Help with my Rolleicord Vb

[Disaster_Area]

I picked up a Rolleicord Vb recently and am completely in love with it. It has one slight problem though. I got a really good deal on it so even though this issue wasnt noted in the auction notes, I'm not going into a "I've been jipped" rant. I knew it was a user not a shelf peice so yeah..

The problem is that the Vb does automatically stop at each frame when you're advancing the film. While MOST frames stop and wont let me advance to the next before taking a shot. Some frames feel like they... slip? I guess is the best word. I can feel the click that means I've reached the next frame but sometimes the knob will still let me advance it more and I have to be carefull or I end up with up to 2-3 cm spaces between shots and end up cutting the 12th frame in half at the end of the roll.

I'm wondering if anyone has had this problem before? Is it an easy fix or am I looking at a professional CLA? I'm not adverse to taking on the repair myself if it's not too tough. Seeing how much I'm loving the TLR my big debate is whether to dump money into this camera.. or deal with having 11 frames a roll and save the cash to put towards a 2.8 rolleiflex in the future.

[KoNickon]

Yes, try what Larry suggests. But if that doesn't do it, then this could be a CLA. But will the camera allow you to take a picture once you come to the "click"? And if that's a yes, can you then wind on fully to the next frame (or the next click) and there's no overlapping? If so, then maybe you can live with it.

[pschauss]

I had a similar problem with my Rolleicord Va. It was minor enough that I was willing to ignore it, but the camera also had a light leak (which might have been a shutter problem) and the "B" shutter setting did not work. I sent it to Krimar (http://www.krimarphoto.com/ ) for a complete CLA. He cleaned and adjusted the shutter, fixed the light leak, adjusted the focus, and replaced the film counter all for about $200. His turn around time was less than a week including shipping both ways.

I thought that the extra investment was well worth it because I can now use the camera with the confidence that none of my shots will be ruined by a camera malfunction.

[Disaster_Area]

I think Larry was right.. I have usually been going very slowly when advancing the film and I think this wasnt transmitting enough power to the roller to advance it. When I tried without.. and then with film to just crank it fast like I would do if I was SURE it was going to stop.. it did.. on every frame. So I'm guessing the roller might be a bit gummed up, I'm going to clean it next chance I get.

Thanks for all the advice.. and I think I'm going to try out that krimarphoto.com link and maybe send it in for an overhaul. I desperately need a new screen for it too, the bottom centimeter of the screen that came with it is fogged up and has tiny bubbles? in it.. might be a chemical reaction from being cleaned with somethin harsh maybe. I'd like to spring for a Maxwell screen but they're a bit pricy.. I might try cutting down an RB67 Mamiya screen.. people have said it works a treat.

[KoNickon]

I just got my Vb back from him as well. Looking forward to using it. He's pretty reasonable in price, and fast -- I left it and another camera with him on a Thursday and he called the following Monday to say it was done.