Microcord TLR - only getting 10 negs per film

[jimper]

Hello,

Recently started using a Microcord TLR, but it winds on a long way before a lock stopped me. As a consequence the first part of the film is unexposed, and I end up with only 10 exposures instead of 12 (6x6).

Does anyone know if there is anything I can do to the mechanism to fix this?

The only workaround I can think of is to count the number of turns pre lock, and try reducing them for the next film.
However, this is a bit "guessy", and - depending on how the mechanism works - I might need to guess the windon between further exposures.

 

[Ian Grant]

You could try the MPP users club, I don't know if there's any information there. Unfortunately it sounds like the camera needs a service, and that would start at around £50

Welcome to APUG BTW

Ian

 

[ic-racer]

You are lining up with the correct marks on the film and camera etc. right, so you know it is a mechanical camera problem right?

 

[jimper]

Ian - It has just had a service. Maybe I need to go back to them. And thanks for the MPP users club lead.

ic-racer - marks? No marks on the camera, and didn't spot any on the film. I fed the film onto the spool, turned the spool once, and closed the back. I'm assuming the camera mechanism starts counting when the back is closed, but I'll have to inspect after the next film has finished.

Jim

 

[Ian Grant]

There's a line/arrow on the film that needs lining up with a a mark in the body, on my Yashicamat the camera's mark is about an inch above the film reel 1/2" before the film turns 90° across the film gate, there should be an instruction manual for your Microcord available on the MPP site.

All 120 film has the start marks, about 6" into the film, so it sounds like you've wound on too far before closing the film back/

Images to follow, their just processing

Ian

 

[Steve Smith]

Unless it has the Rolleiflex style sensor which can detect the difference in thickness from where the film is fixed to the backing paper then the start arrows will need to be lined up with something on the body. Usually a couple of dots.



Steve.

 

[Steve Smith]

Just found this:

I note that you comment on the MPP Micropress shutter/loading problems. Perhaps I should mention, in case you are not aware, that this camera has an inherent fault in its loading and winding mechanism. If the camera is unloaded and then immediately reloaded without closing the back, there should be no problem. If however, a film is loaded into an empty camera that has had its back closed, then the following procedure should be followed:

The film leader must be wound onto the take up spool without turning the cranked winding lever - i.e., it should be hand wound until the double arrow aligns with the red dots. Only then should the film be fed into the film chamber and the back closed.


On this site: http://www.tlr-cameras.com/British/index.html

It does state Microflex rather than Microcord but could still be relevant.




Steve.

 

[glbeas]

Most cameras that use medium format have starting marks near the film rails that you line up with arrows printed on the paper backing. After alignment the back is closed and the film cranked to the lockup. At that point it should have just cleared the start of the film and be ready to shoot. If you did as you say what may have happened is the lock stopped the film before it cleared the frame and you were shooting on blank paper a few frames before the film actually was pulled up enough to get behind the lens.
Look for a small arrow (triangle) or spot engraved next to the film rails in the back.

 

[Ian Grant]

Here you go this is the Yashicamat, I've just loaded it, my Rolleiflex is almost the same.

Hope that helps.

Ian

 

[Greg_E]

Ian,

Should be noted that you are using 120 film and therefore using the green arrows on the bottom of the camera, not the red arrows on the back which I assume are for 220 film.

 

[Ian Grant]

Very true Greg, there won't be more than 1 arrow on a Microcord as MPP ceased production of them around 1960 well before 220 film was introduced (1965). The Red 220 marker on the Yashicamat 124 is actually round the bend of the film path on the back as you noted.

Ian

 

[jimper]

Thanks for the help everyone, and especially Ian for going to the trouble of taking the photographs.

I'll be getting through the next 10 exposures fairly quickly so I can find these marks. The fact that I missed them shows how keen I was to get out with my "new" camera. I hope that was the reason anyway.

Your helpfullness was a very nice introduction to APUG. Expect more beginners questions from this direction in the near future.

Jim

 

[MattKing]

Jim:

Welcome to APUG!

I don't have any direct experience with a Microcord, but I wanted to reassure you in case you have trouble finding the appropriate "Start" mark on your camera.

Some cameras have a much more easily visible mark than others. In my case, I have a couple of Koni-Omega film backs where you almost need psychic powers to find the mark .

Don't worry, youll find it!

Matt

 

[jimper]

Update - I found it!

I found the camera mark, and even the arrows on the film.
I haven't got to the end of the film yet, so cannot say whether I'll get 12 negs out of it, but it looks like in previous films I wasn't winding on far enough and was shooting the first two exposures onto paper.
Thanks for everyone's help

Jim