[rollei_list] Re: loading the Automat
- From: "Richard Knoppow" <dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 23:27:42 -0800
----- Original Message -----
From: <wamyers@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 2:00 PM
Subject: [rollei_list] loading the Automat
Hi guys--
I have been following the discussion of shutter cock and
film advance with
interest, as I have what may be a related problem with my
Automat 3: After
the first exposure on a new roll, I cannot advance the
film till I have
released the shutter a second time (I cover the lens to
avoid double
exposing the first frame). From frame 2 to frame 12 all
works as it should
(and the shots come out fine). I cannot tell without
experimentation (I
will now sacrifice a roll of film) whether this is due to
a malfunction or
my ignorance about exactly how far to advance the film
when loading. I
bought the camera last summer, did not get good
instructions from the
seller, and have dealt with this problem (intermittantly)
ever since. To
eliminate one variable: exactly where should the arrow on
the film backing
end up before closing the back of the camera? Perhaps the
problem is my not
advancing far enough?
Thanks
Bill Myers
As others have stated the "automatic" part of the
Rolleiflex Automat is that it feels the start of the film
and does not need to have the film set to match arrows on
the backing or to a start number in a red window. To thread
the automat the film leader should go in between the two
bottom rollers. You can test the camera with the aid of two
items: First is a dummy film roll made by winding some tape
on one end of an empty roll. Masking tape works fine. Wind
several layers. The other tool is simply a business card or
paper of similar thickness folded in two and pushed in
between the two rollers. This should release the pawl and
mimic the start of the film. Place the dummy roll in the top
compartment with the tape under the toothed wheel. When the
camera is closed it should wind as though there were film in
it. Each winding should cock the shutter and advance the
counter. The wind will remain locked until the shutter is
released. Then the crank should move freely until the next
frame is wound. The only difference is that the crank motion
will be the same distance each time since the diameter of
the dummy spool does not change. After twelve windings and
trippings of the shutter the crank should wind freely.
In normal operation the backing paper is threaded between
the two rollers and over the top roller and onto the take up
spool at the top. The spool is wound a little to insure the
end of the leader is firmly gripped by the spool. Then the
back is closed and the crank advanced until it stops. The
crank winds freely until the thicker part of the film where
the film is taped to the paper backing goes between the
rollers. That releases the metering mechanism (which also
lifts the upper roller away from the film). Once past the
join where the film starts the crank will wind just enough
further to move the first frame of film into the gate. Then
it stops. The crank is then returned to neutral which
unlocks the shutter trip. When the shutter is tripped it
again releases the crank which will wind the next frame and
then stop again. This continues until the roll is finished.
I am stating this to make sure we are all in the same
place. If you are threading the film correctly and the crank
is _not_ released after tripping the shutter the problem may
be sticky lubricant in some part of the mechanism or
possibly failure of the mechanism to fully cock the shutter.
There is an internal adjustment for the cocking lever
movement. The movement of this lever is to some degree
affected by the focus position so, when you have the dummy
roll in the camra, if there is a problem see if it happens
at both focus extremes. If you have this problem the camera
needs to go to a good technician for adjustment or possible
replacement of a worn part. Even mis-assembly of the front
of the camera can cause this problem.
Its also possible some part of the wind and metering
mechanism is sticky due to old lubricant. This also is a job
for a good technician who can clean and relubricate it and
adjust other things during that job.
If the film is not threaded right, i.e., its over instead
of under the roller, it will just wind continuously until
its all on the take up side. I don't think this is your
problem but, again, stated the correct threading method to
make sure.
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
---
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