rollei 6006: what the hell happened?

borgunto · Aug 17, 2011

Hi everybody,
back from an holiday in Austria, I've just picked my negatives up from the lab. And - sadly - it was a complete disaster not a single frame can be saved from 5 rolls of Kodak Portra 160 shot with a Rolleiflex 6006 bought some months ago. All the pictures are like blurred and devastated by a series of vertical bands, as you can see in the images I attach.
It looks like there's a problem with the film dragging mechanism, doesn't it? I had already shot a test roll when I bought the camera and - apart from a battery issue that I solved - it optically worked very well. Now it looks as if I have shot using a glass of beer as a lens...

I'm so confused and frustrated any suggestion?

Monito · Aug 17, 2011

It could be a processing issue, since it looks like every frame has the same degree of blur in the same direction. I am wondering about some kind of agitation issue or development by-products sliding off highlights. But it could be associated with film transport, as you suspect.

Are all streaks aligned the same way? Same length? Are they aligned so they streak along lengthwise in the direction of film transport motion?

Could be the shutter is sticking open until the film is transported. Are there any frames that are completely whited out? Do you always advance the film and cock the shutter in the same way with about the same timing after each shot?

Have you looked through the camera back with it open while making a shot and advancing the mechanism?

TimVermont · Aug 17, 2011

Hi Damiano,

The mirror is not returning to its fully seated position after the exposure, hence the streaks (from the film winding on) and overexposure. Check the mirror flap carefully (and gently) for loose foam stripping on the back, etc. A 6006 is not young at this point, so it may just be dried, gummy lubricants.

If the images are also out of focus, check the seating of the magazine itself, and that you don't have a Rollei SLX film insert in the magazine as they don't fit properly.

borgunto · Aug 17, 2011

hi Monito and thank you for your reply. Yes, all the streaks are aligned the same way, in the direction of film transport motion.
No, there aren't frames completely whited out.
The camera has an electric motor that automatically advances the film and cocks the shutter...
I was suspecting a processing issue too, but the frames numbers and the Kodak signs are ok. I am just now going out with a black and white film to test it and see what happens: stay tuned...
thank you again,
Damiano

TimVermont · Aug 17, 2011

Monito said:
It could be a processing issue, since it looks like every frame has the same degree of blur in the same direction. I am wondering about some kind of agitation issue or development by-products sliding off highlights. But it could be associated with film transport, as you suspect.

Are all streaks aligned the same way? Same length? Are they aligned so they streak along lengthwise in the direction of film transport motion?

Could be the shutter is sticking open until the film is transported. Are there any frames that are completely whited out? Do you always advance the film and cock the shutter in the same way with about the same timing after each shot?

Have you looked through the camera back with it open while making a shot and advancing the mechanism?

This is an all-electronic Rollei. The shutter re-opens after every exposure. The mirror flap is what protects the film from additional exposure during transport.

ColdEye · Aug 17, 2011

OT: I am really liking the second picture, it has a nice "ghostly" feel to it.

borgunto · Aug 17, 2011

fixed?

so, first of all thank you all for your precious suggestions but...

I'm just back from the darkroom where I've developed a test roll shot this afternoon. And everything came out ok: razor sharp pictures, perfect film transport...

I read the manual carefully: I was wrong when loading the film. The instructions say clearly: when loading the film "do NOT try to lead the edges of the film UNDER the spring clips, but simply allow them to lie on top of the clips".

Although it is written in bold in the instuctions manual, I had ignored it and during my holidays I systematically pressed the edges of the film under those springs...

Shame on me, shame on me :wub:

markbarendt · Aug 17, 2011

Glad you found the fix.

The first picture is something my wife would try to do on purpose, I kinda like it.

borgunto · Aug 18, 2011

yesterday evening pictures: just to show you that NOW everything is ok...

rollei 6006: what the hell happened?

borgunto

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