Rolleiflex CLA & shutter repair options?

[bgprest]

After years of admiring Rolleiflex TLR?s from afar I finally obtained one of my own. It?s a Rolleiflex MX-EVS (serial #172****). It seems to be in pretty good condition apart from being a little dirty on the outside.

I stepped through every page of the manual with it and have found everything to seem to work perfectly other than for some reason I can?t dial in some of the shorter shutter speeds (or B either). Then I realized that the shutter wouldn't trip either. The leaf shutter seems to stay partially open then opens up all the way briefly when I wind it. It's like the shutter must be really sticky and it can't close down all of the way although they don?t look oily (looking at them through the front element).

I would appreciate any input you can provide on what may be the problem with dialing in shutter speeds and the sticky shutter blades themselves. Are the two problems related?

Of course I?m sure I?ll need have a CLA and repairs done. I'd appreciate any input on recommended places to take it. I'd prefer a local one (in the Dallas area) if possible but I certainly want a reputable one.

Thanks in adavance for any input,

Brian

[johnastovall]

Give Archinal Camera Repair in Richardson. If anyone can help you locally they can.

[bgprest]

Thanks... I'd already though about good old Archinal Camera Repair. Unforturnately they don't touch them. They're even trending out of doing any film camera repair concentrating now almost exclusively on digital.

Any other ideas?

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by bgprest

Thanks... I'd already though about good old Archinal Camera Repair. Unforturnately they don't touch them. They're even trending out of doing any film camera repair concentrating now almost exclusively on digital.

Any other ideas?

Man, if they aren't doing them, I suspect you'll have to send it out of state. I see several when I google "Rolleiflex Repair."

Photo.Net's repair board seems to think highly of (but pricy) of this place.

[venchka]

Join the Rangefinder Forum. I know, sounds strange. There is a very active Rollie TLR group there. In fact, the members there know a LOT about just about any film camera ever made. I'm sure you will get several suggestions.

Oh, try Dean's of Idaho. Hang on, I'll GOOGLE it for you.

[venchka]

Here you go:

Dean's of Idaho

[venchka]

If you want to stay closer to home, keep your business in Texas, contact Jacob at:

Camera Repair Service Center
4654 HWY 6 North, Suite 1010
Houston, TX 77084
281-550-2222

I'll vouch for Jacob. He has worked on my old Canon RFs & Pentax 6x7. Good guy and good work.

[rcd7112]

Go to Photo Net.com to find out every thing you need to know about TLR's and their repairs. Mark Hanna can do your repairs if he has time. As a long time owner of numerous TLR's I can tell you need a CLA.

[bgprest]

Do you mean Photo.net? I've already got a similar thread posted there and am receiveing very good input.

Who is Mark Hanna though?

[bgprest]

Just when I had narrowed down where to send my Rollei for a CLA and shutter repair I happen across a local option...

I had narrowed it down to sending it to either:

California: Harry Fleenor, apparently the U.S. guru on Rollei repairs but with a huge 3-month lead time.

New Jersey: Krikor Marilian, Krimar Camera quoted me a 2-3 week lead time

Wisconsin: Paul Ebel Lens Services - quoted me a 2-3 week lead time


Now I found out that Garland Camera (within 5 miles of me) does Rollei CLA's and I could have it back in a week. But they say they said they can clean and lube the shutter blades but can only repair something if they happen to have the right parts.

Any advice on how I should proceed? I like the idea of getting it fixed locally without the hastle and possible damage/loss of shipping it but I'm wondering if Garland Camera will do as good of a job and whether they'll find they can't fix it.

Any experiences or advice would be appreciated.

Brian

[bgprest]

I ended up utilizing Garland Camera & Repair in Garland, Texas. Jim Richeson has had this business repairing cameras for 47 years. I dropped my Rollei off to him last Friday. He couldn't get to until Tuesday but finished it the same day. He did a great job of CLA and replaced the shutter spring. Everything works beautifully on my Rollei now and it looks great too. Plus I had the work done in just a couple of days instead of weeks (or months), had no cost/hastle/risk/time in shipping it out and back to someone, and Jim charged me much less than the other guys quoted. I got everyting done in less than two days for under $100. With shipping, I would have spent closer to $150-$200 and waited weeks or even months to get it back. Not that the other guys aren't good - I'm sure they are. I'm just glad I found a local guy that did a great job for me.

So... add to the list of qualified Rollei repair guys... Jim Richeson of Garland Camera and Repair in Garland, Texas (north side of Dallas).

To provide a summary of all of the "best" from what I've learned:

California: Harry Fleenor, apparently the U.S. guru on Rollei repairs but with a huge 3-month lead time.

New Jersey: Krikor Marilian, Krimar Camera quoted me a 2-3 week lead time

Wisconsin: Paul Ebel Lens Services - quoted me a 2-3 week lead time

Texas: Jim Richeson, Garland Camera & Repair - got mine done in a oouple days

Thanks again to all of you and Jim!

Brian

[venchka]

Good news! Nice to know that we have at least 2 good repair resources in Texas.