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Post by yashica1943 on Dec 11, 2015 8:34:18 GMT -5
Today another cheap 'spares or repairs' Rolleiflex SL arrived, this time - a Singapore built SL35E again with wind-on problems. This one - I have removed the bottom plate and gave a short squirt of contact cleaner down the wind-on side again. (I am not recommending this as a fix!). Immediately everything started working, in a fashion, the mirror came down, the wind-on lever reached full stroke and the shutter release button started working. But at the moment it doesn't do anything reliably and not always quite in the right order, I think it is nearly there, but I don't think it will ever be a user because I just wouldn't rely on it.
Edit. After a little extra lubrication it is nearly there. Just slips up on the odd shutter operation when the lever wind has to be taken back and re-engaged. The gearing etc. seems to be quite sturdy, but prone to get out of synch. with itself. Just one question. Should the shutter speed dial have detents at each speed?
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Post by Rachel on Dec 12, 2015 6:01:16 GMT -5
Just got my one out to try. The shutter speed dial does have indents at each speed. Mine winds on OK and the shutter fires. The wind on lever looks a little flimsy to me. That big stop-down button is a bit quirky but easy to use.
More on my SL35 ..... Playing around with it I noticed that the meter is working OK. I thougght that I had taken all the batteries out of my old cameras but obviously missed this one. However on checking the battery I notice that it has started to leak. Luckily it does not seem to have damaged the battery compartment or the contacts. I've cleaned it out anyway. Mine is a Singapore made body with accessory shoe and has the Planar lens; just says Carl Zeiss Planar 1.8/50 5508853. I imagine though that the lens is made by Rollei.
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Post by yashica1943 on Dec 12, 2015 6:43:10 GMT -5
Thank you, Rachel. My third SL35 (E) the one that was nearly there has slipped back a bit, the wind-on, mirror, shutter sequence works about 50% of the time. Also there is a battery in there, but the compartment cover is completely jammed. I have put a small amount of penetrating oil around the joint, but even with a big screwdriver it is not moving. I may carefully drill out the small holes with a mini drill and apply more force. (I now have a spare cover.) I suspect that there will be battery corrosion inside.
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hansz
Lifetime Member
Hans
Posts: 697
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Post by hansz on Dec 12, 2015 6:46:55 GMT -5
If a Rollei-mount (QBM) is made in Germany, it says so on the back of the lens, facing the camera flange. Hans
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Post by belgiumreporter on Dec 12, 2015 8:56:50 GMT -5
Ive found that simple kitchen vinegar solves most leaked battery problems corroded contacts can be cleaned with it applied on a cotton swab without causing any (further) damage, just clean any residue with distilled water. Jammed battery covers can be made to come loose again by dripping in some vinegar, the vinegar is fluid enough and will find it's way through the thread of the battery cover. Heating the vinegar will speed things up. I put any loose corroded (due to battery leakage)parts in a small jar with hot vinegar this will disolve all oxides, then rinse them with water thorougly dry them and in most cases they are good to go. This has saved me many cameras over the years, the only one that couldnt be resscued was a nikon 35AW because it was jammed solid and wheather sealed so no fluids could be applied from the outside of the camera.I did save a canon T70 in wich the battery was completely seized,it was the worst one i've ever had, some vinegar, some patience and the job was done T70 lived happily ever after. Be carefull though, mostly after a leaky battery the chrome covering the contacts is gone and you're left with brass contacts, they are very prone to corrosion and from then on you'll allways need to leave the battries out when the camera is not in use.
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Post by Rachel on Dec 12, 2015 9:07:33 GMT -5
If a Rollei-mount (QBM) is made in Germany, it says so on the back of the lens, facing the camera flange. Hans Well how about that !! I checked the back of my Planar and it says "Made in West Germany". Thank you Hans.
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Post by Rachel on Dec 12, 2015 9:08:47 GMT -5
Ive found that simple kitchen vinegar solves most leaked battery problems corroded contacts can be cleaned with it applied on a cotton swab without causing any (further) damage, just clean any residue with distilled water. Yes, that's what I do.
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Dec 12, 2015 10:10:20 GMT -5
After cleaning the battery compartment completely with distilled water, it pays to wipe over with genuine Vaseline Grease, (Pure Petroleum Jelly) medical grade, clear type. This prevents any air getting at the metal, but ensures electrical contact. Electrolube may be used as well, or WD40 or any equivalent water dispersing oil. Do not spray into the camera, spray on to a cloth and wipe it on.
Stephen.
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Post by yashica1943 on Dec 14, 2015 19:26:48 GMT -5
Somebody in Portugal has listed on ebay a Rolleiflex SL35 made in Singapore with an f 1.4 lens. This is a chrome version with the angular pentaprism cover, not the rounded one. They want £210 for it, a big ask, even if it worked.........
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Post by yashica1943 on Feb 3, 2016 6:48:20 GMT -5
I opened the bottom plate of my German made SL35 and gave it a little careful lubrication of the parts of the wind-on and linkages that I could see, avoiding the shutter. This was because of a certain stiffness in the wind-on. Otherwise it works perfectly. I compared the mechanism of the German one with that of a Singapore made SL35 E. Nothing in common apparently. Singapore model at bottom.
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Post by yashica1943 on Feb 4, 2016 17:12:19 GMT -5
I wonder if I am becoming a Rollei addict. I have just bought a SL35E apparently in very good condition. I will report on it when it arrives, probably next week. I will then have two good ones, two bad ones and three good ERC.
Just arrived, see new post.
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Feb 4, 2016 19:01:06 GMT -5
The lower shot is not the same design team, it is really different even in tiny details. The mechanisms look more like Ricoh or Cosina, I wonder if Rollei bought the design from outside the German designers. They tried to imply to the Trade that all Rollei Singapore construction was German designed and made on German Machinery. Could they have be telling porkies, like Volkswagon has recently. Stephen.
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Post by yashica1943 on Feb 7, 2016 4:00:55 GMT -5
Perhaps somebody will open up a Cosina or Ricoh and show us. I have a mint Vivitar V6000 in black that is a Cosina design but I don't want to disturb the screws to take the base cover off.
I have been looking at Rolleiflex cameras on ebay, today, it seems that it is now 'silly' season for SL 35's of Singapore manufacture. There is one SL35E body with two Tamron lenses at £275 or offers! To put other cameras on at £200 and £250 with no full explanation of cosmetic or working condition seems very, very speculative, even £100 for a very good SL35E with Planar f1.8 lens seems like too much to me and a great gamble for future operating integrity.
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Post by yashica1943 on Feb 8, 2016 4:54:56 GMT -5
Arrived today. A Rolleiflex SL35 E that works. Short of putting a film in it everything seems OK. Came with a good ERC, instruction book and a working 'National' flashgun.
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Post by yashica1943 on Feb 8, 2016 9:33:28 GMT -5
I have been looking up some Rolleiflex historical notes. It seems that the original SL35 differs from the SL 35E and SL35M etc. because it was based on the Voigtlander VSL 1 & 2 & 3E............
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