I was saving money to buy a 2,8GX or FX, but I noticed three of the cameras
I like to use had technical problems. The SL66 shutter no longer worked, I
could take some photographs using the special Distagon 4/80 lens central
Compur shutter, however it was necessary to wait hours up to the main
shutter curtain closes again and the central shutter use is also limited
due to the 1/30sec slowest speed; the SL 66 film advance had some problem
too, it worked for 12 or 24 frames, but it became more and more stiffed
according you advanced the film.
I noticed the 2,8F light -meter needle needed to be adjusted to zero; I
unscrewed the unit from the focusing knob to do it, but when I placed the
unit again, the follower pointer no longer worked, I tried several times,
however there was no solution, the follower pointer lever worked out of the
camera but it did not work placed in the camera; the film advance worked
fine, but you felt the crank too loose; the self-timer did not work fine
and the viewfinder cover, in spite of the excellent shape, looked a bit
misaligned regarding the camera body and the back lock needed an
adjustment. I took perfect photographs technically with the 2,8F Planar,
but I hate to have a camera like this with some problems.
The Rolleiflex SL35E started to have problems with the shutter speeds
selector wheel, cometimes it worked, sometimes it did not work; the
self-timer lever was too loose and you felt the shutter release button a
touch stiffed .
There are no longer spare parts for these cameras here; technical services
warned me some cameras functions couldn’t be repaired due to the lack of
spare parts. I sent them to FFS in Braunschweig, Germany, again. They only
need two weeks to overhaul, to repair and to adjust the cameras. The SL66
and the 2,8F required major repair work and some significant pieces
replacement; the SL35E only needed a CLA and a change for the shutter
speeds wheel. They started to return to home last Friday via DHL, I wish a
happy trip for them.-
Carlos
