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Mikevernon
Tinkerer
Username: Mikevernon
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2012
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2012 - 07:06 am: | 
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I've recently bought a Rolleiflex 3.5E which hasn't been used for some time.
Condition looks very good generally but I can't fire the shutter. I can't move the film advance crank either forwards or backwards, and I don't know whether the shutter is cocked or not. There is no film in the camera.
I've removed the front panel and unscrewed the lens so I can see the shutter leaves which look fine from both sides, but I'm a bit wary of any further dismantling. Should I be able to fire the shutter from here, and if so, how?
Any advice most welcome. |
Eskimogus
Tinkerer
Username: Eskimogus
Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2012 - 06:01 pm: |
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Hey There Mike
I have an older Rolleiflex Automat f/3.5, and i had a huge problem with it. similar to you'res.
1) With the front panel removed (With lens) cock and fire the shutter. you should be able to there. If it doesn't fire, it needs a cleaning.
2) my winding mechanism had a broken part in which i had to repair, It blocked the main gear from winding. Open the side panel where the winder is. make sure there isn't a broken parts here, anything lose, or shards of metal. i had a small pin which stopped the winding mechanism from stopping or moving forward. i dunno if you'res would have it, but check. |
John_s
Tinkerer
Username: John_s
Post Number: 76
Registered: 07-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 11:48 am: |
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It should be possible to turn the winding handle forwards at least, even if the shutter is cocked - this suggests the winding mechanism rather than the shutter is jammed. Have you tried changing shutter speed? Or with a cable release? Don't force anything of course. |
Puderse
Tinkerer
Username: Puderse
Post Number: 61
Registered: 09-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 08:53 am: |
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If you plan on using the camera, bite the bullet and have someone like Mark Hansen go through it. It will be like new and you will be able to leave it in working order for your grandchildren |
Mikevernon
Tinkerer
Username: Mikevernon
Post Number: 2
Registered: 02-2012
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 12:25 pm: |
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Thanks for the replies so far.
The winding handle won't turn in either direction, so presumsbly there is a problem with the mechanism. I'll have a go at removing the side panel to take a look.
Eskimogus: How do I cock the shutter with the front panel removed please? It would be nice to know that the shutter is working before I go any further, but obviously I can't cock it by the usual method of winding back the crank handle. Perhaps the jammed crank is also stopping the shutter being cocked from under the front panel? |
Rick_oleson
Tinkerer
Username: Rick_oleson
Post Number: 1181
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 04:28 am: |
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This can be thrown off by the front panel being shifted out of position on its mounting rails - it might be blocking the movement of the winding crank linkage. Look at the lower right hand corner of the front panel and see if there may be some interference.... this may also be affected by the focus position of the panel as you attempt to wind on. If this is the problem, you can loosen the panel mounting screws, shift the panel slightly and retighten. |
Mikevernon
Tinkerer
Username: Mikevernon
Post Number: 4
Registered: 02-2012
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2012 - 04:36 pm: |
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Thanks for your contribution, Rick. The problem could be something along those lines. The leather on the front panel is missing which suggests that somebody has had the lens panel off before, which is ominous.
I've taken the side panel off but can't see anything damaged. I lifted a ratchet under there which allowed me to turn back the winding crank. It turned very smoothly and reached the stop position but still wouldn't turn forwards and I still couldn't fire the shutter.
I think it's now time to seek professional help. |
Mikevernon
Tinkerer
Username: Mikevernon
Post Number: 16
Registered: 02-2012
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 - 05:22 am: |
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Problem solved. It wasn't the winding mechanism at fault after all. The shutter release lock lever is missing from my camera, but the little spring which engages in the release button is still there underneath the frontplate, so this was preventing the button from firing the shutter. Removing the front plate and moving the spring out of the way now enables the release button to work normally, which of course now allows the film advance mechaism to work. A nice, easy fix!
It's not essential, but if anybody knows where I can get a locking lever for the shutter button, please let me know. The one for the F model looks the same but is a bit different. I'm also missing the lock lever for the flash socket. |
