somewhat sticky shutter speed dial on Rolleiflex 3.5F

[michael_hanisch]

I'm currently pondering about whether or not I should buy a Rolleiflex

3.5F (Planar).

 

I've seen one in pretty good shape (lenses OK, only some scratches on

the bottom of the body, all speeds seem to be working well AFAICT)

which -according to the guy in the camera shop - has been CLA'ed

recently, and for a good price (EUR 459).

 

The only thing that worries me is that the shutter speed dial is

somewhat sticky, you can turn it but not as easily as it should be -

but only when you turn it in one direction (towards slower speeds),

turning it in the other direction works just fine. In addition, I

can't seem to move the dial to the "green" section - 2 seconds is the

slowest one I can see. (Not a big problem as I realize that this is

just the "bulb" setting, though...)

 

I guess what I'm asking is:

Does the issue with the shutter speed dial indicate a more serious

problem, or could it be fixed with some oil? (Can I do that myself?)

I'm just curious, since the camera seems to have been cleaned only

recently, so I don't understand why they didn't bother fixing this -

hence I suspect that it might be a bigger problem...)

 

In addition: Is this a fair price on the German market, considering

that it does include no extras (lense shade, lens cap etc.)?

 

Thanks for any help with my dilemma...

[richard_srienz]

Michael, try the following: set the aperture to f22 and try to set the shutter speed to 4 or more seconds. Next set the shutter to 1/60, cock it, and try to set the shutter to 1/30. If you feel more resistance as normal, the shutter and the linkage to the meter is not serviced correctly. If it's not your job don't try to fix this yourself.

 

Normally, if you set the aperture to f3.5 and set the shutter from 2 seconds to 4 seconds, the aperture moves to f4, if you set the shutter to 8 seconds, the aperture moves to f5.6. And so on...

 

The price is very good, if everything else is working correctly.

[richard_srienz]

Sorry, forgot to add: if you don't feel more resistance with a cocked shutter if you change the speed from 1/60 to 1/30 and all the shutter times work correctly, only the linkage to the meter is not set correctly.

[michael_hanisch]

Thanks Richard, and also thanks to Henning (who sent me an email).

 

I will follow your suggestions and try the aperture/shutter combinations Richard mentioned. If they let me, I'll also run a roll of film through it, just to be sure everything works as it should.

[kaiblanke]

It is a fair price for a dealer, if it is a late 3.5f. For about 500 EUR you should be able to get a pristine 2.8c, 3.5d or e models should be around 400-450 EUR. Be aware that lens shades and straps are extremely expensive extras, a shade costs about EUR 40 and a strap about the same if in good condition.

<p>

About the shutter speed dial: Anything longer than 1 sec is equivalent to B, I was told that some camera servicemen did disable the longer speeds since it is only giving troubles; this seemed to be common practice in Germany (or at least here in Munich): I have this on my 2.8e as well as on my recent model T. Nothing to worry about since the meter does not work in these areas as well.

<p>

I am not so sure about the shutter speed dial, but if it works fine it seems to be a buy in my eyes, but run a film through it first if possible.

[patric_dahl_n]

Kai Blanke wrote: "About the shutter speed dial: Anything longer than 1 sec is equivalent to B, I was told that some camera servicemen did disable the longer speeds since it is only giving troubles;"

 

No, no Rolleiflexes had longer speeds than 1 sec.

[h._hillebrand]

Definitely only 1 sec., the shutter speeds slower than that are all "B".

[kaiblanke]

Patric,

<p>

on my recent Rolleiflex T the <b>speed dial</b> has speeds longer than 1 sec, i.e. 2,4,8 etc. When set to these the shutter is set to B, but the EV mechanism displaying the corresponding EV value. This quite unusual mechanism was the one I was referring to. The Rolleiflex itself still has 1 sec as the longest shutter time, but the speed dial can display longer values.