What is supposed to keep the film plate in place in the Baldi 29?

fabulousrice · Jun 12, 2022

This element of my Baldi 29 fails to stay in place which makes using the camera very difficult.
What originally kept this element in place and how can I fix it?

Dan Daniel · Jun 12, 2022

There are two slots in the back. In your photo, one is at the left edge of the image, at about 10 o'clock from the center red window. The other slot is just peaking out from your ring finger.

Two tabs on pressure plate. Place one tab in one slot. You will need to determine if the pressure plate is symmetrical or if it needs to be oriented in a specific way. After one slot is engaged, bend the pressure plate up a bit on the other side, the unengaged side. Take a chopstick or something to press the tab down tot he pressure plate and let that side of the plate down to have it slide and engage.

AnselMortensen · Jun 12, 2022

Judging from the offset of the tabs on the pressure plate, it looks like the pressure plate rotates into position, and the tabs 'bayonet' into position into the slots?

fabulousrice · Jun 12, 2022

Dan Daniel said:
There are two slots in the back. In your photo, one is at the left edge of the image, at about 10 o'clock from the center red window. The other slot is just peaking out from your ring finger.

Two tabs on pressure plate. Place one tab in one slot. You will need to determine if the pressure plate is symmetrical or if it needs to be oriented in a specific way. After one slot is engaged, bend the pressure plate up a bit on the other side, the unengaged side. Take a chopstick or something to press the tab down tot he pressure plate and let that side of the plate down to have it slide and engage.

Yes, I have been doing this a lot but it falls out. Even when closed or with film inside. Because the tabs are flexible amd at a weird angle, they easily pop out. Looking for a way to fix this…

Donald Qualls · Jun 12, 2022

AnselMortensen said:
Judging from the offset of the tabs on the pressure plate, it looks like the pressure plate rotates into position, and the tabs 'bayonet' into position into the slots?

I was thinking the whole thing might slide into place -- if it's your way or mine, one end of each slot should be at least partially closed off, and that will tell you which way it goes.

AgX · Jun 12, 2022

fabulousrice said:
Yes, I have been doing this a lot but it falls out. Even when closed or with film inside. Because the tabs are flexible amd at a weird angle, they easily pop out. Looking for a way to fix this…

Likely at tearing it out, one or both wings got bent inwards and thus put to little pressure, if at all, a the two cams at the back.
Bend them a bit outward again.

fabulousrice · Jun 13, 2022

AgX said:
Likely at tearing it out, one or both wings got bent inwards and thus put to little pressure, if at all, a the two cams at the back.
Bend them a bit outward again.

Is there a trick to bend them backwards? Like adding heat or clamping to keep it in place? I can't bend them back because they're fixed to the backplate... Or maybe I glue one of them and hope the other stays in place?

AgX · Jun 13, 2022

Glue a tiny piece of sheet metal to one of the studs at the wings. Having it protrude just enough to keep the pressure plate in place. You though may be generous and then file it down for best fit.

Dan Daniel · Jun 13, 2022

Have you taken measurements of the distance between the two end edges of the tabs and the slots they go into? The tabs should be splayed apart enough to apply some pressure to the two slots and this pressure will hold it in place... maybe...

John Wiegerink · Jun 14, 2022

If it were me I would just put a very slight little dap of clear silicone under the taps on the back, insert the pressure-plate under the taps the right way and let set for 24hrs. Job done! the silicone can also be cleaned off if you ever have to.

Donald Qualls · Jun 14, 2022

@John Wiegerink I don't think that's a good idea -- or at least not on both sides. Those tabs need to move in their slots to accommodate the pressure plate movement without applying too much pressure.

John Wiegerink · Jun 14, 2022

Donald Qualls said:
@John Wiegerink I don't think that's a good idea -- or at least not on both sides. Those tabs need to move in their slots to accommodate the pressure plate movement without applying too much pressure.

Don,
That's why I suggested silicone instead of epoxy. I'd try it and if it didn't work well just remove the silicone and go for one side only, as you suggest. The only thing that might and I say might happen is the film might wide-on a little more tightly than one would like. If you use just a small dab of silicone on a toothpic and not a real big, messy glob it should hold the peressure plate in place with a little bit of stretch flexibility of silicone to allow a little movement of the pressure plate. It's not like it's a permanent fix and like I said, it can be removed if it doesn't work. Worth a try and doesn't hurt a thing. Cost, just two or one dab of silicone that you can get at the local hardware. I'm just saying what I would TRY if I wanted to use the camera myself and not fiddle with a falling out pressure plate.

fabulousrice · Jun 17, 2022

John Wiegerink said:
Don,
That's why I suggested silicone instead of epoxy. I'd try it and if it didn't work well just remove the silicone and go for one side only, as you suggest. The only thing that might and I say might happen is the film might wide-on a little more tightly than one would like. If you use just a small dab of silicone on a toothpic and not a real big, messy glob it should hold the peressure plate in place with a little bit of stretch flexibility of silicone to allow a little movement of the pressure plate. It's not like it's a permanent fix and like I said, it can be removed if it doesn't work. Worth a try and doesn't hurt a thing. Cost, just two or one dab of silicone that you can get at the local hardware. I'm just saying what I would TRY if I wanted to use the camera myself and not fiddle with a falling out pressure plate.

I followed your tip and put a small drop of silicone on each end. Once it was dry, the plate was able to retains some elasticity to it. We will see if the pictures come out with a scratch or not - if they do, I have to redo the fix in a way that will allow the film plate not to press so hard.
Also, I am curious about the focussing ring - I am assuming it is in meters... but it doesn't say anywhere! what type of add-on rangefinders do you guys use that is in meters?

Donald Qualls · Jun 17, 2022

fabulousrice said:
Also, I am curious about the focussing ring - I am assuming it is in meters... but it doesn't say anywhere!

If the nearest is something like 1.5 or a little less, it's in meters. I've never seen a scale focus camera (other than my Kiev 30 and 303, both 16 mm) that would focus as close as 1.5 feet.

What is supposed to keep the film plate in place in the Baldi 29?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency