Fix or no? - Rolleiflex - Page 2

naturephoto1 · 07-09-2008, 10:57 AM

You could contact Krikor Maralian at Krimar Photo Shop in Elmwood Park, NJ,

Krikor used to work for Marflex and has had his own Photo shop for over 25. He is one of the best technicians for older Rollei cameras in the US. He has kept my Rollei 3.5F camera in great working order over the years and has done other work for me on my large format lenses and also on my Linhof cameras.

Krikor's address and phone are:

Krikor Maralian
Krimar Photo Shop
1058 Broadway (Rt 4)
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
(201) 796-0554

Rich

john taylor · 07-09-2008, 11:52 AM

Hi Tom,

Do you know how to get in touch with Karl Ehlers in Washington State?

John

Nick Merritt · 07-09-2008, 12:45 PM

Krikor, definitely. He's worked on two Rollei TLRs of mine and a Rollei 35. Excellent service, and very fast.

Tom Hoskinson · 07-09-2008, 01:09 PM

I will search my messy address files, John.

eddym · 07-09-2008, 05:51 PM

Another vote for Krimar.

Rolleiflexible · 07-09-2008, 07:19 PM

I agree with Dennis, that it's worth the effort
to send it out for repair. A 3.5E is a great
camera, and don't listen to those who say it
is inferior to the 2.8 series. It is not.

As for repair recommendations ... I have used
Krikor many times. Without going into details,
I send all my work now to Paul Ebel in Wisconsin.
Paul does great work, and he gets it right. His
turnaround is usually a few weeks, and his prices
are more than fair.

You can reach Paul at paulebel44@yahoo.com .

Sanders McNew

Mark Antony · 07-10-2008, 04:19 AM

I say fix it. You'll have a great camera that (looked after) will last you another 20 years.
The 3.5F is a great camera, I used one for years for weddings.
Have fun!
Mark

IGmeanwell · 07-10-2008, 04:27 AM

Thanks for the comments

The CLA would be needed but the main problem is the damage to the focusing mechanism, the range right now on the dial is from .9 (close as it can focus) and can move to 1.2 before it binds up ... can't get anywhere near infinity at the moment.

The shutter fires ok, the aperture works perfectly, the shutter wheel feels as though it binds between 1/60 and 1/125th, the focusing is the biggest problem

Sanders I will email Paul ... thanks for the reccomendation (BTW I really enjoy your Rollei work), and I will also be contacting probably Krikor as he is closest to me, but if they in fact states its not worth fixing.... what other recommendations other than a Rollei would be a option? Obviously I have heard good things about the 124G and the Mamiyas ... anything else in this price range? Doesn't only have to be TLR

CraigH · 07-10-2008, 06:14 AM

Krikor is honest. My Rolliflex fell off a 3 ft shelf & the hood was dented & the focusing was off. I live near him & brought it in & he said it was not worth fixing because the focusing may never properly work.
Craig

Greg_E · 07-10-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigH

Krikor is honest. My Rolliflex fell off a 3 ft shelf & the hood was dented & the focusing was off. I live near him & brought it in & he said it was not worth fixing because the focusing may never properly work.
Craig

Which is pretty much the conclusion I have made of my 'cord that had a similar fate before I bought it. Getting the pieces flat and true is going to be about impossible. The best way to deal with it is to replace the bent parts.

But you waste little money sending it to him for an estimate, maybe he will buy it for parts which will give you a little more money to put towards something good.

Since you don't seem to care too much what the camera is, I again suggest looking for a good refurbished Rolleicord. After that I would look at the Mamiya220 or 330 systems and see if you can find one in good shape and get a couple of lenses. And if more money suddenly becomes available, you can look into getting a really good Rolleiflex, maybe even one of the brand new ones that roll out (a few each year).