Rollei projector focus misalignment

[Allan Derickson]

My old Rollei P35A slide projector, purchased new in Hong Kong in 1969, has
developed a focus problem. I just mounted a better lens, the Rollei-S-Projar
f/2.5 90mm, so perhaps the better lens made the problem more apparent. The
focus is different left to right on the projected image so I assume the
slide is misaligned in relation to the lens. Taking the cover off I can't
see any obvious way to adjust this. Has anyone any experience with this?



Failing a DIY fix I'd probably look for a replacement on Ebay. I'd like to
keep and use my new lens. What are the better Rollei projectors? Is the P350
any good?



Allan

[CarlosMFreaza]

Allan:
My Rollei P355 autofocus manual says that if the picture
_brightness_ is insufficient or unequal, the cause is a very dirty
optical system and you need to clean all glass part, including lens
and mirror; however you are talking about _focus_ differences from
left to right, it would be a more serious problem, if this is the
case, I can't help about it. The Rollei-S-Projar f/2.5/90mm is a
better lens than the standard Projar 2.8/85, the manual recommends to
use the 90mm lens "...as a fast special lens with superior
resolution."

It's difficult to say if one Rollei projector model is better than
other Rollei projector model talking about the construction quality,
Rollei manufactured several models simultaneously and some of them
under different brand names for other companies, but you can find
differences for the features of course. Your Rollei P35 A projector
was made from August 1968 to the beginning of 1975 by Rollei Germany
and Rollei Singapore, it does not have autofocus, there was a
simultaneous autofocus model made from 1970 to 1975 called "Rollei P
35 autofocus". One of the last 35mm projectors models manufactured by
Rollei-Werke F&H was my Rollei P355 Autofocus, manufactured from April
1978 to middle 1981 by Rollei Singapore and Rollei Germany (mine was
made in Germany). You need an initial manual basic focusing initially,
the autofocus works afterward for focusing correction during the
projection with an indicator showing the function, you can program the
automatic slides change from 4 sec to 30 sec or to do it manually. The
P 350 is a bit older than the P 355, it was made from August 1974 to
the beginning of 1980.
Two of my older children have the P355 now, I never had a problem when
I used it. now I have the P11 to project 6x6 and 35mm slides., anyway
I shot MF during these lasts years talking about slides, except for
one 35mm roll, I'm waiting to use the Rollei/Agfa aerial 35mm slides I
have in the refrigerator..

Carlos.

Post by Allan Derickson
My old Rollei P35A slide projector, purchased new in Hong Kong in 1969, has
developed a focus problem. I just mounted a better lens, the Rollei-S-Projar
f/2.5 90mm, so perhaps the better lens made the problem more apparent. The
focus is different left to right on the projected image so I assume the
slide is misaligned in relation to the lens. Taking the cover off I can’t
see any obvious way to adjust this. Has anyone any experience with this?
Failing a DIY fix I’d probably look for a replacement on Ebay. I’d like to
keep and use my new lens. What are the better Rollei projectors? Is the P350
any good?
Allan

[Allan Derickson]

Just an update on the outcome of this issue: I tried to bend some metal tabs
that align the slide in its carriage. This helped a bit but caused some
intermittent jamming.



I bought a P350 AF on Ebay for $50 including shipping. It doesn't appear to
have ever been used. There was no plug on the line cord and the voltage was
set to 220V which is not used for household circuits in the USA. The remote
was still in a sealed bag. The grease on the gears was still soft (I had had
to clean and re-lubricate my old P35). The fan was a bit noisy so I put a
drop of sewing machine oil on its bearing and that quieted it down.



It works like new. The autofocus is fast and sure. The image is sharp from
side to side. The advantage of the S-Projar is seen mainly in the
highlights. The slides seem to sparkle now and have more depth.



It is nice to have a good projector again but it is sad to retire the old
P35 which gave faithful service for 44 years.



Allan



From: rollei_list-***@freelists.org
[mailto:rollei_list-***@freelists.org] On Behalf Of Allan Derickson
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 4:40 PM
To: Rollei List
Subject: [rollei_list] Rollei projector focus misalignment



My old Rollei P35A slide projector, purchased new in Hong Kong in 1969, has
developed a focus problem. I just mounted a better lens, the Rollei-S-Projar
f/2.5 90mm, so perhaps the better lens made the problem more apparent. The
focus is different left to right on the projected image so I assume the
slide is misaligned in relation to the lens. Taking the cover off I can't
see any obvious way to adjust this. Has anyone any experience with this?



Failing a DIY fix I'd probably look for a replacement on Ebay. I'd like to
keep and use my new lens. What are the better Rollei projectors? Is the P350
any good?



Allan

[CarlosMFreaza]

Congratulations Allan for the Rollei P350 AF projector, it really
seems like new according your description. Your old P35 provided good
service; I think 44 years are more than enough to recover the
investment.

Carlos

Post by Allan Derickson
Just an update on the outcome of this issue: I tried to bend some metal tabs
that align the slide in its carriage. This helped a bit but caused some
intermittent jamming.
I bought a P350 AF on Ebay for $50 including shipping. It doesn’t appear to
have ever been used. There was no plug on the line cord and the voltage was
set to 220V which is not used for household circuits in the USA. The remote
was still in a sealed bag. The grease on the gears was still soft (I had had
to clean and re-lubricate my old P35). The fan was a bit noisy so I put a
drop of sewing machine oil on its bearing and that quieted it down.
It works like new. The autofocus is fast and sure. The image is sharp from
side to side. The advantage of the S-Projar is seen mainly in the
highlights. The slides seem to sparkle now and have more depth.
It is nice to have a good projector again but it is sad to retire the old
P35 which gave faithful service for 44 years.
Allan
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 4:40 PM
To: Rollei List
Subject: [rollei_list] Rollei projector focus misalignment
My old Rollei P35A slide projector, purchased new in Hong Kong in 1969, has
developed a focus problem. I just mounted a better lens, the Rollei-S-Projar
f/2.5 90mm, so perhaps the better lens made the problem more apparent. The
focus is different left to right on the projected image so I assume the
slide is misaligned in relation to the lens. Taking the cover off I can’t
see any obvious way to adjust this. Has anyone any experience with this?
Failing a DIY fix I’d probably look for a replacement on Ebay. I’d like to
keep and use my new lens. What are the better Rollei projectors? Is the P350
any good?
Allan