Mamiya 6 folder loading/winding issues

DGS · May 21, 2021

Hi -- I'm new here and glad to be a member. I just received a Mamiya 6 V folder from Japan. I had been looking for a while for one, and finally found one with a decent, non-hazed lens. Now that I have it, I looked at some on-line loading videos, and I have an issue that I'm hoping someone here may be able to solve. My camera seems to have the 6x4.5 mask. However, I received it with the mask attached to the metal rollers, but the rollers are unattached from the inside of the camera. I'm assuming this means the camera arrived broken in that respect, is that correct? Also, when I load the camera and try to wind on to the first frame, I thought this model automatically stopped at counter #1, without needing to use the red window for the first frame. When I tried to do this, of course I wound the entire roll onto the take-up spool and wasted the roll. I tried re-rolling the backing paper to practice, but the same thing happened. Any suggestions? Many thanks in advance.

Wayne · May 21, 2021

Pictures. We need pictures.

But yah, you are the frame stopper in conjunction with the red window. I think only the automat version has frame advance

DGS · May 22, 2021

Wayne said:
Pictures. We need pictures.

But yah, you are the frame stopper in conjunction with the red window. I think only the automat version has frame advance

Thanks for the reply. Here are some pics.

Wayne · May 22, 2021

I have 10 more frames before I can open my 6 and compare. That may be a bit, but maybe someone else has an unloaded one so they can see whats going on with yours. I take it there's no obvious way to install the rollers and flaps?I've never tried to take mine out...

reddesert · May 22, 2021

I have an earlier version without the 6x4.5 mask. It's not with me so I can't directly compare, but I think your rollers look out of place, as if the roller-mask assembly is in backwards. The rollers should be in the position between the spool and film gate so that the film passes over them on each side of the gate.

Hopefully you have the removable pressure plate. The film is loaded so the paper leader passes under the clips with the arrow and then the pressure plate is slid in, on top of the leader and under the clips. Then you can close the back, wind to the "1" mark in the red window, at which point the exposure counter should also be on 1. Take exposure, flick the lever, wind and it should auto-stop on exposure 2, I think. Then flick the lever to release the wind lock and wind to 3, etc.

Did you see this video on how to load the Mamiya Six? He has a camera with a start mark and it auto-stops at frame 1, but I don't think they all do that. (Also someone in the comments says he puts the pressure plate in from the wrong side, but that's less critical.)

By the way, if you accidentally wind a roll of film all the way through, you can usually put it in a changing bag or darkroom and re-roll it by hand back onto an empty spool to re-use it.

Wayne · May 22, 2021

Yes, the roller ends should (unless broken, I cant see) go where the red arrows are. The flaps fold behind the roll of film when not in use for masking

DGS · May 22, 2021

reddesert said:
I have an earlier version without the 6x4.5 mask. It's not with me so I can't directly compare, but I think your rollers look out of place, as if the roller-mask assembly is in backwards. The rollers should be in the position between the spool and film gate so that the film passes over them on each side of the gate.

Hopefully you have the removable pressure plate. The film is loaded so the paper leader passes under the clips with the arrow and then the pressure plate is slid in, on top of the leader and under the clips. Then you can close the back, wind to the "1" mark in the red window, at which point the exposure counter should also be on 1. Take exposure, flick the lever, wind and it should auto-stop on exposure 2, I think. Then flick the lever to release the wind lock and wind to 3, etc.

Did you see this video on how to load the Mamiya Six? He has a camera with a start mark and it auto-stops at frame 1, but I don't think they all do that. (Also someone in the comments says he puts the pressure plate in from the wrong side, but that's less critical.)

By the way, if you accidentally wind a roll of film all the way through, you can usually put it in a changing bag or darkroom and re-roll it by hand back onto an empty spool to re-use it.

Thanks for the info. Yes, I did see that video. I really think the seller sent it to me with the rollers not installed. After I ruined the film, I kept the backing paper and re-rolled it for practice. I'll have to use a loupe to get a closer look at where and how the rollers and mask fit. I would think there should be screws there, but not sure. Also, the film advance knib is a bit tight to turn, so I hope that's not an issue.

DGS · May 22, 2021

Wayne said:
View attachment 275064

Yes, the roller ends should (unless broken, I cant see) go where the red arrows are. The flaps fold behind the roll of film when not in use for masking

Thanks, that's very helpful!

removed account4 · May 22, 2021

do you have the pressure plate that slides in between the film and those overhanging leaves with the arrows ? I had several of the older versions
and they all had those pressure plates ... they were essential to keep the film flat. a lot were sold without them that were useless..

DGS · May 22, 2021

jnantz said:
do you have the pressure plate that slides in between the film and those overhanging leaves with the arrows ? I had several of the older versions
and they all had those pressure plates ... they were essential to keep the film flat. a lot were sold without them that were useless..

Yes, I have the film pressure plate.

DGS · May 23, 2021

Well, I managed to re-attach the rollers/masks. I then switched the film type on the back of the camera to 6x4.5, and an interesting thing happened. When I advanced the winding knob, the advance auto-stopped at each frame out of 16 frames. I could advance again after each stop by moving the little lever, which is how I think this camera is supposed to work. But when I try the same thing on 6x6, it does not auto-stop. Instead, the number on the advance knob will stop moving, but the film will keep winding. I have to actually look through the red window for each frame to make sure it is correct (I am just using the spooled backing paper from the roll of film I ruined). Another interesting thing with 6x6: When the advance knob stops at the next number, and I check the red window, I still have to advance the film a bit before the correct next number shows in the red window. So for now, it loks like the camera will only work corectly when shooting 6x4.5. Strange....

Wayne · May 23, 2021

DGS said:
When the advance knob stops at the next number, and I check the red window, I still have to advance the film a bit before the correct next number shows in the red window

That may be because there is no film, only backing paper. It might line up when you use film because it will advance a little farther with each turn because of the additional thickness on the take-up spool.
Maybe.

Can't explain the rest because you have a different flavor of 6 than mine, although mine is dual format.

DGS · May 23, 2021

Wayne said:
That may be because there is no film, only backing paper. It might line up when you use film because it will advance a little farther with each turn because of the additional thickness on the take-up spool.
Maybe.

Can't explain the rest because you have a different flavor of 6 than mine, although mine is dual format.

Good point, hadn't thought of that.

Chivisto · Jan 12, 2024

DGS said:
Well, I managed to re-attach the rollers/masks. I then switched the film type on the back of the camera to 6x4.5, and an interesting thing happened. When I advanced the winding knob, the advance auto-stopped at each frame out of 16 frames. I could advance again after each stop by moving the little lever, which is how I think this camera is supposed to work. But when I try the same thing on 6x6, it does not auto-stop. Instead, the number on the advance knob will stop moving, but the film will keep winding. I have to actually look through the red window for each frame to make sure it is correct (I am just using the spooled backing paper from the roll of film I ruined). Another interesting thing with 6x6: When the advance knob stops at the next number, and I check the red window, I still have to advance the film a bit before the correct next number shows in the red window. So for now, it loks like the camera will only work corectly when shooting 6x4.5. Strange....

I know this is a little old, but were the rollers easy to mount back on? Do they remove easily if you were to try to remove them?

Mamiya 6 folder loading/winding issues

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