Koni Omega film back issue.

[Kyle M.]

So heres the deal, I recently bought a near mint Koni Rapid Omega 200 with one 120 back. Thankfully the frame spacing is good, the issue is an entirely different conundrum. As I shoot and advance the film the backing paper slowly walks up the take up spool and out and around the flange. Strangely enough the images remain centered on the film, even though you can tell this starts happening early on in the roll by looking at the exposed roll of film. Now this wouldn't be a problem except that sometimes when I unload the camera one edge of the last one or two frames gets a little bit of fogging. It doesn't always happen but more often than not it does. Has anyone ever seen this problem with an Omega film back and if so is there a fix besides hunting down and buying another back, or unloading in complete darkness?

 

[Kyle M.]

I knew that the pressure plate withdrew when you advance the film, but I've never looked at it to see if it was withdrawing evenly. I'll have to check it out when I get home.

 

[Chazzy]

The back probably needs a CLA, and Greg Weber is the man to do it. His email address is gweber@webercamera.com.

 

[Konical]

Good Afternoon, Kyle,

Be sure that the take-up spool is firmly clicked into the correct position and that you have carefully fed the paper backing squarely into the take-up slot. Any small error at the beginning leads to greater misplacement as the film is advanced.

It might be worth using a long-outdated roll of film as a test roll to run through the back while it's off the camera. Maybe you can spot the problem that way.

Konical

 

[Kyle M.]

I pulled the advance clutch apart, cleaned it, and re-lubed it, and while I now have silky smooth advance I still have the same issue. Of course I'm also having a hard time seeing where anything could be mis-aligned, and the pressure plate is releasing tension evenly. This is very strange indeed.

 

[MattKing]

Maybe the pressure plate is restoring tension unevenly.

Is there anything sticky on the pressure plate?

 

[Kyle M.]

Maybe the pressure plate is restoring tension unevenly.

Is there anything sticky on the pressure plate?

Nope nothing sticky, pressure plate is clean as can be, honestly this thing looks like it's never been used.

 

[MattKing]

Is the takeup spool moving more than it should?

 

[Kyle M.]

The take up spool doesn't have any play in it and the latch that holds it in place seems to have plenty of tension on it. If I run a roll through it with the back removed from the camera all is fine. As soon as I insert it into the camera body or the insert and run it through it starts acting up. Almost as if the two aren't lining up right, but I don't see anything that looks out of place.

 

[MattKing]

Could the problem be with the feed spool? Is it being pushed up when you attach the back?

 

[Kyle M.]

It's possible that it's the feed side causing the problem, I didn't even think of that. I'll have to check it out.

 

[Kyle M.]

There doesn't seem to be anything rubbing or binding when I put the back on the camera, whatever the issue is it's either not simply seen or I'm simply not looking in the right place. I guess for now I will just unload the camera in a dark bag, which is only a minor inconvenience considering I very rarely shoot more than one roll at a time. Maybe I'll eventually get the back CLA'd or pick up another 120 back.