Rollei SL66 uneven exposure.

[mi_zhou2]

I recently acquired an used Rollei SL66 to start a new project. Just love the camera, but have a big

problem: negatives came out with uneven exposed image, especially on images with sky or bright scene.

The left and right edges are always slightly over exposed, and sky never looks even. I've tried with 2

different lenses and 2 backs, same thing happens, checked the camera, it seems light-tight, all inside

black paint looks fine...

 

Anybody knows what's wrong? Many Thanks!<div></div>

[mi_zhou2]

I also tested side-by-side with other 2 medium format cameras. The result is obvious. Really

confused...

[david_dorcich1]

Is it the same in all of the frames, and is it only in the highlights?

[mi_zhou2]

It's in almost all frames, but more obvious in scenes with highlights and light even

background, like sand, white wall... I'm still shooting with it, about 100 rolls of film by now,

but it bothers me all the time.

[mi_zhou2]

One more sample. Both backs all look light tight.<div></div>

[antonio_garcia_russell]

I would guess that it may be a failing shutter curtain that is letting light in but really the

only way to find out for sure is to send it in for a service. The fact that it is on both sides

says to me that it is not the magazine because only one side is exposed to the light.

[bob_sunley]

I'd guess binding shutter curtain transport causing slow speed at start and end and wavering speed in the middle causing the banding.

 

Time for a CLA.

[mi_zhou2]

The only thing I'm unable to check is the focal plane shutter. But, the shutter travels in

vertical direction, and uneven exposure is at left-right side, not top-bottom... Maybe i

should send out for service.

 

More photos taken by this camera can be viewed at my website:

http://zhoumi.net/Gallery/OceanBeach/OceanBeach.htm

[d_purdy]

You are barking up the wrong tree. Your problem is in uneven film processing. You have

edge surge from a bad agitation technique. It is difficult to get rid of it completely if you

are processing in stainless steel daylight tanks. You might have to try leaving the top reel

empty and leaving an air space in the can.

[mi_zhou2]

I've been developing my own BW films for 10 years now, and never had this problem with

films shot by other medium format cameras, even when develop both in same plastic tank.

[richard_]

Looks like an light-leak to me caused by faulty mag. or cloth shutter. I used to own a SL66, and while i loved it i had nothing but problems with it - one similar to yours and others. I eventually sent it in for repairs to Harry Fleenor - harry@rolleirepair.com

Good luck....

[mi_zhou2]

Thank you all. I've contacted Mr. Harry, and will send it in for examination and necessary

repairs. It will take 3 months.

[john_stockdale2]

Has Mr Fleenor looked at your test picture? Although the camera will definitely be in top condition after he has worked on it, I still have my doubts that it's a camera problem. I have had an SL66 with a shutter out of adjustment, and as has been noted by a previous poster, the fault shows up as a change in exposure from top to bottom, not on the sides.

 

Light leaks in the bellows might be a possibility. You might be able to check that yourself. If it is the case, there will be a difference between frames taken just after winding on and a frame taken when the camera has been wound on for a long time (because of the different amounts of time for light to enter).

 

You might be able to detect light leaks by inspection in a dark place with a bright lamp to search for leaks.

 

The film development problem seems like a possible cause to me. Maybe it's worth trying using a different tank and different agitation.

[q.g._de_bakker]

It looks like a processing effect to me too. Expose a film and let someone else process it for you.<br>If that turns out o.k., you know it's not the camera. If that one is also not as it should be, it's still possible that it is a processing error.

[antonio_garcia_russell]

If it was a processing error he would have had the same results with the other two cameras

he tried. Also, I dont see how processing could expose exactly the same part of each frame,

only exposure does that. Processing will affect the lower part as well as the upper parts of

the frame.

[antonio_garcia_russell]

Zhou - yikes, 3 months!!

 

There are other, equally reputable repairmen who will fix it much quicker than that. Have

you tried Jurgen?

[mi_zhou2]

I'll test again with some color films, and send to pro lab for machine process. I bought a Voigtlander Bessa 6x9 from Jurgen not long ago, will contact him, if film still shows the

problem. Thanks.

[simus]

Hi,

 

Mi Zhou,

 

I have same problem. In my case it should depends on bad development technique. It

seldom happens but happens, anyway. I have not understood yet where it came from.

Someone told me that it is caused by little streams which creates inside the tank during

preocess. Someone else added that it caused by non corrected mix of the chemicals once

put into the water. Did you get any answer on the issue.?

 

Antonio

Did

[mi_zhou2]

Hey Antonio, Thanks for your input.

 

I have to admit that it was my problem. I sent a color film to pro lab, it turned out perfect

even, then i changed my agitation method, more upside down rotation, it's much better

now. Now another issue, it seems there are few bubbles at film edge refuse to go away, i

did tap the tank every time after agitation. Do you have any good suggestion?

Here're some new photos: http://www.zhoumi.net/gallery.html

 

I'm still puzzling, the film came from Rollei sl66 seems more sensitive to agitation than

those from other cameras. Maybe i'm wrong again.

[simus]

It is a long term learning. I still have, sometimes problems without understanging, very

well what is going As form the bubbles I am, now sttuggling with Rollei Ortho. I never

experienced air bubbles except for this film. this let me initially think about an emulsion

problem. but i am sure there is something wrong in my agitation.I have noticed that

sometimes normal agitation works better, some othr time i prefer to agitate by spining the

knob. What I can say is that any single film / developper has its own caracheristics so

that it behaviour may differ..Anyway pre soak might helping avoiding air bubble.

 

 

Antonio

[mi_zhou2]

Hi Antonio,

 

I used to spin the knob + gentle agitation, but it's also the main cause of uneven negative for

me. I always do pre soaking... You're right, It is a long term learning.

 

Mi

[jasonrobertjones]

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to reach out and see if processing was the final verdict. I have had the same issue with 3 out of 5 rolls of Kodak T Max 100 I have put through a recently purchased Hasselblad 501c. The photo of the stuffed elephant looks exactly like what I have been getting and the processing has been handled by a very reputable lab who has handeled all of my color slide film since 2012. I have also checked for light leaks on the back and have found nothing. The camera is in very good condition however I have not sent it out for CLA since I purchased it. As stated I have had two rolls come out without any issue which lead me to believe it was a processing error. Any insight is appreciated!