Horizon 202 Banding

BenZucker · Sep 17, 2009

So I have had the 202 for a few months now, I just came across a roll that i shot a few weeks ago and see that there is banding on most of the frames of that one roll. (this was an expired roll of tmax 3200 if that matters) The rolls that I have shot since then seem to be fine, (ill be processing an other roll in the AM that I shot today) Assuming this next roll is fine my question is this: what caused the banding on this one roll of film? Is a CLA in order? Any help would be appreciated.

DBP · Sep 17, 2009

Vertical banding?

BenZucker · Sep 17, 2009

yes vertical, about a the with of the sprocket holes (I don't think its and agitation issue because the other rolls of mine on that same rack of the processor were fine )

BenZucker · Sep 18, 2009

no banding on the roll i shot yesterday, any thoughts?

Jesper · Sep 18, 2009

Uneven movement of the lens comes to mind.
Perhaps the gears need some CLA.
Banding on a Widelux is usually due to dirt in the gears and the Horizon is also a swing lens camera.

Sputnik · Sep 19, 2009

It certainly sounds like uneven lensmovement to me, a fairly common problem with this camera. I certainly had it on mine. CLA as well as frequent use is recomended. Also do not leave the shutter cocked when not in use.

Karl K · Sep 19, 2009

Sounds like old film/processing

BenZucker said:
So I have had the 202 for a few months now, I just came across a roll that i shot a few weeks ago and see that there is banding on most of the frames of that one roll. (this was an expired roll of tmax 3200 if that matters) The rolls that I have shot since then seem to be fine, (ill be processing an other roll in the AM that I shot today) Assuming this next roll is fine my question is this: what caused the banding on this one roll of film? Is a CLA in order? Any help would be appreciated.

Banding will appear as very narrow vertical dark/light streaks. The problem you describe seems more likely to be related to an old roll of B+W ultra high speed film/processing. Since subsequent rolls have been OK, I doubt the problem lies with your 202 camera.

BenZucker · Sep 19, 2009

well to those who posted they had this issue, did it happen consistently or was it an every once an a while type of thing?

Mick Fagan · Sep 19, 2009

Ben, I have had my 202 for 15 years now, it gets intermittent use.

I have had banding, but usually after certain conditions have been met.

Firstly, the camera hasn't been used for a while and cool weather.

Secondly, it is cool to cold weather, the camera is being used on the slow swing speed.

Over the years I have used mine in extremes of heat and cold. I know that if it is cold enough for snow, then the camera will sometimes not run well on the slow swing speed, I get banding!

If I take the camera out after a couple of months of no usage, then I may get banding on the slow swing speed, unless I cock and release the shutter a number of times on both speeds before loading a film, then going out and shooting.

Mine is a reasonable unit, bought in 1994 on a whim. Once I learnt it's foibles, I have been very happy with it.

Mick.

Tony Egan · Sep 19, 2009

I often experienced banding and flaring from direct or reflected light sources. It's the nature of swing lens cameras. It's hard to predict because you are looking through a static viewfinder but the lens is pointing in many directions during its arc. If you are finicky about "perfection" it will probably drive you mad eventually! I sold mine after a few months of experimentation mainly because I could see very few applications for the kind of photography I like.

thebanana · Sep 19, 2009

When they work, they work like a dream. Kind of like owning an MGB

MattKing · Sep 20, 2009

thebanana said:
When they work, they work like a dream. Kind of like owning an MGB

Except with a Horizon 202, you probably won't have the satisfaction of knowing that you are responsible for funding the mechanic's children's university educations .

Matt

somak · Sep 20, 2009

I think I've seen an earlier thread discussing similar issues. I remember someone mentioned about some slight light leak which aggrevates if the camera is kept idle for longer times. Photos taken in quick succession are not generally affected. So keeping the camera in dark enclosure when not in use was recommended. I think slower ISO films or some DIY lens/slit cover might help

BenZucker · Sep 20, 2009

somak said:
I think I've seen an earlier thread discussing similar issues. I remember someone mentioned about some slight light leak which aggrevates if the camera is kept idle for longer times. Photos taken in quick succession are not generally affected. So keeping the camera in dark enclosure when not in use was recommended. I think slower ISO films or some DIY lens/slit cover might help

I don't think that this is it, all the pictures on the roll were shot within an hour, and I use that camera at least once a week. I have a fresh roll of 3200 speed in there now, if that turns out fine I guess Ill call it ok, i have my fingers crossed....

goodfood · Sep 23, 2009

I use my 202 over one years. I only wind the shutter before shot. So far no problem. Only if I wind the shutter after one shot and forgot how long I take the next shot will show the lines. I used the camera from -10 C to + 30 C no problem.

BenZucker · Sep 23, 2009

Well I shot and processed 3 more rolls yesterday, they look totaly fine... I think the issue was a bad roll of outdated film.... Knock on wood

Horizon 202 Banding

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