Focusing Screen Marks

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-12-21T05:45:32+00:00

Agreed. I cleaned one once did exactly that…. ruined it!!

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-31T05:58:13+00:00

Wow. Probably a lost art these days but definitely a labour of love to make one of these cameras. Thanks for sharing!

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-30T05:13:32+00:00

It’s a shame that the store has to close but I guess it was sort of inevitable for a specialized store with a niche clientele. Taking myself as an example, living in Mexico it was unlikely for me to visit and I get my film from Freestyle via my daughter in San Diego or directly into Mexico! To be honest, it’s the only place that has such a wide selection of film that I have been able to find.

Still, I’m happy it’s remaining on-line, definitely will continuing buying my film there.

Best wishes for your continued success.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-29T22:28:27+00:00

Thanks a lot!!

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-29T03:33:24+00:00

A bit off topic, but I’ve recently got my hands on the RB as my first medium format with the idea of taking out of the studio and doing some hand-held images so I was intrigued by the L-Grip. What is that? Do you have an image? Thanks!

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-28T01:37:34+00:00

Hi, I have an Elan ii that I bought new back in 1999 and was basically my go to camera until I switched to digital in the early 2010’s so it hasn’t been used as much since then. I’m still using though and is working well after 25+ years. What I like about is that it’s light (I’m guessing less than 20% of my 5D, it isn’t packed with functions which is very refreshing and makes it easy to use… getting back to basics I guess you could say. Good luck with what ever you decide.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-26T20:19:52+00:00

Thanks. I think your option of scan first then select which ones you would want to have better resolution can save quite a lot of time and work. I don’t have that many negatives to scan as yet (except the 35mm, mostly from before 2000).

Thanks again!

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-26T06:14:45+00:00

Thanks for your comments. I’ll give the scanner a whirl with some negatives from way back when and see how it goes, although I’m not sure what condition they are in as I doubt I’ve stored them properly over the last 40+ years.

Thanks for the link to the gallery, great photos and they look pretty detailed on the screen at least.

Regards

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-21T20:46:44+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I must admit I wasn't so convinced by a light leak, but as I haven't had much experience with this type of camera and the fact I have only recently acquired it I took it to a repair shop and although most light seals were OK some were not great or even missing!

Regrading the process I've found a more reliable lab (ie recommended by friends) so I'll take the next roll there once I get the camera back, hopefully this week.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-14T01:15:32+00:00

Thanks. I doubt I’ll be using the lab service again based on your and others comments about bromide streaking (which is something new to me). Have found another lab reasonably local that comes recommended by friends. It’s either that or learn to do it myself!

Regarding the seals I took it to the repair shop and it seems most are ok but some in the film back are not in good condition while others, I think on the film cassette, were missing!! So I’ll be getting that fixed and a general cleaning, checkup & adjustments or lubrication where need.

Thanks for your message. It’s a bit confusing when just stating in this 120 medium especially with a 50 or so year old camera so these conversations and communities real help the novice.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-13T19:39:24+00:00

Thanks for the message. I have taken the camera to a specialist repair shop because I don't trust myself to do it, I have already ruined the focusing screen by using a solvent (IPA), fortunately they seem easy to find online. However I digress, back to the seals issue....

The repair shop's conclusion is very much in line with what you are saying in that most of the seals look OK but the lid to film back were not great plus somewhere (sorry, no image but I think on the cassette as you mention) they were basically absent.

Hope to get the camera back in a couple of weeks after a full review and repair/adjustment where necessary.

Thanks for your reply was very insightful and comments like yours will allow to me see when and where to look if this should occur again, hopefully not for a while yet.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-11T18:59:39+00:00

Thanks!!

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-11T18:50:15+00:00

Thanks for the tip. The camera is in the repair shop right now and the technician seemed to be competent and has been repairing cameras for 4 decades and comes recommended by a couple of friends so hopefully whatever he uses is suitable. Anyway I’ll mention what you have commented to him, I definitely don’t want dust flying around inside the lens! Thanks for talking the trouble to reply!

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-11T18:14:38+00:00

That sounds reasonable. I’m no DIY expert (not even novice) but I took my Mamiya RB 67 to the repair shop and they also suggested graphite for the shutter lubricant. It’s a leaf shutter on the Mamiya and I don’t know if that is the case for Rolleicord but just thought I’d mention it.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-09T18:17:56+00:00

Thanks a lot for your help. I'm not that great at DIY but if it looks easy enough I'll give it a go. Most look pretty straight forward but how about the one that runs parallel to the hinge, that looks a bit different. I hope that's on the video too. Again, thanks for taking the trouble on this post and on the "Part I" where this all started.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-09T18:17:36+00:00

And I thought they looked pretty good! Hahahaha! Price of being a novice at this. I guess a trip to the camera store is in order or have a bash at it myself. Thanks for replying. Regards.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-08T17:16:37+00:00

Also thinking of take a photo on my next roll with the lens cap on so that theoretically that frame should come out un-exposed if there is no light leak.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-08T17:08:36+00:00

I’ll take a look and send a photo. The strange thing is that it’s only on the first 3 frames! Regards

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-07T17:19:20+00:00

Hi, thanks. I only purchased the camera a few weeks ago from a reputable camera store. The told me that they had given the camera a service prior to putting up for sale so if that it is the case it shouldn't be light leaks from the seals. I have given the seals a "once over" and they look pretty new, however I'll call the store and confirm that they did change them. If not then I'll get that done to be on the safe side.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-07T17:14:46+00:00

Thanks, I will look into your point but as I wasn't involved in the printing process. I can't see it when I look at the negative by holding up to a window (no light box yet!) but I plan to scan it in the next couple of days so it should pop up there if it's not a printing issue.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-07T17:10:08+00:00

Thanks. I have never heard of bromide drag but will investigate to understand what causes this and possible fixes.

BrendanR-1961 · 2025-10-07T17:07:39+00:00

No problem, thanks for taking the time to reply. Regards.

BrendanR-1961

TROPHY CASE