Your probably not too old. Might just be a matter of “practice makes perfect”. Make sure there are no distractions and no reason to rush in the future.
One point that I rather like about my TLRs is the near foolproof film loading path. I figure I'm going to have to be really short on coffee for awhile before I could screw any of them up, but I have seen a few people on youtube loading the film UNDER the roller on a Rollicord. Haven't seen the end result, but I suspect it to be a tad rustic.
That said, I'm very much waiting for the day I unload my RB67's magazine and have to figure out how I managed to screw that one up and fail to follow its handy arrows.
For some reason, which I can not at all explain, I got it in my head that loading A12 backs is different than loading A24 backs, and this is why I'm loading the A12 backs incorrectly.
Just goes to show what happens when one takes a long break from a system.... I never once did this years ago.
I haven't done that one yet, but I had a different photography-related brain cramp over the weekend that still has me aggravated. Unfortunately, these things happen...
One point that I rather like about my TLRs is the near foolproof film loading path. I figure I'm going to have to be really short on coffee for awhile before I could screw any of them up, but I have seen a few people on youtube loading the film UNDER the roller on a Rollicord. Haven't seen the end result, but I suspect it to be a tad rustic.
Some Rolleiiflexes are "autoloading" which require the film to go between the rollers (like my 2.8E), others do not have that and go over the rollers (like my GX).
I have seen the damage done if it is fed accidentally between - basically vertical scratches on the emulsion.
Some Rolleiiflexes are "autoloading" which require the film to go between the rollers (like my 2.8E), others do not have that and go over the rollers (like my GX).
I have seen the damage done if it is fed accidentally between - basically vertical scratches on the emulsion.
Maybe that is where people are getting their weird loading instructions, but I was referring to older 'cord models like my Rolliecord IV.
And I do hope those photographers eventually figured out how that roller works, and aren't assuming the scratches are an expected part of the film experience. Or at least I hope they're not upset with the scratches... If they float their boat, then it really isn't harming anyone.
Simply keep in mind this principle: When the film is run correctly thru the magazine, you should always be able to see the BLACK side of the paper backingfacing forward toward the lens...the film is taped to be black side and faces the lens when it advances , and NEVER the yellow side of the backing,!!!