My first encounter with medium format

[sean_fitzgerald1]

OK, here is how it happened.

 

I picked up an old Rolleicord at a camera store a few weeks ago,

brought it home and ordered some 120 roll film from B&H a few days

later. While I waited for the film to arrive, I played around with

the camera in every way I could. I got instructions off of the

internet for it, printed it out and read them a few times. I was

really scared, with good reason, about learning how to load it,

also.

 

My film arrives; 5 rolls of T-Max 400. I attempt to load it. First I

followed the horrible instructions I got in the internet by entering

my first roll into the bottom compartment, under the slot, over the

lens area, through the next slot, and onto the take up spool. Wound

it until I got to the arrows, just like it says, and popped the top

back on. I open the window at the bottom to attempt to see when I

get at the first frame. It never shows up and the tension as I wind

is getting greater as I go so I figure it most only be on certain

films. This is a test roll anyway. I fire off about 4 shots to

finally see the 1 in the bottom window. Darn. No biggie, but now the

film is almost impossible to wind. I continue doing this until I get

to about frame 4 and the film it is no longer possible to wind the

film. I literally have band-aids over my thumb and index fingers

now. No I�m not kidding. J

 

I decide since it�s a test roll, its not that big of a deal, I am

however a little upset at this point because I thought it might

actually work out. I open the back completely to see what the heck

is going on. It looks all right. I didn�t care that I had exposed

the film, I wanted to learn how to finally get this film into the

blasted camera. I end up tearing the film out because I could no

longer wind it.

 

I try a new roll this time optimistic. I get it to frame 7 this

time! My blisters got worse but now at frame 7 it�s impossible to

wind the film any longer. I decide to take it all out and develop it

to see if anything even worked. Stupid me, I took out the spool in a

very dim room, but its obvious in the negatives that a lot of light

leaked anyway. It is only on the sides though, so I know its from my

poor handling, not the camera.

 

Anyway, the negatives look good except for the horrible light

leakage on the sides. But, what the heck am I doing wrong here? I

wish I had not gotten off on a bad foot with medium format, it looks

like a fun thing to experiment with. Hopefully I will figure this

out soon! Thanks!!

[simon_coyle]

This happened to me, after I followed some instructions on the internet. As far as I know, the film goes over the silver rollers, not under them.

[sean_fitzgerald1]

Oh man, you've got to be kidding me? HAHA no way.

[andrew_schank]

Over the rollers on the Rolleicord, under the rollers on the Rolleiflex. You are not the first one to do it incorrectly! I have both cameras and have to remind myself when loading an important roll.

 

Look here under Rolleicord V instructions: http://people.smu.edu/rmonagha/mf/rollei/rollei_manuals.htm

[sean_fitzgerald1]

Thanks! But, on page 18 of that PDF, it says to go under the first and over the second, are you sure about going over both? thanks again.

[andrew_schank]

Then its a typo. My instructions show the film going over both rollers. I'm absolutely certain you go on top of both rollers when loading the Cord-try it and see with one of the rolls you messed up. I've had my camera for 20 years and never had a loading problem doing it this way. I did have to have the transport serviced once as the spacing was off from time to time, but since then it gives me 12 perfectly spaced images on every roll.

[norman_miller]

Sean, in polite language, screw that pdf and do it right. Over the roller.

 

NM

[andrew_schank]

I just downloaded the instructions you looked at and saw the wrong instructions you followed. That could be a misplaced page from a Flex manual unless the very last version of the Cords (Vb)loaded that way. I emailed the person who runs that site and pointed out the error that has probably messed up film for more than a few Rollei newbees.

[sean_fitzgerald1]

Wow, you guys have all been a huge help. You're invaluable. I just loaded a new roll and it seems to work so far, I will shoot it tomorrow and keep you all posted if you dont mind. Thanks alot, again!!

[rich815]

And your light leaks may not be just from your handling. I bought an old Rolleicord and the seals were bad and every roll had poor light-leaked sides. I bought some black yarn and shoved it in the grooves and glued it down a little in the corners. Worked great.

[msitaraman]

I have a Rolleicord. Over the rollers it is. Good luck with your newest roll!

 

;-)

[kevin_kolosky]

what I can't figure out is why, after picking the camera up at a camera store, you ordered five rolls of film from b and h. didn't the place where you bought the camera have film for it.

[sean_fitzgerald1]

Thanks, and no, they no longer carry 120 film because in my area, they told me, no one really uses 120 film any longer. So buying and stocking it, only to keep it in the fridge was costing them more money than they actually made selling it. Sucks, don't it? :)

[marc_bergman1]

That is strange.

 

I just downloaded that same pdf manual last night and was looking at it this morning. When they showed the swing out film wind crank on the right side of the camera I knew something was wrong.

 

I just ordered a Vb on E***. It will be great to have a roll film camera again. I must remember "over the rollers for a 'cord under the rollers for a 'flex.

[tom_bowling1664874721]

Not all flexes. My T is exactly the same as a 'cord. I have both.

[dick roadnight cotswolds]

In Switzerland (St Gallen I think) I came accross a shop which had several MF cameras in stock, but no 120 film.