Adapt-a-roll 620 frame counter tension with 120 rolls?

aconbere · Nov 16, 2023

I recently got an Adapt-A-Roll and I'm trying to test if it's in working order. I put in a test roll of 120 (only backing paper, no film), and there isn't enough tension on the frame counter roller to actuate it.

But maybe that's normal? I've cleaned and lubricated the whole counter mechanism and it moves smoothly. It feels like there's a good chance that with a proper roll with film in it that it would work. But before I throw away a roll I thought I'd see if anyone has any experience!

Thanks!

abruzzi · Nov 16, 2023

very normal. Just paper doesn't work on the ones I have. I sucks to test with real film, but I think you have to.

aconbere · Nov 16, 2023

Great! Im excited to give this a shot.

Thanks!

Donald Qualls · Nov 21, 2023

Mine came to me with a toothed steel shaft attached to the counter ratchet, and after a roll with overlapping frames I determined there was supposed to have been a rubber roller surface coated onto that shaft. I wrapped 2-3 turns of friction tape on it and it seemed to count correctly.

aconbere · Nov 27, 2023

Finally got around to running a roll through for testing the back with … mixed results (ignoring my very dense negatives for a second).

First off the winding and frame spacing worked great! I was a tiny bit off on the starting position but otherwise got 9 well spaced frames.

However, every image was out of focus, and I think there might be a flange distance issue? I measure the ground glass at 0.1965 inches and the Adapt-A-Roll at 0.0990 inches. Has anyone had issues with this before?

Donald Qualls · Nov 28, 2023

The focus on mine seemed to be okay (haven't used it in a while, though). Does your ground glass give correct focus with standard film holders?

Dan Fromm · Nov 28, 2023

aconbere said:
However, every image was out of focus, and I think there might be a flange distance issue?

Hmm. I use AAR 620s with my 2x3 Graphics (> 1 AAR, > 1 Graphic), sometimes have out-of-focus shots or even rolls. So far careful checking has always found operator error. That's me, not the AAR.

OP, have you got well focused shots with other film holders?

aconbere · Nov 28, 2023

Well, I don’t have any sheet film holders

The camera didn’t come with any so i skipped that step and went directly to the adapt-a-roll. I did check the rangefinder and that seems dead on.

I’ll run another test roll in more controlled conditions since it was a wacky foggy day and all my negatives are very dense.

I attached an example - this was shot at either f5.6 or 8 focused on the trunk of the tree and I /think/ it might be focused maybe a yard or two in front of the tree in the chips?

Anyway, I’ll give it another go where I have better light and clearer subjects.

aconbere · Nov 28, 2023

Dan Fromm said:
Hmm. I use AAR 620s with my 2x3 Graphics (> 1 AAR, > 1 Graphic), sometimes have out-of-focus shots or even rolls. So far careful checking has always found operator error. That's me, not the AAR.

OP, have you got well focused shots with other film holders?

Hi Dan! Your posts on the Adapt-A-Roll are what inspired me to pick one up! Appreciate you weighing in.

Given this is my first roll with this camera, back, and lens I think there a bunch of places for errors to leak in. Seems like the right call is to pop in a roll and give it another go.

Donald Qualls · Nov 28, 2023

Been too long since I used mine to be much help, I fear. I should dig it up, finish the roll I left in it (in 2006?) and see if my frame spacing is better with the friction tape on the clicker drive roller...

Dan Fromm · Nov 28, 2023

aconbere said:
However, every image was out of focus, and I think there might be a flange distance issue? I measure the ground glass at 0.1965 inches and the Adapt-A-Roll at 0.0990 inches. Has anyone had issues with this before?

Hmm. Did you measure the AAR's depth with film loaded? Remember that the film surface, not the back of the backing paper, should be in register with the GG.

Also, for curiosity, which camera did you get it for?

reddesert · Nov 28, 2023

Standard film holder depth from front surface to film is 0.197" for 2x3, 3x4, and 4x5 holders (just search "film holder depth"). It is a bit deeper for 5x7 and 8x10. It seems impossible for the Adapt-a-roll to be 0.1" - a tenth of an inch would have to be shaved off the front plate. That would also cause a much larger focus error than the one in your photo. I would check to make sure you are getting the holder seated correctly in the camera back.

Adapt-a-roll 620 frame counter tension with 120 rolls?

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