arm out of the way.

The rear surface of the front lens element had a little fungus culture on it, luckily it cleaned off without any signs. All other surfaces cleaned up alright too.

The shutter itself was working fine, so I didn't bother opening it up. But the linkage between the sprocketed film roller and the cocking mechanism was out of sync and it wasn't turning smoothly. This meant there was an abrupt loss of counter-pressure from the mechanism when winding the film, which might cause the shredding of film by the sprockets. This in turn made it easy for the film to tear.

I greased the gears and timed them a little better to fix the problems.

On re-assembling I calibrated the RF, but it is still a little off. I will fine-tune it before I hand it back to my friend.

Anyway, to test if everything was working correctly I ran a roll of Fujicolor 200 through it. The camera was a backup to my R-D1 during my weekend-trip to France a week ago.

Exposures are all based on Sunny f/16. 2400dpi scans of the negatives with Vuescan (with the generic color film settings), resized and sharpened in CS2

** BANALITY WARNING! **

German WW1 Cemetery near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon

The American WW1 cemetery at Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, it contains over 14000 graves and is the largest in Europe. The names inscribed on the chapel walls are of over 900 American soldiers who were never found.

Looking back towards the parking lot and the visitors center.

Last time I was here was back in 2008, I was carrying another Kodak 35, the PH-324.

The chapel entrance, and two fellow members of our group.

I could not leave without paying my respect at this man's grave. In Eddie Rickenbacker's words:

"He was the most daring aviator and greatest fighter pilot of the entire war. His life is one of the brightest glories of our Air Service. He went on a rampage and shot down fourteen enemy aircraft, including ten balloons, in eight days. No other ace, even the dreaded Richthofen, had ever come close to that."

I'll have a few more test results in a day or two.

Right, the 35 RF behaved fine, with the exception of the RF back-focusing a little. Easy to fix. I think my friend will be happy.

Commenting on the results. I think they are what I expected them to be: soft. Still, not quite so bad as with the 35 RF I own myself.

...Maybe I was unlucky.

gnashings · July 4, 2011

You totally suck at banality Rick ;)

Tony Evans · July 4, 2011

Rick,

There is nothing banal about the icons of war. Thank you.

Rick_van_Nooij · July 4, 2011

Tony, I apologize for that crude attempt at perpetuating a running gag that's been harassing the CMC forum for last couple of weeks. The follow up pictures should fit the bill though.

Peter, thank you...I think. ;)

JDMvW · July 4, 2011

Nice shots. That shot of the insides of a Kodak RF, however, is something I had hoped never to see. ;) Perhaps because my personal bête noire, is the Kodak Signet 35. I had to use it in the field once and I have never got over it.

Tony, anyone who has followed this thread recently knows exactly what the "banal" reference was about, it was not in reference to the subject matter, but a joking response to criticism of the quality of the photographs on this forum.

When you come in late at the party, maybe it's a good idea to find out what the conversation is about before you erupt in a huff.

Even within your frame of reference, as I suppose it to be, you might also want to contemplate Hannah Arendt's phase concerning the "banality of evil."

Rick_van_Nooij · July 4, 2011

Here' the truly banal stuff from the same roll.

Geraniums; My mother bought these for me, but they have not found their way to my house yet. I'm not quite old enough (or retired enough) to sit behind them as the Dutch saying goes.

Plenty of rudd and roach in the pond this year.

Mom, commenting on some of the plantlife in my sister's garden. Surprise, surprise. The Anastar can actually be quite sharp at f/16!

And the complementary (if somewhat underexposed) photo of Zap. Unlike where Rob Holz lives, we don't have any bears were I live. Zap would probably have been mauled long ago trying to sniff one's behind. ;)

Tony Evans · July 4, 2011

JDM,

I am fully familiar with the "banality" junket on this Forum. I referenced it myself in my last post. My comment to Rick was meant as a compliment to his photography. I apologise if my wording suggested something else.

JDMvW · July 4, 2011

Then I apologize also. I thought it was a "how dare you, sir!" post.

On a more pleasant and sympatico level, as a recently dogless person, I really appreciate seeing good old Zap. :)

Rick_van_Nooij · July 5, 2011

No worries guys,

Zap's an 8-years-old Appenzeller mountain dog. A short-haired, downsized cousin to the Bernese mountain dog. These breeds have become quite popular in my area over the last few years.

I'm his best friend according to my sister, probably because I play with him a lot when I visit.

I will have some pictures taken with my 'new' Leica IIIcK later this evening (CET), including one of Zap...again...

rick_drawbridge · July 5, 2011

Now I know what lurks under the top plate on my copies...handy post, Rick. Despite it being a horrible camera to use, I find the old 35 RF can turn in a good result. The 50mm Anastar f/3.5 on the one I use occasionally is actually quite a sharp lens. Your pics are great; I'm just reading "The Trench", recounting the making of the TV series of the same name, and your photographs are timely...Thanks for another fine post. Regards to Zap...

Rick_van_Nooij · July 6, 2011

The only warning I should give you, if you are ever going to take the top of the camera off, is:

NEVER remove the Winding Knob from the top cover! 3 little ball-bearings in there that are nearly impossible to replace say you shouldn't! Just remove the set screw, but leave the knob alone!

Go ahead, ask me how I know ;)

Sign In

Kodak 35 RF CLA

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

Create an account

Sign in