Kowa Six film transport trouble

[LCEL]

Since a week my Kowa Six is having problems with the film transport.
The first 6 or 7 frames are OK but then the remaining frames are partly double exposed by a quarter (approx.) frame.
Just to check I ran a test with a new roll and after releasing the shutter and before rewinding I made a marking point on the back of the film. (With the back open.)
After removing the film after 12 exposures I checked the distance of the 12 marking points I made, and they are spot on, no difference in frame distance at all!

I shot nummerous rolls of film with it without any problems, but the last three rolls all have the semi-double exposures on the last 5 or 6 frames.

Perhaps there is someone on APUG with similar experiences and hopefully a solution for this problem.

Best regards,
LCEL.

 

[spacer]

Was the pressure plate properly set for the film you were using?

 

[LCEL]

Spacer, thank you for your reply.

I checked the position of the pressure plate and it was alligned to 12 (120 roll film).
After some searching I found the manual that came with the camera and went trough it from beginning to end and noticed that the hinged door could be removed.
So I took it off, detached the pressure plate and closely examined the mechanism.
There was plenty of dirt between the coils of both springs, so I cleaned those and the roller, put very little amount of lubicration on the pivoting axles. Cleaned everything again.
Then I cleaned both the surfaces where the film glides over during film transportation, there was some dirt on these, checked the big roller and upper and lower take up for the upper and lower spool, those seems to be fine.
Put the back door on again after a final cleaning with dry air.

Now there is a fresh roll of Tri-X in it, and I put the Kowa together with my Yashica Mat in my camera bag and will shoot some rolls tomorrow.

Best reagrds,
LCEL.

 

[André E.C.]

Be easy when cranking, the film transport mechanism it's very sensitive.
If you bend the spring, you're in trouble.


Cheers!

 

[spacer]

One of my SIXes already lost the crank lever at some point, but I just use the knob anyway for just that reason.

 

[LCEL]

Just developed the film I shot this morning with the Kowa Six and much to my relief all the frames are even spaced with no sem-double exposures!
I am going to put the 55 mm lens on and shoot some landscape at sunset tonight.

Happy regards,
LCEL.