sean_fitzgerald1 Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 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!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_coyle Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_fitzgerald1 Posted June 10, 2002 Author Share Posted June 10, 2002 Oh man, you've got to be kidding me? HAHA no way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_schank Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_fitzgerald1 Posted June 10, 2002 Author Share Posted June 10, 2002 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_schank Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norman_miller Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 Sean, in polite language, screw that pdf and do it right. Over the roller. NM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_schank Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_fitzgerald1 Posted June 10, 2002 Author Share Posted June 10, 2002 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!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich815 Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msitaraman Posted June 10, 2002 Share Posted June 10, 2002 I have a Rolleicord. Over the rollers it is. Good luck with your newest roll! ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_kolosky Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_fitzgerald1 Posted June 11, 2002 Author Share Posted June 11, 2002 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? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_bergman1 Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_bowling1664874721 Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 Not all flexes. My T is exactly the same as a 'cord. I have both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick roadnight cotswolds Posted June 11, 2002 Share Posted June 11, 2002 In Switzerland (St Gallen I think) I came accross a shop which had several MF cameras in stock, but no 120 film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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