Rollei SL66 help

[bags27]

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Hi-

Just to delivery of a lovely Rollei SL66 (sort of a dream camera). I know they can get stuck if not following directions. So, I was very careful with it, just looking at it while reading manual. But it seems the crank is stuck in the forward position and can't wind back up. Does anyone have this camera or know anyone I can talk to?

thanks,

Ken

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[bags27]

I'm pretty sure that the mirror is stuck and likely unfixable by me. Not sure what I'll do next. thanks.

[Charles Morgan]

Bad news but did you get if from someone you can return it to? After too many recent years buying stuff, I no longer try to sort a problem (invariably if I attempt it I'll make it worse) or worry - it goes straight back.

Good luck!

[frame-it]

might help:

https://www.sl66.com/

https://www.cameramanuals.org/rolleiflex/rolleiflex_sl66.pdf

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by frame-it

[bags27]

Thanks so much frame-it.

The seller--an extremely reputable ebay seller with superb inventory and 100% rating--is sending me suggestions, too. I'll give those a try as well, though the link you sent of opening the camera and tightening the spring may be a bit daunting.

My favorite on-line fix (it apparently really worked at least twice in the past) is to toggle between 1/30 and 1/60th second. Sort of comical.

I agree, Charles, that this shouldn't/can't be my problem, and I won't go much further with it. 

Perhaps the whole thing is quixotic. I bought the absolutely latest serial number I could find/best seller. But it's a 40+ year old mechanical camera with only one repairman (on the other side of the U.S.).

I realize HBs are more reliable/more parts, etc. and have the same Zeiss lenses/IQ. But the SL66 is such a neat camera....oh well....the sad reality of aging medium format film cameras.

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by bags27

[stray cat]

Don't give up on it too soon, Ken. Chances are it's a quick fix and you'll never have another problem with it. As you say, a mighty camera and the lenses are just so glorious. Hang in there!

 

[frame-it]

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[adan]

Just out of curiosity, have you tried completely removing the film magazine (not just the film insert), and then trying to operate the crank and "dry-fire" the camera with the back off?

The SL66 has more "safety interlocks" than even the Hasselblad 500-series - most of them in the connections between the back and the main camera. Removing the back entirely takes all those interlocks out of play. (Unlike the Hassy, however, the lens can be removed and replaced at any time, cocked or uncocked).

Since you have the manual, you know that every few pages, it constantly repeats "Your First Rule" of using the SL66 - always be sure the camera is already fully cocked before starting to load film, or do most other things.

Again, unlike a Hassy, where winding film and cocking the shutter is a single turn of 360°, the cocking of the SL66 is a two-step process (to match the Rollei TLRs) - as well as many other quirks:

As seen from the winding side - the crank must be moved 270° clockwise (to wind the film) - and then 270° counterclockwise (to cock the shutter) - to be completely ready for firing.

Corollary to "Your First Rule" - if the crank can be moved in either direction, then move it, until it will not move any more.

I tried out an SL66 last summer, and spent about an hour with the manual, figuring out all the interlocks.

And still occasionally forgot "Your First Rule" and had to unload everything and start over.

Also - be sure the shutter button is not itself locked. Twiddle the knurled ring around the front to both extremes - it is not always very well marked.

If you have tried all those without success - I can recommend Dave Feeley at Key Camera (right up the road from me 40 miles or so) - see post above. The shop I worked for here in Denver uses him for all old mechanical film camera repairs.

But I recommend a phone-call first. I believe he is currently backed up many months due to high demand for his services.

[R6M6]

Werner Bruer in Braunschweig/Germany is doing Service to Rollei inclusive SL66. Werner@bruer-bs.de.

 

[Joe S]

Rollei Repairs By Harry Fleenor

Oceanside Camera Repair
909 N. Aviation Blvd. Ste. 4
Manhattan Beach, Ca 90266-6241
310 374 6506 - email - harry@rolleirepairs.com

Highly recommended.

[Erato]

Try the following and it might work for you.

Pull out the darkslide and turn the magazine's gear wheel (usually driven by the camera) in the direction given by the arrow (gentle force, gentle, but until it really stops) maybe with your thumb, maybe wearing a leather glove.

Without film in it and when everything is working nicely you should be able to turn the gear wheel back and forth and see the film counter go from start to twelve ... and jump back when opening the magazine's back door. Then reinsert the dark slide, cock the camera (it should work well without the magazine) re-unite the camera and magazine, pull the dark slide, try again.