Rolleiflex 2.8e switching shutter speeds very stiff

[stan_1]

I have the following problem. I’m trying to repair my Rolleiflex 2.8e, and adjusting the shutter speeds is very, very stiff, almost impossible. I’ve removed the front cover, and the adjustment dial on the Synchro Compur shutter itself moves smoothly. The adjustment with the gears at the back of the front cover is also relatively smooth. I disassembled all those gears (in the back of the front cover), applied grease between all the surfaces, and reassembled it so that it runs somewhat smoothly. However, when I reattach the front cover, adjusting the shutter speed becomes very stiff again. I can’t figure out why this is happening. Is it correct to grease between the gears, or should everything remain dry there? Do you perhaps have another idea for a solution?

 

[Dan Daniel]

Try putting 0.2mm shims at each screw point to lift the cover a slight bit?

 

[Dan Daniel]

OH, also on the grease on the assorted parts- very light if at all. I'll lightly spread some light-weight helical grease and then lightly rub a cotton swab across the surfaces to leave a thin film at most.

The number of TLRs made unpleasant to use by grease in the shutter and aperture dial/gear system is very high. Think of five years down the road when the grease loses its oil base to evaporation.

And you can test the shim idea by slightly lifting the cover while trying to operate the shutter dial. If it becomes easy (while still engaged, of course), shims are the answer.

 

[stan_1]

OH, also on the grease on the assorted parts- very light if at all. I'll lightly spread some light-weight helical grease and then lightly rub a cotton swab across the surfaces to leave a thin film at most.

The number of TLRs made unpleasant to use by grease in the shutter and aperture dial/gear system is very high. Think of five years down the road when the grease loses its oil base to evaporation.

And you can test the shim idea by slightly lifting the cover while trying to operate the shutter dial. If it becomes easy (while still engaged, of course), shims are the answer.

Thanks for the advice. I tried with the shims and it worked better, though I had to use almost 1mm shims. At some point I figured out that the lower part of the front panel around the taking lens bent inward and that was causing too much pressure from the shutter speed changing gear on the synchro compur casing. Probably someone dropped it there. Luckily that part was easy to bend back outwards with just my fingers after disassembling the gears within. I also used a Dremel to shorten the pin that moves the shutter speed ring on the synchro compur. That got me now to a usable condition.

 

[deemdoubleu]

I have the following problem. I’m trying to repair my Rolleiflex 2.8e, and adjusting the shutter speeds is very, very stiff, almost impossible. I’ve removed the front cover, and the adjustment dial on the Synchro Compur shutter itself moves smoothly. The adjustment with the gears at the back of the front cover is also relatively smooth. I disassembled all those gears (in the back of the front cover), applied grease between all the surfaces, and reassembled it so that it runs somewhat smoothly. However, when I reattach the front cover, adjusting the shutter speed becomes very stiff again. I can’t figure out why this is happening. Is it correct to grease between the gears, or should everything remain dry there? Do you perhaps have another idea for a solution?

Hi Stan, quite a timely message as I am going to have to try to service my 2.8f shutter. Not much help for your problem but a question if I may. Did you fully disassemble the shutter i.e. remove from lens plate and remove rear lens group or are you only removing the front of the shutter without removing the rear lens group?

 

[stan_1]

Hi Stan, quite a timely message as I am going to have to try to service my 2.8f shutter. Not much help for your problem but a question if I may. Did you fully disassemble the shutter i.e. remove from lens plate and remove rear lens group or are you only removing the front of the shutter without removing the rear lens group?

Only the front plate. You can access the shutter from the front for most common servicing things like cleaning the slow speed gear. Didn‘t need to take it out entirely. I imagine that it could be risky as it could mess up the synchronization of focusing plane with the focusing knob so the distances might not be correct any more, though I don‘t know for sure, never tried yet.

 

[deemdoubleu]

Thanks.

 

[HomebrewNewb]

Thanks Stan! I had the exact same problem with my shutter being extremely stiff even after taking the face plate off and reassembling it back together with added oil. I even opened up the front shutter compartment to ease the movement. But I still had the same issue. That was, until I read your post. After removing all the gears on the back side of the face plate, and sure enough, the hole for the taking lens was slightly bent inward making the pin on the face plate press down onto the shutter notch with excess force and not letting it move properly. Now my shutter speeds work great!

 

[Leommg]

Thanks Stan! I had the exact same problem with my shutter being extremely stiff even after taking the face plate off and reassembling it back together with added oil. I even opened up the front shutter compartment to ease the movement. But I still had the same issue. That was, until I read your post. After removing all the gears on the back side of the face plate, and sure enough, the hole for the taking lens was slightly bent inward making the pin on the face plate press down onto the shutter notch with excess force and not letting it move properly. Now my shutter speeds work great!

Hey brotha! I actually have the exact same problem as my rollei just took a slight tumble from my car seat to the car floor. Could you possibly explain what I need in order to take off the front plate? Thank you!!