Mamiya 6 - folder- film spacing problem

[absalom1951]

On my Mamiya 6 Automat folder the film spacing needs adjusting . I would use the red window but The red window is so faded that using it causes a serious light problem . In fact, the red window is more like a pale orange. Has anyone ever adjusted the film spacing on a Mamiya 6 folder ? Or, any ideas on darkening the red window ?

 

[xya]

In "the old days", film and/or backing paper were thicker than now. So the roll would be thicker and hence move film a bit further if the automatic film advance is determined via turns of the roll. If the spacing is too tight on your camera, there is an easy trick to compensate to a certain degree: When you open a new roll, it's held together by a paper strip around the roll. Open it cautiously and leave this strip attached to the backing paper. Insert the paper strip into the take-up spool and wind. The beginnig of the backing paper will follow. Wind, until it's firmly engaged. Your spool core is now a little bit thicker than usual. This might solve your problem, just have a try. You can also attach 10 cm of backing paper to the start of your roll instead.

 

[shutterfinger]

Current backing paper is .004 inch (4mil) thick. Kodak and Ilford fims are .0045 inch (4.5mil) thick while Fuji are .0035 inch (3.5mil) thick.
Adding .008 to .012 inch thickness to the center of the take up spool will help. (2 to 3 turns of backing paper)

 

[absalom1951]

Thanks for the info xya and shutterfinger . I will give that a shot, .makes a lot of sense.

 

[absalom1951]

First I added 10 cm of backing paper to the take up spool . That was a little to much so I added 65 cm and that was better. I experimented with a roll of film that was junk so I could get the right thickness.
I'll try it out maybe this weekend to see how it goes.