Rolleiflex SL66 film magazine won't reset to 1

[ryanjsalva]

Hi. I recently purchased a Rolleiflex SL66 and have shot maybe 4-6 rolls of film with it. When attempting to load the most recent magazine, I was frustrated when the magazine wouldn’t reset to 1. Instead, the film number display remained set at blank (zero) and the film didn’t “catch”, so I just spooled through the entire roll.

How do I get the magazine to reset to 1? I suspect there’s a mechanism that’s not catching somewhere, but I can’t seem to trigger it.

 

[ryanjsalva]

Okay, I think I figured it out.

1. Remove the magazine from the camera
2. Remove the film from the magazine
3. Remove the thin metal exposure guard
4. Manually turn the little gear on the back of the magazine (the side that would be pressed up against the camera) in the lower left corner. On my camera, there’s a little “hand” illustration that’s immediately below this gear.
5. You may also need to give the magazine film knob a few turns, too. this is the big knob on the left size of the magazine you would usually use to wind the film when loading.
6. BAM! That should work.

 

[C_Rolo]

Looks like you figured it out. How do you like the SL66? I’ve had mine for a year and it’s become my favorite camera. Not the most practical kit to haul around based on its weight, but still my favorite.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I had that problem with one of my Hasselblad backs. A CLA fixed the problem.

 

[ryanjsalva]

@C_Rolo, I’m loving it so far. This is my first film camera, so I kinda feel like I’m jumping into the deep end without my swim wings

I’m not typically a very mechanically inclined person, so I’m definitely out of my comfort zone… but that’s how we learn, right? Are there any good websites or resources you’d recommend?

 

[Arthurwg]

You might try to get ahold of Barry Thornton's "Elements: The Making of Fine Black and White Prints." It's all about his relationship with the SL66. Same for his other book, "Edge of Darkness."

 

[Arthurwg]

Note also that Matt Osborne (Mr. Leica) loves the SL66 and has written about it on his site.