[SOLVED] HELP! A12 back stuck!

[ted_smith]

Hi

I was (foolishly it seems) trying to practice loading film faster into my Hasselbad 501CM A12 back. I used an old roll of film, loaded it, ran it through the camera, then took it out and re-loaded it in reverse.

It didn't occur to me until my Blad got stiffer and then stuck at frame 6 that that was a stupid thing to do!

If I remove the back and put my otrher one on, the camera works, so the camera is not jammed, bu the A12 back is. I can't remove the insert - when I twist the metal circle it releases but the inner does not come out. With it attached to the Blad, I can't re-shoot, and I can't wind it on.

Have I totally ruined the back or is there a way to say "hey, no need to protect the film...just let it out!"?

 

[jeffreyg]

Just a wild guess... If you remove the dark slide from the jammed back that you removed maybe you can cut the roll and gradually remove the film so only the plastic rollers are in and then perhaps you can remove the insert and try it without film to see if it is okay. i have never tried using a roll in reverse nor had a back jam so I am not speaking from experience.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[HiHoSilver]

Ted, I had a repair bill to a back that sounds very similar. I believe it was the film flattening guide sticking up too much to allow removal. The film had images I valued more than the back, so I forced it, knowing I'd have a repair or replacement bill. The repair was not that costly, but I was sure nervous about it. With the film you mention being just practice, I'd suggest getting it in for repair w/ the film still in it. It may or may not make a difference, but if the out of tolerance part can be saved, repaired, it might save you some costs.

Best of luck with it. Its certainly no fun.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you carefully remove the frame and then the dark slide, you will be able to cut away parts of the film. That will allow you to the remove the insert and the remaining film and paper. When reassembling the frame, be sure that the dark slide light seals are properly placed.

 

[John Koehrer]

^^^What SG said. pull the slide, cut the paper and you should be golden.
It sounds like the paper got folded or caught on the back.

 

[ted_smith]

Gents

Good news! The first suggestion works (and your subsequent suggestion Sirius)...I removed the back and the slide, gents cut the film which released some tension. I was then able to simply take the insert out without having to pull the film through the spools. What had happened, it turned out, is the film had ravelled itself up round one of the spools as a result of being in back to front I expect, and with every turn it was getting fuller until it was too tight to turn. So, a lesson learned. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[ted_smith]

Ha ha...John...what you said!!

 

[HiHoSilver]

Ted, 'grats!
Sirius & John - big bravo for excellent help.

 

[Sirius Glass]

See you get what you pay for at APUG.

 

[benjiboy]

See you get what you pay for at APUG.

He doesn't pay anything Steve, he's not a subscriber.

 

[Sirius Glass]

See you get what you pay for at APUG.

He doesn't pay anything Steve, he's not a subscriber.

What I said still holds. He got a bargain for what he paid.

 

[benjiboy]

What I said still holds. He got a bargain for what he paid.

I see what you mean.