Rolleicord: no counter reset button

[will_a.]

<p>Hi all,<br>

Does anyone know how to reset the film counter on a rolleicord that does NOT have a counter reset button? </p>

<p>I have what I believe to be a Rolleicord model iiC (serial #: 971***; Triotar 3.5 taking lens and Heidoscop-Anatigmat 3.2 viewing lens, both of which have bayonet filter mounts) but this camera has NO FILM COUNTER RESET BUTTON as many of the other models do. It has a german exposure chart on the back so I think it is was a domestic german model. <br>

<br>

The only way that I have figured out how to reset the counter is by manually rolling the wheel that catches on the film to move the counter back to 1 when I start a new roll of film but this is a real pain and I end up at 4 on the counter by the time I reach the first frame. I then have to remember to shoot 4 frames after the counter hits 12. There must be something that I am missing...</p>

<p>Thanks! Any help would be appreciated! </p><div></div>

[dhbebb]

<p>In my collector's guide this camera is called a Rolleicord II Type 4. I have owned a couple of Rolleicords over the years and also several Rolleiflexes, AFAIK none of them had a counter reset button, the counter reset automatically when the back was opened. Sounds like something is stuck!</p>

[fwstutterheim]

<p>My Rolleicords are of a later date (III and Va). When the back is opened, a spring loaded lever is released that resets the counter. It is located between the film gate and the side of the camera. The rim of the camera back pushes the lever in when the back is closed. That starts the counter. See if this lever is present and check it for free movement. You can push it by hand. If not try to free it by pushing repeatedly. The lever may be chrome (III) or black (Va).</p>

[will_a.]

<p>Thank you for the responses! It looks like the lever that resets the counter when the back is open is missing... I opened up the back and there is absolutely nothing around the rim. Should this be located near the film advance knob?</p>

[fwstutterheim]

<p>Hello Will,</p>

<p>This morning I took a better look at the picture of your camera and checked it against a few reference images. First of all you were right about the (lack of the) reset button. Cords I and II have a reset button. The automatic reset David and I described was introduced with model III.</p>

<p>The serial number of your camera is that of a model IIc (or II type 4). The picture shows the side wall of a later camera. The black aperture scale for DOF and the focusing knob with ASA and DIN settings are of a later camera, probably a V. The transport knob and the strap hinge look right for a II. A model V side wall would explain the missing of the reset button. The DOF scale of a II is chrome.</p>

<p>The lever I described is hard to miss. Looking at the back it is just below the take-up spool, near the film transport knob. Near the upper right corner of the square opening. That lever missing brings me to the preliminary conclusion that you may have a hybrid II/V camera without any counter reset option. At some time someone may have exchanged the side wall for one of a later model. That would have made the camera unusable as you have found out. If you have purchased it recently a good reason to send it back.</p>

<p>If you want me and others to look into it any further we would need more pictures of all sides.</p>

<p>Best regards,<br>

Ferdi.</p>

<p> </p>

[will_a.]

<p>Ferdi: Wow! I really wonder what happened. Luckily the camera is still usable and I have taken some nice shots with it. It is just a hassle to use since I have to manual set the counter and it reaches 12 with four frames left (but then again, not really a big deal). </p>

<p>It belonged to my grandfather and who died in 1980 and it hasn't really been used since. I know his wife did get it serviced sometime in the 80's at a place called PTS in Tucson AZ. A google search didn't turn anything up though... Perhaps at this time the side was replaced.</p>

<p>I took some more photos of it that you can see here:

<p>Thanks!</p>

[fwstutterheim]

<p>Your camera has "COMPUR" printed under the taking lens en both lenses have a bayonet in size 1. That is OK for a Rolleicord IIc (II type 4). Earlier ones had none or just one bayonet and later ones had "Franke & Heidecke" printed under the taking lens. It is wonderful to own a camera that has been in the family for so long time. </p>

[JRCrowe]

<p>You could try wrapping an empty spool with string and pulling it to rewind the counter. If that doesn't provide enough torque you could wrap a spool with film on it. </p>

[fwstutterheim]

<p>Will, <br>

4 Frames left when the counter reaches 12 means that the film was not advanced far enough when the first exposure was made. It also means that your first frames were exposed on the backing paper, not the film. I suppose that manually resetting the counter makes it difficult to load the film correctly because the counter is always engaged and starts counting too early. Is it possible to manually disengage the counter mechanism when you load the film and advance it to the correct position? I am thinking of pushing the axis in the film take-up chamber down so that the "counting wheel" is kept clear of the backing paper on the spool. I realise this can only be done so long as the roll is loose.<br>

On either side of the film gate are two marks. From one of your pictures it looks like the red paint has faded and I see just two small indents (Picture showing a yellow sticker). After putting the film in the camera pull the backing paper by hand until the double arrow shows. This arrow has to be aligned with the marks. More or less aligned is OK. Now feed the film into the take-up spool and wind while manually disengaging the counter. Try to keep the "counting wheel" in the take-up chamber clear of the backing paper while winding until tight. If this can be done you will hopefully get 12 exposures when the counter proceeds from 1 - 12. Good luck!</p>

<p>Ferdi.</p>

[glen_h]

<p>Seems that you want to rewind the counter to -3, such that it will get to 1 when the first frame is ready. It has to work that way when the normal reset works.</p>