Some new things I learned about a P

butch · 10-10-2005

I have two P's in my pod. (used to have another but sold it before I learned better) But a few weeks ago I sent my nicest one to Mark Hama. Asked for a CLA. Upon it's return tday I learned 3 new things:
1. There are other numbers beside 500, 125, and 60 on the speed knob.
2. The bright lines are bright and have "35", "50", and "100" on them.
3. The film advance lever does not have a 40 degree stand off position, but snaps back against the shutter release.

I'd tell you what I learned about a Rolleiflex. but you'd never believe it.

Add me to Mark's references.

10-14-2005

Butch, I am looking for a reliable repairman for my Rolleiflex 2.8D TLR, but a "reasonable" cost, whatever that may be. Is repair at Mark Hama much less expensive that say at Paul Ebel or Harry Fleenor?

ChrisN · 10-14-2005

Hey Butch, I love what I'm hearing. I have a "P" with Mark at the moment, awaiting a new shutter curtain. Thanks for sharing the good news.

Sonnar2 · 10-15-2005

A Titanium curtain??

ChrisN · 10-15-2005

I think the P curtains are made from a stainless steel foil - it's pretty thin!

butch · 10-15-2005

Sorry guys, I saw your PM's but my computer won't let me open them.
Rotzbremse: I'm pleased with the results on the 3.5F that I sent to Mark. He already had my P and I figured that with his his experience in TLR production that he would be worth the try. I didn't ask because I don't use it, but he even brought the meter up to "usable". I have a 2.8E that Mr. Fleenor did a couple of years ago and it is super. Oddly, I traded for Frank's 3.5E a few months ago and I don't think it's been opened since birth and it's product is better than the other two. Maybe the Schneider, maybe luck, maybe the clean, Canadian life style?
I have a handful of Bay III and Bay II filters that I want to experiment with if the Arkansas leaves ever start to change color.

Chris: On this, my nicest P, I had begun to have a little trouble with shutter drag, I guess. I would get these 3/4 width shots intermittantly. Almost always, the first shot would sound to be at a slow speed regardless of where the speed would be set. Then the advance stroke would exhibit little resistance. All would be fine unless I let the camera sit unused for a few hours. Then it would be "soft" again. It was almost like a spring was loosing tension. But I know about as much about camera mechanics as I do about women. So other than the general appearance improvement there seems to be a solid tightness that wasn't there before. Mark has a genuine love for the P and it shows when he talks about his service on them. I hesitate to add cause everyone might expect it but he even put a new aluminum, screw-in body cover in place and returned my high dollar plastic cover that I had fashioned from one of my diabetes prescription caps. I'm waiting for sun-rise and am looking forward to a scanning session when the negatives come from my shower curtain bar.

All this being said, Mark is gaining in notice and his business is growing. Don't expect the rapidity that some of his internet reviewer's spoke about a couple of years ago. To me he shows the same personal attention to his business as Don G. and Sherry K. do to theirs. Pretty good company. I am not related to nor do I have financial interest in his business. ;>)

back alley · 10-15-2005

always good to hear a heart warming p story.

joe