A few RB67 120 back issues... Any help appreciated!

Woodsy

Woodsy

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Hi all.

So, my second 120 back has arrived, and I have a few little problems.

Firstly, a fair amount of the black light sealing foam has either worn away, or turned to that nasty sticky goo, that comes away at the slightest touch. So, my question is, if it has worn away, will I suffer from light pollution on the negatives?

Secondly, if so, does anyone know of any kits or tutorials which I can use with the aim of replacing said foam sealing?

Lastly, on a different note, as raathistle was kind enough to lend me a 120 back for the dungeness meet, I'd like to get that back to him asap. Now, there is a half exposed roll in it and I am wondering if there is a way I can rewind that roll and move it into my new back. I could then wind on the roll to the desired number of frames.

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Woody
 
I used to shoot on RB's. I'm fairly certain if your foam has gone messy it'll fog the film. You used to be able to send them to be re-done at Pelling and Cross, which I think is now Johnsons Photopia.

As for re-winding and using the film in a different back, never tried it, film was cheap in those days!
 
Steve, that would be very kind of you! I'm happy to give the re-sealing a go myself. Please drop me your paypal address via PM and I'll pay for the foam and postage.

Treeman, yeah, that is my worry. Thanks for the suggestion. I had a look also at the back I got originally when I bought the camera, and there seems to be a slight bit of foam loss on that back, but upon looking at the negatives, I can't see any fogging. The wearing on this back is considerable however, so will see what I can do to replace it.

It's risky, but unless someone knows a sure way to transfer films, I'll just give it a shot at taking it out in a dark bag.
 
You'd have to open the back in the dark and rewind the film by hand.
I'm not sure the back can be opened, its probably interlocked to prevent accidents.

Only way I can think of -

1. shoot the rest of the film in blackness
2. remove film and rewind back on to the front spool by hand in the blackness.
3. load in to new back and shoot however many frames have already been exposed, in that there blackness stuff again...:)
 
joxby said:
I'm not sure the back can be opened, its probably interlocked to prevent accidents.

.
Click to expand...

It can actually be opened Joxers - it's just a simple sliding catch to open the back. The dark slide is interlocked in that you can't remove the back without the darkslide in place, but there's no protection from opening the back itself.
 
CT said:
It can actually be opened Joxers - it's just a simple sliding catch to open the back. The dark slide is interlocked in that you can't remove the back without the darkslide in place, but there's no protection from opening the back itself.
Click to expand...

So what does that say about RB v Bronica owners, Bronica shooters are likely to be either accident prone or stupid.....:lol:
All I can say as an ex Bronica owner is....I'm glad it was interlocked cos I'm not accident prone....;)

I don't suppose it makes much difference, its a take it out and rewind in the darkness stuff, but it'll be much easier if its already part wound taken straight out of the back..:)
 
CT: Many thanks for the link to the tutorial, that's very handy indeed!

I have looked at the ebay page for interslice, and it seems there isn't a kit for a mamiya RB67. I'll give it a bash myself.

joxby: Yep, that's basically what I'm thinking, except for the first stage. As the film is partially exposed, I could probably just take both spools off, and rewind it back onto the first spool. all done in the dark bag of course. One thing I like about the mamiya 120 backs is that the start of a film is very definite... unlike a 35mm film for example, which depends entirely on how you load it initially.

Many thanks all for the advice :)
 
Woodsy said:
I have looked at the ebay page for interslice, and it seems there isn't a kit for a mamiya RB67. I'll give it a bash myself.
Click to expand...
There isn't a kit for the RB67 specifically - just get the Interslice standard kit which has all the different recommended foam thicknesses for different parts of the camera and back.

Johnson's Photopia quoted me around £150 to reseal the body and one back, and stressed they couldn't be firm on the price either! It's highly likely that they'll just use the Interslice kit as a lot of the trade do. ;)
 
joxby said:
So what does that say about RB v Bronica owners, Bronica shooters are likely to be either accident prone or stupid....
Click to expand...

well I have both..... And I can be both accident prone and stupid too.


Steve.
 
Steve, I've had a bash at re-sealing the 120 back, and looking at indentations along the foam, it appears to have made a good seal. I guess I'll know for sure when I put the first film through it!

Thanks again

EDIT: Film transplant successful as well :D
 
wow brave of you to replace your light seals on your own, I too had the same issues with mine, but sent it off for repair instead :-P
 
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