Film rebate not clear on Rollei

kbrede · Jan 21, 2013

I ran a roll through the Rolleiflex I just bought from Krimar Photo. On the right hand side of the negative, there's a thin black line, maybe a millimeter thick, running down the entire edge. On a few frames there's a black blob that almost reaches the image negative. All other rebates are clear.

This doesn't appear to be an issue ATM but I'm afraid it might become one. I hate to ship the camera back to Krimar for repair. Is there an easy fix to this?

thanks,

railwayman3 · Jan 21, 2013

If the line is right at the edge of the film, it could be just be fogging from a small light leakage down the edge of the film spool before or after the film was in the camera.

Could be simply that the backing paper was not quite lined up centrally on the spool (hence down one side of the film, with the "blobs" where the leakage was greatest) and/or the film loaded in bright light or allowed to stand in the light for too long.

It used to be a fairly common problem with box-type cameras having simple winding mechanisms, so you may like to check your loading method and the winding on your Rollei just to be sure.

cjbecker · Jan 21, 2013

Is it a dotted line. Like a sprocket ran on it.

Jeff L · Jan 21, 2013

I would add make sure the film and paper are wound snugly on the spool before and after loading to help prevent this.

kbrede · Jan 21, 2013

cjbecker said:
Is it a dotted line. Like a sprocket ran on it.

Nope, it's a continuous line.

kbrede · Jan 21, 2013

Thanks all. I will watch and be more careful with my loading next time. I've loaded my Mamiya RZ67 several times with no issues, so I just assumed it was the camera in error.
Thanks,

Dan Daniel · Jan 21, 2013

To be certain, keep the film out of bright light after removing it from the camera. Most times I can leave an unprotected exposed roll of 120 on my desk, say, without any problems. But every now and then a roll shows what you describe.

I've never used an RZ67 but maybe the removal of the exposed spool is easier on its back? The Rolleiflex can be fiddly and can allow for a bit of unwinding of the film while oyu try to grab an edge and hold the spool knob out and such at the same time.

kbrede · Jan 21, 2013

Dan Daniel said:
To be certain, keep the film out of bright light after removing it from the camera. Most times I can leave an unprotected exposed roll of 120 on my desk, say, without any problems. But every now and then a roll shows what you describe.

I've never used an RZ67 but maybe the removal of the exposed spool is easier on its back? The Rolleiflex can be fiddly and can allow for a bit of unwinding of the film while oyu try to grab an edge and hold the spool knob out and such at the same time.

One thing, I don't have to pull as much paper out to get it on the take up reel. I just watched a video of a guy load a Rollei and he wound less paper onto the take up reel than I did. I wound until I saw the indicator arrow on the paper, and then closed the lid.

BrianShaw · Jan 21, 2013

Some films (manufacturers0 are more prone to that kind of leakage than others. The major brands (Kodak, Ilford) are pretty good unless the spool is loose. Bergger was wicked in that respect -- I think they made their backing paper a tenth of a millimeter too narrow!

250swb · Jan 21, 2013

Adox is (was) another with a big problem for fogging the edges of the film, the paper backing isn't very accurate like with Ilford, and the film would need to be loaded and unloaded in subdued light.

So there is a plan, load and unload in very subdued light. If the fogging has gone or is better you are closer to discovering the cause.

Steve

kbrede · Feb 10, 2013

Just to wrap this up, the camera is fine. I loaded and unloaded in a darkened hallway and both rebate strips were clear. I also didn't wrap as much paper onto the uptake spool, before closing the door, as I did the first time.

Thanks all!

George Collier · Feb 10, 2013

You may see various small amounts of rebate fog with your Rollei from time to time. I think it is just difficult to do everything right all the time;
Keep the load and rewind in the dark, keep the paper tight when doing both, etc. It's a kind of primitive system, if you think about it. Just work on your technique.
I have a 3.5T that occasionally has fogging up into the first frame or two, and I never know why.

Sirius Glass · Feb 10, 2013

250swb said:
Adox is (was) another with a big problem for fogging the edges of the film, the paper backing isn't very accurate like with Ilford, and the film would need to be loaded and unloaded in subdued light.

So there is a plan, load and unload in very subdued light. If the fogging has gone or is better you are closer to discovering the cause.

Steve

I would recommend that the OP shoot a roll of Kodak or Ilford film, carefully tightening the roll before sealing and protecting the film from bright lights. If the problem occurs on these conditions, then the body or door or both are out of alignment or the light seal needs to be replaced.

tessar · Feb 11, 2013

Hi Kenton, the Rolleiflex has automatic advancing to the first frame by means of two rollers between which the film is loaded, a unique Rolleiflex feature. It's why the guy in the video didn't have to advance the film up to the index marks, which you have to do with every other TLR I know.

George Collier · Feb 12, 2013

tessar - my 3.5T doesn't take the film between the rollers (it doesn't have 2 rollers, I have to reference the arrows on this camera), but the 3.5F I have does. I don't think all Rolleis have the double roll system.

Film rebate not clear on Rollei

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