Yashica tlr advance

[rowghani]

hi all just got a 124g and find the advance to be pretty tight when there's film in it . Another friend has a yashica D and she said it's the same for hers. What has been your experience with these tlrs? Thanks in advance.

 

[mooseontheloose]

I've had several Yashica TLRs over the years, I can't recall it ever being a problem. Is the tightness throughout the roll, or does it get worse (or better) as the film advances?

 

[Dan Daniel]

You can try oiling the film rollers and the take-up spool driving gear. VERY small drops of light oil at each end of the rollers, then wipe off well- remember, the film emulsion is rolling across them. On the spool gear, push it toward the side a bit- it might go back half a millimeter or less. Light oil around the outer edges, small amount again and clean up well after winding for a bit to move the gear along.

Most likely the problem is inside the wind mechanism itself- dried and gummed up lubes, and wear and tear. This involves opening up the camera. Then again, on a D you are directly driving the spool so not a lot to create drag.

Sending it to an experienced repairperson for an overhaul is the best solution. Don't expect smoothness with Yashicas, by the way. It happens, of course, but they simply weren't built to the level of finish and smoothness of better cameras.

 

[rowghani]

Thanks guys, no it seems to be stiff through out.

 

[rowghani]

a thing to note though is that when there's no film loaded its not stiff

 

[shutterfinger]

I would start by putting an empty spool in the supply chamber and checking how easily it turns then install a roll of film without removing the retainer band and seeing how easily it turns. Next I would do the same with the take up chamber. There should be more tension on the supply making it a little harder to turn than the take up. Next check the guide roller(s), they should turn with the weight of a small feather applied to them.
Now waste a roll of film or run the backing paper of a previous roll through the camera with the back open. Does the paper follow the guides correctly? Check the pressure plate, is it the same height from the back frame all around the pressure plate?