Do you think a few films went through this one?

[Pherdinand]

Originally Posted by clayne

Rust does not spread (neither does fungus). Rust is a condition, not an affliction to the entire piece of metal. Only affected parts that are prone to oxidization exhibit rust - otherwise they don't rust.

you're right with rust, but wrong with fungus.
Anyway, i too would not be surprised if it actually worked.
I would not mess around with new camera leather and such. It's never going to be a beauty queen in that pristine sense and it's also not the point.
Its beauty comes from the inside, lol

[Dana B.]

Years ago, we used to call motorcycles in similar shape "rat bikes." Would this one be a rat Rollei? ;p

[Dan Daniel]

Ratteflex.

[Acidic_Lemon]

Well, guess it looks kinda bad externally however I am still not having any buyer's remorse. I thought getting medium grey snakeskin for it if a CLA doesn't work out or it is an "economically unviable repair".

It will never be pristine or mint but it can be snazzy and cool as a "Ratteflex" or "rat Rollei" model for my other cameras.

[Dana B.]

I think it's fantastic as is. Please let us know if it works, and by all means, post some images.

[Dan Daniel]

Agreed, that camera look great. Like stone steps with those soft depressions from decades of feet. That camera was used well and hard, it appears. Hopefully the tilted lens plate surround is just cosmetic.

[Acidic_Lemon]

Just a quick update, the postman has delivered the camera parcel to my home. Too bad I am currently at work and have another 3 hours worth of meetings before I can go home and test it out. Will definitely update with pictures later.

*Update*
Rushed home and just got the camera out of the parcel.



Shutter works at different speeds (may not be as accurate), Aperture works somewhat (gets abit stuck on f.16), but after turning a few rounds and firing it got much better. The film transport is actually quite smooth (much smoothier than my other 3.5F when I first got it). Focusing is fine but view screen is really very dim and scratched up. Viewing lens is abit scratched but taking lens looks good. Will need to take pics with it first before my final verdict. I examined at the crack of the back, it is potentially a light leak, will use metal putty to seal it up. Self timer doesn't work.




No rust

Overall alot of grim/dirt but the mechanism still works.

Here's another pic of it. I just cleaned the lens and the camera body up. I also revealled the logo underneath the leatherette on the viewfinder.

[archeophoto]

I bet it will come right back to life when you take a few photos. Overall you got a good deal for $299. I would say it doesn't need much to make it nice(r). Now you have to decide if you leave it the way it is with a lot of (unknown) history attached to it, or if you like to restore it.

[Acidic_Lemon]

Originally Posted by archeophoto

I bet it will come right back to life when you take a few photos. Overall you got a good deal for $299. I would say it doesn't need much to make it nice(r). Now you have to decide if you leave it the way it is with a lot of (unknown) history attached to it, or if you like to restore it.

Yep, I considered it a good deal and I won't want to put too much monies on it until it breaks down or get sluggish. All I did was to clean off the sticky grime, seal up the potential light leak crack on the back and reveal the logo. Loaded the 1st roll and will be able to determine what else is wrong with it. The metal bit pole holding the crank might need to be put back so I don't put too much strain on it when I wind it. Any suggestions how to go about doing this? It looks stubbornly stuck.

I don't think this needs much restoration as it seems that the previous owner gave it TLC and I am attracted its current devil-may-care look. Makes my other 3.5F looks prissy I must say.

[Dan Daniel]

A pair of small slip joint pliers can be used to push such pins flush. One end on the pin, the other on the opposite side of the crank handle.
http://www.oregoncaliforniasupply.co...T_20PLIER1.jpg
Set to the wider opening. Given the age and such, I'd put some thin oil at each opening and let it soak for a bit before pushing. The pins are actually quite strong.

[Acidic_Lemon]

Originally Posted by Dan Daniel

A pair of small slip joint pliers can be used to push such pins flush. One end on the pin, the other on the opposite side of the crank handle.
http://www.oregoncaliforniasupply.co...T_20PLIER1.jpg
Set to the wider opening. Given the age and such, I'd put some thin oil at each opening and let it soak for a bit before pushing. The pins are actually quite strong.

I failed terribly to push it flush (almost injured myself) so best to leave it loose as it is until I can figure out what I am doing wrong.

[easyrider]

Did you really pay $299 for it or is this thread a joke? At any Toronto camera show you can see Rolleis in better shape and for a better price.

I have a 3.5 Automat MX that I would sell you for $299! ) I have owned it since the 1950s. Doesn't get used much.
You can look at it here:
http://torontophotog.smugmug.com/Photography/My-Rolleiflex/20531277_LJdqRg#!i=1626150647&k=Fv5bhXM

[Acidic_Lemon]

Originally Posted by easyrider

Did you really pay $299 for it or is this thread a joke? At any Toronto camera show you can see Rolleis in better shape and for a better price.

I have a 3.5 Automat MX that I would sell you for $299! ) I have owned it since the 1950s. Doesn't get used much.
You can look at it here:
http://torontophotog.smugmug.com/Photography/My-Rolleiflex/20531277_LJdqRg#!i=1626150647&k=Fv5bhXM

Yeah, I leave it up to you to take it as a joke. There will always be people like you and people like me. We can agree to disagree.

Even if it didn't work, I am happy to bling it up with thousands of swaroski crystals and still be happy it being a USD299 sparkling table ornament.

You no touch my happiness level

Thanks for the head's up on the Automat MX. Classifieds, perhaps?

[Mudman]

Originally Posted by easyrider

Did you really pay $299 for it or is this thread a joke? At any Toronto camera show you can see Rolleis in better shape and for a better price.

I have a 3.5 Automat MX that I would sell you for $299! ) I have owned it since the 1950s. Doesn't get used much.
You can look at it here:
http://torontophotog.smugmug.com/Photography/My-Rolleiflex/20531277_LJdqRg#!i=1626150647&k=Fv5bhXM

The Planars go for quite a bit more than the Tessar Flex's. Beautiful MX though.

[Acidic_Lemon]

1st test roll of film from the same 3.5F.





The rest are on my flickr.

[sreed2006]

I like photographing old cars with an old camera.

How well did the camera function while in use? Are you going to put more rolls through it?

[Acidic_Lemon]

Originally Posted by sreed2006

I like photographing old cars with an old camera.

How well did the camera function while in use? Are you going to put more rolls through it?

Overall still passable but it will need a CLA down the road. The crank is very loose and it swings freely. I used abit of blue tac to hold the crank in place when not in use/ storage.

It takes a while to focus as the current screen is very scratched from use and the focusing knob has a slight hiccup. I have a spare factory screen as my other 3.5F is installed with a maxwell. Was thinking to do a switch over but not sure if I will affect anything.

I have put through a few rolls since this first roll but I have yet to send them in for processing.

[raid]

Cool move on this camera.
I once bought an old clunker Rollie with a Zeiss Jena taking lens, but Eddie Smolov was unable to bring it back to life. I still have it!

The posted images seem to have a faint "layer" of something. Maybe it is my screen that displays such a toning.

[Acidic_Lemon]

Originally Posted by raid

Cool move on this camera.
I once bought an old clunker Rolie with a Zeiss Jena taking lens, but Eddie Smolov was unable to bring it back to life. I still have it!

The posted images seem to have a faint "layer" of something. Maybe it is my screen that displays such a toning.

Old clunkers are so rad and do you have pics of the Jena? Any reason why it is unable to be repair?

Mmm... Any idea of what causes this "layer"? Maybe it's me who needs more practice and getting used to the camera . I started off with a Gakkenflex (I am proud to say I did everything from scratch and installed the Gakkenflex myself) and I used it to death.

Of course, I have to say that my other 3.5F which has been Fleenor-ised is easy-breezy to use. (Do you still see the "layer" in these pics?)





Sorry for the shameless plug

[raid]

I went back to inspect your images, and now I only seem to see a layer in the image of the Austin. It must be my eyes.

[KoNickon]

Great pictures from that high mileage 3.5F. Congratulations on the purchase.

Not sure I understand the issue with the crank -- side to side play (which might indicate loose gearing), or does it simply flop around? I'd like to know how to fix a floppy crank -- not a functional issue, but annoying.

[Zathros]

Originally Posted by KoNickon

Great pictures from that high mileage 3.5F. Congratulations on the purchase.

Not sure I understand the issue with the crank -- side to side play (which might indicate loose gearing), or does it simply flop around? I'd like to know how to fix a floppy crank -- not a functional issue, but annoying.

Viagra ???

[archeophoto]

Acidic_Lemon: I think the pictures speak for themselves. Excellent. Congrats! This camera has a lot of character and sometimes that's what it is all about. Good luck with it!