Problems loading a Rolleiflex

adelorenzo · Apr 7, 2016

I was trying to help someone who wants to shoot with her grandfathers Rolleiflex. I've not used one of these before but I do have Mamiya and Yashica TLRs so I thought it would be pretty straightforward.

We tried loading a couple rolls but each time the camera just wound on through the whole roll. The film counter stayed at zero and the shutter didn't cock.

Did I miss a step somewhere? Or is it just that the camera migh need service?

E. von Hoegh · Apr 7, 2016

Go here http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/index.shtml to figure out a) which model and b) read the user's manual. Some are less than straightforward.
And, the camera might need service - but at least you'll know if you're loading it correctly.

CropDusterMan · Apr 7, 2016

Unless the camera is in need of Service, which it likely is, the film must pass under the roller right next to
the fresh roll on its way across to the take up spool. This roller senses the film is in the camera. Watch
this:

If that doesn't cure the issue, camera needs repair.

E. von Hoegh · Apr 7, 2016

CropDusterMan said:
Unless the camera is in need of Service, which it likely is, the film must pass under the roller right next to
the fresh roll on its way across to the take up spool. This roller senses the film is in the camera. Watch
this:

If that doesn't cure the issue, camera needs repair.

Not all load the same. The OP needs info for his model, or there's no certainty.

ic-racer · Apr 7, 2016

Reads as if you are using an Automat without feeding the film through the rollers.

CropDusterMan · Apr 7, 2016

Yes, so presumptuous of me. It was her grandfathers camera...so I assumed it was your
run of the mill 50's 60's TLR. From the description of the problem, you'd think.

adelorenzo · Apr 7, 2016

That's it, we missed the roller. I figured it was something simple. Thanks everyone!

CropDusterMan · Apr 7, 2016

E. von Hoegh said:
Not all load the same. The OP needs info for his model, or there's no certainty.

As I thought.

adelorenzo said:
That's it, we missed the roller. I figured it was something simple. Thanks everyone!

Glad it worked out...let us know if the old machine is still working. ;O)

Zathras · Apr 8, 2016

As soon a I read the first post, I knew exactly what had happened. It's a VERY common mistake if you're coming from another brand of TLR to the Rolleiflex, and you don't have the owner's manual. It happened to me as well. I went back to the store where I bought it and the owner showed me the correct way to load the camera.

mooseontheloose · Apr 8, 2016

This happened to me as well. I didn't know what went wrong at the time, but after losing a roll to this issue, the second one I took a guess at how far to advance to the next frame and got 9 images overall on the roll of film. I hope I just remember to put the film under the roller the next time I shoot with the Rollei!

darkosaric · Apr 8, 2016

This happened to me as well, some 10 years ago , after upgrading Lubitel to a Rolleiflex

Problems loading a Rolleiflex

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