andrew_spence1

<p>hope you like what I did with it<br> its ready to use as I matched the lenses focusses tonight<br> as I worked on the camera it was obvious to me someone had been there before and had used a lot of mismatched screws but I left them in except the ones on the lens board and any new attachments I fitted ,I used brass m2 screws and steel washers to look nice against the black<br> I was able to replace the broken mirror I just glued all the bits together and used it as a template to cut a new plastic one<br> I have questions ill never get an answer to about this camera<br> how did it get to Latvia was it German soldiers property<br> how did it end up staying in Latvia to be found in an old farm house attic<br> who did the initial repairs<br> and how did it get into the state it was in when I got it<br> we will never know<br> Im going with the theory it belonged to a German soldier who went to Latvia<br> It now lives on a shelf next to a mpp microcord a toyoca flex an ikoflex and an mpp 5x4<br> in the U.K. in Northern Ireland<br> and I think its very happy<br> anyway it was a nice restoration for me to do and I like it and im going to use it soon I hope the lens is ok after I got rid of the scratches with cutting compound...we will see<br> regards Andrew</p> <p> </p>

<p>the next photos show the view finder lid. I had the attach the sports finder lid to the main lid as the hinge was a bit too weak for my liking the rolleiflex name had to be screwed on . Ihad to make a catch to hold the lid down I used an old bellows catch and filed it a bit and bent it a bit I had to bolt on a bearing plate or the catch would have gauged the aluminium lid edge <br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/014_1_zps2cdjgbug.jpg" alt=" photo 014_1_zps2cdjgbug.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p> <p><img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/011_1_zpsfsfonung.jpg" alt=" photo 011_1_zpsfsfonung.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p>

<p>the next photo shows the front view of the camera ,I put a little paint round the name compur to make it stand out and wet sanded the rolleiflex name and painted the letters in gloss black as satin black wasn't dark enough the writing round the vieving lens saying Frank and helideck Braunschweig got the same treatment<br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/010_1_zps9vq6twqy.jpg" alt=" photo 010_1_zps9vq6twqy.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p>

<p>the next one shows the underside of the camera, some one had done a repair to the bottom of it before and had brased and copper riveted on a sheet of brass which they folded neatly over the edges I had to flatten the bottom as much as I could and I applied a layer of car body filler to its surface to give a good flat base for the tripod mount, the film back latch was missing as seen in the earlier photos so I made a new one with 1mm thick sheet steel which I had to form a hinge which was easy enough I just folded it round a 2mm diameter steel nail ,I then put 4 bolts thru the hinge which also pick up the edges of the original tripod screw making it very secure , you will se a tripod thread adapter fitted too . The black plastic was made up of a sheet of 3mm black and 1mm white sheet as I didn't have any black 1mm but I like the look of it and it fits on my tripod perfectly ,the latch works very well and takes a lot of effort to open it ...just what I wanted<br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/009_zpsjh2bumi9.jpg" alt=" photo 009_zpsjh2bumi9.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p>

<p>the next series of photos show it restored<br /> I painted the inside flaps of the top view finder on the inner surface and then decided to paint the outside surface too I just liked it that way I glued on some new vintage style leatherette too as I decided I didn't want to reuse the original . The alloy body has wetsanded to a shine and shows the a repair a previous owner did to the bottom of the camera in brass heet which they then painted black I thought id leave some of the black when I was wet sanding it <br /> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/006_zpswrtf7kbf.jpg" alt=" photo 006_zpswrtf7kbf.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br /> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/007_1_zps8kfrjgwb.jpg" alt=" photo 007_1_zps8kfrjgwb.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br /> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/008_1_zpsfdfgpku5.jpg" alt=" photo 008_1_zpsfdfgpku5.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p>

<p>the next photos show the workings of the camera<br /> the first thing I did was wash the camera inside and out then I serviced the shutter and cleaned the lenses I noticed some scratches on the taking lens only on the outside surface which didn't worry me that much<br> the film wind on crank worked perfectly I only had to bend it a bit to make it fit better ,notice the black plate with the little window to read the exposure numbers .I wet sanded the original paint off it and repainted it all satin black which I wet sanded to give an aged look I changed it later ad I overdid it with the wet sanding<br /> notice I have sanded off the black on the numbered part of the film counter to make it silver and have painted the numbers red the cogs and everything was cleaned and oiled<img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/020_1_zpsodfabiog.jpg" alt=" photo 020_1_zpsodfabiog.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/019_1_zps5htn3llr.jpg" alt=" photo 019_1_zps5htn3llr.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p> <p><img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/018_1_zps4qwu5ukl.jpg" alt=" photo 018_1_zps4qwu5ukl.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p>

<p>guys<br> the first photos show the camera as it was when it arrived from Latvia<br> it was just as you see it the mirror was inside in pieces<br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/006_1_zpstoicfcpy.jpg" alt=" photo 006_1_zpstoicfcpy.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/007_1_zpsnxlg8g2t.jpg" alt=" photo 007_1_zpsnxlg8g2t.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/008_1_zpsemy5ybaz.jpg" alt=" photo 008_1_zpsemy5ybaz.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/009_1_zpsq5cd0kqe.jpg" alt=" photo 009_1_zpsq5cd0kqe.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/011_1_zpsgks7zadu.jpg" alt=" photo 011_1_zpsgks7zadu.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/013_1_zpsbbgzlbnu.jpg" alt=" photo 013_1_zpsbbgzlbnu.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/014_1_zpsq84kfj1j.jpg" alt=" photo 014_1_zpsq84kfj1j.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/015_1_zps8rpdsfby.jpg" alt=" photo 015_1_zps8rpdsfby.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/rolleiflex%20restoration/006_1_zpstoicfcpy.jpg" alt=" photo 006_1_zpstoicfcpy.jpg" width="409" height="615" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p>

<p>guys<br> ive been working at the camera every night this week and its coming along nicely<br> this is turning out to be the most time ive spent on a camera restoration<br> its a harder type of restortation the easy bit is getting all the bits cleaned and working like the shutter and focus mechanism and wind on handle it does look very different to the original photos but its how I want it to look and im happy wit it so far<br> once its done ill put a film through it as soon as I can to see how the lens turns out<br> I have match the focus of the 2 lenses, rolleiflex has a simple way of locking the top lens<br> the 2 hardest things I have to do is make a catch for the top viewfinder and a catch for the film compartment <br> regards Andrew</p>

<p>ha ha good one jdm<br> I think that len is too far gone for cutting compound<br> theres a firm that makes deliberately scratched lenses for use on dslr cameras they cost a<br> fortune and you already have one have you tried this on a dslr<br> as for my lens it just had to be done<br> I have an ikoflex with a novar I rescued a couple of years ago which will get the same treatment though its not nearly as bad as the tessar was on my Latvian rollei<br> the restoration is going ok on it<br> regards Andrew</p>

<p>guys<br> glad you like it <br> ive painted all the parts black and it looks ok<br> the camera is a lot easier to operate now and the trigger action is nice and smooth<br> Allen I don't have the 6x4.5 mask for it <br> I do have a mask but I forget which camera its for<br> ill only ever use my 6x9 folders for 6x9 that way if I want 6x4.5 shots ill just have to buy a 6x4.5 camera any excuse to trawl e bay I have only two 6x4.5 cameras<br> regards andrew</p>

<p>guys<br> you will have seen my previous post on the rolleiflex I got from latvia<br> I took both lenses apart and cleaned them<br> when I took the lens board off I held it under a spotlight to compare the 2 images from the 2 lenses<br> the viewing lens was sharp and contrasty the taking lens was sharpish but fussy and had a glowy look<br> because of heavy cleaning marks and tiny scratches<br> as I had nothing to lose <br> I then got my tub of standard grade car paintwork cutting compound and while watching tv I rubbed and rubbed and rubbed the lens applying cutting compound as I went with cotton buds and toilet paper<br> I didn't expect much as glass is a lot harder than car paintwork<br> but it actually worked and the scratches have gone and the taking lens is actually now sharper than the viewing lens<br> so if you have a lens like this give it a go<br> regards Andrew</p> <p> </p>

<p>guys<br> ill post photos of the camera tomorrow as I just got home and its 1 am<br> it looks to me like 2 cemented groups but ill post photos of the lenses too<br> I don't want to cause any trouble<br> Anfdrew</p>

<p>guys<br> the net said its a tessar type<br> so I screwed the lenses to see for myself... theres just 2 thick ones<br> is it a tessar type because the 2 front elements are glued together instead of an air space like Zeiss<br> regards Andrew</p>

<p>guys<br /> my franka solida has made in Germany us zone on the back<br /> and a franka f3.5 75mm lens in a vario shutter it has a button on the right hand side of the body as viewed from the rear to trip the shutter and the film wind on on the left<br /> the thing is its got a black plastic top with built in viewfinder with fw moulded on top and the leatherette is a rough textured plastic<br /> I have been searching the net for the variant I have and cant find it any where<br /> does any one know what it is<br /> regards Andrew<br> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/franka%20solida%20black%20top/001_zpsn3kppqab.jpg" alt=" photo 001_zpsn3kppqab.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p>

<p>Colin<br> thanks for you answer<br> regards Andrew</p>

<p>its got a 105mm f4.5 carl zeiss jena tessar lens nr 366540<br> and it has no 258646 on the compur shutter<br> I know its pre 1926 but just wondered what it would be exactly<br> regards Andrew</p>

<p>Guys<br /> This ones been sitting for a while.<br /> It was in real bad shape so I restored it and cla ed the shutter and lens<br /> it was missing the sliding mechanism that trips the shutter when you press the button on the body<br /> so I decided to make a new one I was going to do it in steel but chose plastic sheet instead<br /> its held on with the screw and part of the sliding mechanism fits into a slot in the front standard behind<br /> where the copper hinge and a plastic cap glued on it to keep it in place<br /> it now works perfectly just needs painting black to make it disappear it only took a few hours and the plastic is way strong enough it makes using the camera so easy to use now that the shutter trips from the body<br /> regards Andrew<br /> <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/balda%20%20slider%20bracket/001_1_zpskccf9gxt.jpg" alt=" photo 001_1_zpskccf9gxt.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><br /> <img id="placeHolder_0" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/balda%20%20slider%20bracket/003_1_zpsftw4ury8.jpg" alt=" photo 003_1_zpsftw4ury8.jpg" data-link="id{:placeHolderId}" /></p>

<p>guys<br /> don't tell me not to buy it<br /> I bought it for £40 I thought it was worth it just for the look alone,<br /> the seller says the shutter and apertures work I will do a minimal restoration on this<br /> as I want to keep the "look" of it im not sure how far ill go on its looks but I want it to work and take pictures with<br /> a friend of mine says the only way he thinks it got to Latvia was via a german soldier<br /> this will be an interesting fix up job<br> the thing is it looks like its been banged about a lot but the focusing screen is intact<br /> would any of you have taken this on<br /> regards Andrew</p>

<p><img id="viEnlargeImgLayer_img_ctr" src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODAwWDYxNQ==/z/KhoAAOSweW5U~afg/$_57.JPG" alt="" />g<br> <img id="viEnlargeImgLayer_img_ctr" src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjgyWDgwMA==/z/09cAAOSwBLlU~afl/$_57.JPG" alt="" /><br /> guys how would this camera have got in this state all I know is that it was found in an attic of an old house in Latvia any of you have any theories<br /> regards Andrew</p>

<blockquote> <ul> <li>this is the welta restoration that I posted about a few days agoits more or less done it just needs the bellows cleaned up a bit more and more layers of black polish put on the black leatherette on the whole camera I enjoyed restoring it and the shutter was in perfect working order, the lenses only needed a quick clean and ill be using it soon to test it out. I expect descent images from it, these photos were taken with my new sony a3000 on hdr the only bit that's not original is the front door which is supposed to be black but I thought it would look better painted silver with the black leatherette hope you like it.....whats next .....toyocaflex when it arrives</li> <li>are there many of you out there that do this sort of thing</li> <li>regards Andrew<img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/welta%206x9cmm%20folder%20restoration/025_zps4x1dj5mo.jpg" alt=" photo 025_zps4x1dj5mo.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/welta%206x9cmm%20folder%20restoration/027_zpstzgofbbx.jpg" alt=" photo 027_zpstzgofbbx.jpg" width="800" height="533" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></li> <li>ive no idea why the photos are at the bottom of the page could an administrator move them up for me please</li> </ul> </blockquote>

<p>and so it begins ...I bought this welta to restore for £14 its what I like to do now and again it has a cassar lens and a compur shutter many will say its a waste of ttime but I like doing this sort of thing .I got all the black covering off all in single pieces and the next thing is to grind off all the rust the chrome just peels off .I will paint it all black as I wont be re chromeing it or perhaps ill paint it a metallic silver the shutter works pergfectly and the lens is clean what do you think ive seen a lot worse regards andrew <img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/welta%206x9cmm%20folder%20restoration/002.JPGa_1_zpsinfko5q0.jpg" alt=" photo 002.JPGa_1_zpsinfko5q0.jpg" width="800" height="534" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/welta%206x9cmm%20folder%20restoration/004.JPGa_1_zpsqb5y3nbg.jpg" alt=" photo 004.JPGa_1_zpsqb5y3nbg.jpg" width="800" height="534" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /><img id="fullsizeMedia" src="http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/armagh5/welta%206x9cmm%20folder%20restoration/001.JPGa_1_zpsitnwtbyy.jpg" alt=" photo 001.JPGa_1_zpsitnwtbyy.jpg" width="800" height="534" data-link="src{:fullsizeUrl} width{:rsWidth} height{:rsHeight}" /></p> <p> </p>

<p>just bought one on e bay .<br> I researched it before bidding just as I do with everything and was surprised to find very impressive photos taken with it on flickr .<br> is it generally regarded as an under rated camera in the tlr community<br> id be interested in what users think of it<br> regards Andrew</p> <p> </p>

<p>first impressions are that I like it<br> as a bit of background I use a canon 550d, a lumix g1 an Olympus e-pl1 with af and manuel lenses and a load of film 35mm ,120 and 5x4 cameras some are awkward sods to use but it doesn't bother me<br> I like to use as many types of camera as I can and enjoy their differences<br> ive read and seen all the u tube reviews on the a 3000, the question was asked who was this camera for.<br> I simply wanted an apsc camera I could put canon fd lenses on that ive had for 30 years with no optical adapter with a good grip<br> unlike my e-pl1 but I still like my e-pl1<br> so I thought the a 3000 was for me I didn't care that it has been accused of pretending to be a dslr<br> it was honest to me when it came out of its box I knew exactly what it was.<br> and I don't particulary think its build quality is bad<br> Before I bought it I checked out the evf resolution that's listed as the same as a sony h 400 that I found in a local big camera shop my conclusion was it was fine but I think the a3000 is better and its totally usable to me<br> and I wear glasses and I find it easy to manual focus using the evf<br> I then discovered the low resolution rear screen was the same as my much loved lumix g1 no problem for me there<br> ive been messing around with the a3000 this evening as I only got it to day I only read the manual to find out how to charge the battery though a separate charger and fd adapter is in the way I was able to work it all out in 15 minutes a plus in my book.<br> The menu system has been heavily criticised by a lot of people seems fine to me<br> Panorama took 3 seconds to work out and the scene and art modes focus peaking and the hdr are just great and the manual settings for aperture and shutter speed are so easy to use which will be great for my legacy manuel lenses<br> kit lens has excellent reviews and ill be using it a lot on the camera too<br> it was said at the time when it came out that it was a conjob built to fool consumers into buying it instead of a more expensive entry level dslr some people were realy angry at sony because of this camera<br> it was realy interesting to discover that some really hated it and some really loved it<br> im looking forward to using it<br> do you have a sony a3000 and what did you think of all the reviews it had<br> or am I just too easily pleased<br> regards Andrew</p>

<p>guys<br> Should I get an EOS 5d and just use my present non L lenses.<br> I know the standard well known advantages of full frame v apsc but do I really need L glass for a 5d<br> I have the following lenses that I use on a 550d including its"" no good on full frame efs ""18-55 iii<br> I was thinking I could just use the following lenses I have but im not sure it would be a good idea or not.<br> Canon ef 75-300 f4-5.6 iii<br> Canon,ef 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 7 blade<br> I also have manual focus lenses that I use often <br> Olympus OM 28mm f 3.5 <br> Olympus OM 50mm f 1.8<br> hellios 44-m4 58mm<br> lens baby 35mm composer pro<br> Tokina sd 28-70mm f3.5-4.5<br> Tokina sd 70-210mm f4-5.6<br> and that's it...............so far<br> Ive got great results with all of these <br> One part of me says a 5d isn't that expensive and it would be fun to use with these lenses and I should get one anyway,as full frame quality is bound to improve matters <br> while another part of me says I would be wasting a perfectly good 5d with these lenses and I should get some L glass<br> What do you think<br> Regards Andrew</p> <p> </p>

<p>thanks for all your answers<br> nex 6 or sony a3000 I don't know...........<br> regards andrew</p>