[rollei_list] Re: Leicas and Nikons and Rolleis
- From: Allen Zak <azak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:28:00 -0400
On Sep 29, 2009, at 11:28 PM, CarlosMFreaza wrote:
1) The Rollei TLR cameras bodies don't use simple aluminum, they use
die cast aluminum. Aluminum is cast at a temperature of 650 ºC (1200
ºF). It is alloyed with Silicon and Copper, Silicon increases the
melt fluidity, reduces machinability, Copper increases hardness and
reduces the ductility, these materials proportions can vary according
the aluminum use.
Rollei TLR bodies are very resistant from any point of view, I have
verified it along decades. Alumetall from Nürnberg was the F&H
aluminum provider
In a half century of photography with Rolleis, maybe 13 of them, more
or less, my only recollection of ever needing a repair for damage was
after I had been obliged to drag a Rolleicord V strapped to my ankle
about 50 feet through a very narrow cave. The film counter needed to
be adjusted, apparently a minor fix at $15, done by Burleigh Brooks, if
memory serves. Although that was the worst abuse I ever inflicted on
any of them, there were the inevitable bumps and bruises from
photojournalism, social photography and the like. On several occasions
I was seduced (briefly, I feel so cheap!) by Yashicamats, not a bad
performers but although used least, requiring more repairs than all
other of my cameras combined. Ever (some people need a few knocks to
get things through their thick skulls.) Usually service for a Rollei
was routine CLA or to fix something the previous owner neglected to
tell me. My love for the marque is mystical.
2) The Nikon FM2/n has a long-standing reputation for reliability and
durability and it was a photojournalists favorite for this reason. It
has an extremely strong body of copper silumin alloy. The FM2's film
transport consists of high-strength hardened metal gears and moving
parts, mounted on clusters of ball bearings. The vertical metal
shutter, originally titanium and switching to aluminum during the FM2n
life cycle, utilizes precision tapered high-strength blades and
oil-less self-lubricating bearings. The mirror linkage uses the same
mechanism found on Nikon's professional F2, with some modern
improvements designed to further reduce effects of vibration and
mirror bounce. The camera features Nikon's famous close tolerance
assembly and minimal space lubrication, meaning that it will reliably
operate in temperature extremes of -40 °C to +50 °C.
Carlos
---
This helps explain much of my experience with the FM series, which was
frankly better than I had expected.
My first Nikons were Fs; dependable, optically good enough, but I never
liked them because of weight and ergonomics. They were a burden to
carry, especially two at a time, and I think that having to frequently
stretch my index finger to reach the rear-positioned shutter release
button may have caused a chronic ache I experience today. When Nikon
introduced the FM, I was interested and eventually replaced the Fs with
an FM, FM2 and FM2n. My expectation was the FMs would probably not
hold up as well, but I was willing to accept the probability of more
frequent repairs and replacements in exchange for much more pleasant
camera gear to live with. Instead, however, those lasted me more than
20 years with no repairs necessary other than for a sidewalk drop on
one that was returned to service at reasonable cost. At the time we
parted, they were all functioning perfectly, and I hope still are.
Allen Zak
---
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