Robot Vollautomat Star II

[Stephen]

Start of a restoration, an old Robot Star II, but in bad condition, it works, but is very tired!! the lens has been painted black on the front, it does work though, tested on another body. Shutter works, but the clockwork transport spring is tired and the whole thing needs a deep clean and lube.

Bought with an even worst Star II example to act as spares, the sacrificial one works as well, and may be restored anyway! No lens with it, it had a disassembled Xenon, missing the front element.

The better one has the vital take up cassette, these later Robots can take 35mm cassettes using the 24mm x24mm format of course.

Got a soft spot for Robots, they are reliable, and deliver fine results in their quirky way.
Stephen

[Stephen]

Second shot of Robot.
Stephen

[Stephen]

And the parts donor camera, which believe it or not actually works, except it has been rigged to wind on manually each shot, due to a broken transport spring. All speeds work, and inside is quite clean. Outside is beyond description! I am going to try restoration, it may end up in black finish!!
Stephen

[Deleted]

Only spring-powered 35 I've had any experience with is the Leningrad. It's considerably larger and heavier than the Robot. Always have thought the Robot was a very interesting machine.

W.

[mickeyobe]

Sept 4, 2012 18:44:02 GMT -5 Stephen said:

Outside is beyond description! I am going to try restoration, it may end up in black finish!!
Stephen

Stephen,

You really do like a challenge don't you.
That camera would have scared me off at first sight.

Mickey

[Stephen]

The bad one would not put me off too much, a good Robot can cost an arm and a leg! Obviously these were the budget models from the 1950's, early pre-war and Luftwaffe types are far more valuable, as are the later 24x35 Robot Royal models, their only really more conventional model. Still after a Royal, but they do not turn up cheap at flea markets!

Reflecting on the bad Star II, it is missing the name badge on the front and the engraved one on the back, as well as the condition of the nickel chrome, so will be sprayed in epoxy black for the restoration, with an etched front plate based on the other cameras front plate, and the back plate.

The Clockwork drive spring is the big issue, it has been broken and shortened, and has been modified to wind on direct, leaving it working, so a spare spring and perhaps missing pawl parts will be needed. the working one will have to be stripped to be the reference for reconstruction of the drive.

Longer lens are a problem with Robot, they vignette on the rotary shutter mask beyond about 120mm, although some longer special lenses were made that allowed for the issue. Very long focus lenses just give a round image.

Adaptors are made to allow the use of the lenses made for Robot to be used on mirrorless digital cameras.

Stephen.

[Berndt]

Adaptors are made to allow the use of the lenses made for Robot to be used on mirrorless digital cameras.

Wow ... what mount type is it ? Robot ?

[Stephen]

Yes ,they are made, it is a C Mount converter to four Thirds, with an additional flange to align the Robot lens markings.
www.ebay.com.au/sch/hawks_factory/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686&clk_rvr_id=384772259933
The above should link to a seller on ebay who does them. Otherwise search via Google for 4/3 adaptors, there are lots out there now. some are described as Robot Royal type, the later full frame perhaps? There are several HK suppliers who do ranges and include Robot. Even lens oddities like German 35mm compact lens like Retina, are catered for.