Mamiya 6 with film winding issue...

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I hope this is the right place to ask this question - it's as much film related as equipment. :)

I recently bought a used Mamiya 6 set with three lenses which is a camera I've longed for since they first came out! So far I've put two rolls through it, and they came out well except that both had problems winding tightly onto the take-up spool. Both films were loose enough on the spool to be able to see the edges of the film itself when taken out of the camera, so obviously I was worried about fogging. Thankfully fogging was limited to the rebate, but this clearly isn't right. I've used many roll film cameras before and not had this problem, so I don't think I'm doing anything wrong when loading the film. Is there likely to be something wrong with the camera, or is there a trick I'm missing with the M6?

Any help gratefully received! :D

Thanks,
Simon.
 
I'd take mine apart, but its got film in it.
I dunno what that is, are the rollers tight on to the film at the loaded end ?
I can't remember if there's much resistance on the load end spool, I know I put my thumb on the film as I wind on to the take up spool, just to make sure the film doesn't start slack.

edit, ere, are the rollers tight on to the film at the take up spool ?
 
joxby said:
I'd take mine apart, but its got film in it.
I dunno what that is, are the rollers tight on to the film at the loaded end ?
I can't remember if there's much resistance on the load end spool, I know I put my thumb on the film as I wind on to the take up spool, just to make sure the film doesn't start slack.

edit, ere, are the rollers tight on to the film at the take up spool ?
Click to expand...

The rollers seem to be OK. The left spool where the film winds from is quite loose, so when loading even if I keep my finger on the roll as I wind it to the arrow mark, it's loose enough to slacken a bit before closing the back. Maybe that's the problem, but I'm not sure I can do much about it. :(

There are the usual leaf springs in each spool and I've tried gently bending them up to increase their resistance. Maybe I could increase it a bit more.
 
When I'm winding to the start line, there is resistance, more than you'd expect from 4 sprung rollers, but I dunno..
raathistle has a 6, maybe he could investigate if he doesn't have film in it.
 
I honestly dont know. I've had a look at both of mine and cant get either to replicate this.

The only thing I can think of that might give you loose rolls in the camera is if the little catches at the bottom aren't pushed in:shrug:

Also you haven't got the pressure plate set wrong have you? not sure if this would give you loosly wound film or not though?

Might be worth asking someone to have a look at it, or if you can post some pictures we might be able to see if its something obvious?

I'd hate to think it's broken though, they are by far and away my most favouritest cameras:thumbs:
 
The catches were definitely pushed in. Is the left spool on yours very free-running? Mine is, although comparing with the film back on my Bronica SLR that's completely free too so I can't think it's a problem. Or does the straight film path of the rangefinder camera require some friction from the left spool? If it does that's the problem and it'll need to be repaired :(

The pressure plate is set for 120 - I haven't been able to get hold of 220 film for a few years unfortunately :thinking:

Oh well, maybe I'll have to find a repairer who can check it over for me.

Thanks for your help guys.
 
Is the left spool on yours very free-running? Mine is
Click to expand...

Aha! Mine are both fairly tense, it takes some twisting to turn them. I don't know if thats an easily fixable problem but it sounds like the reason the film is loose
 
Right - that seems to be the problem then! I've rechecked, and the right-hand take-up spool is quite tight, but the left-hand spool is very loose and free-spinning, so there's no tension kept on the film when it's wound across.

Thanks for your help. Looks like it's a trip to the repair shop for my M6 :(
 
The next obvious question is, can you recommend somewhere to have it repaired? :) There's a couple of places that advertise in the back of camera mags like Photo Monthly - are they any good, or best avoided?
 
Mines been to Johnsons Photopia, for a service and a quote on a self timer repair.
Service charge was reasonable, the self timer advice was that it wasn't an economical repair for such a seldom used function.
It was sent by the previous owner and he swears by them, at least they know what they are looking at.
If they are still in existance -

Johnsons Photopia
Hempstalls Lane
Newcastle
Staffs
ST5 0SW
tel 0782 717100

^this is from the service/guarantee card.
 
Thanks joxby. I've just googled them and it looks like they're still around, so I'll give them a call and ask. :thumbs:
 
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