Fuji 6x9 film advance

[noah b]

Hello all, just recently acquired a GW690III and noticed the film advance isn't particularly smooth when I take a photo and advance to the next frame. I developed a couple rolls I took with it and they turned out fine, but on my GW690 the film advance is way smoother. Can anyone who was the 3rd model tell me how their film advance action is?

 

[JohnTF]

Perhaps, I noticed some problems with the roll film Fuji's that if the film was not wound tightly they would bind.

Normally, did not cause any problems, but I once stopped in a shop while traveling to have the film removed as I thought something was wrong with the advance, and it was just that roll was a bit loose.

Do you have any scrap film to feed through it to see what is what?

Regards, John

 

[noah b]

I do actually, what should I look for when running it through? I just checked the camera and it feels rough when it cocks the shutter but every other move feels alright.

 

[kuzano]

Film tight on takeup spool when door is closed...

Film tight on takeup spool when door is closed...

This has been a critical issue with Fuji big rangefinders and for that matter with most horizontal transport medium format cameras. In fact, it's known well enough, even by Fuji that it is addressed in the user guide of many models of Fuji. Short notice to keep film tight on the takeup spool when loading.

Bronica 645rf have been noted to exhibit this same problem. It's a "user" issue most often.

Symptoms of closing the door on loose film are:

1) increasingly hard to advance as mid roll is approached
2) exhibit frame spacing problems
3) jamming at mid roll or later, resulting in having to open the door to strip the film out of the camera, ie no good frames.

Keep tension on both the feed roll and takeup spool with the film advance lever and fingers upon closing the door. A third hand would be nice, but have learned to accomplish closing the door on a tight roll.

Have not had this problem any more on numerous big Fuji rangefinders including the GSW you posted about. Furthermore, I am never hesitant to send any of my Fuji's to Frank Marshman at Camera Wiz for various other problems, including shutter linkages and bellows on the GS645 (3 of them).

I have never had to send one to him for rangefinder, meter or transport issues in over ten years now. If you don't solve your problem with more care on loading, Frank is The Man! He's in Virginia.

 

[JohnTF]

This has been a critical issue with Fuji big rangefinders and for that matter with most horizontal transport medium format cameras. In fact, it's known well enough, even by Fuji that it is addressed in the user guide of many models of Fuji. Short notice to keep film tight on the takeup spool when loading.

Bronica 645rf have been noted to exhibit this same problem. It's a "user" issue most often.

Symptoms of closing the door on loose film are:

1) increasingly hard to advance as mid roll is approached
2) exhibit frame spacing problems
3) jamming at mid roll or later, resulting in having to open the door to strip the film out of the camera, ie no good frames.

Keep tension on both the feed roll and takeup spool with the film advance lever and fingers upon closing the door. A third hand would be nice, but have learned to accomplish closing the door on a tight roll.

Have not had this problem any more on numerous big Fuji rangefinders including the GSW you posted about. Furthermore, I am never hesitant to send any of my Fuji's to Frank Marshman at Camera Wiz for various other problems, including shutter linkages and bellows on the GS645 (3 of them).

I have never had to send one to him for rangefinder, meter or transport issues in over ten years now. If you don't solve your problem with more care on loading, Frank is The Man! He's in Virginia.

+1, I sent one in to Chicago for a CLA, with new seals. What does your guy charge for a CLA on the big Fuji's?

If it jams, open in the dark to save the exposed frames, might be the best of the day. ;-)



Regards, John

 

[noah b]

I think the advance mechanism might have to be replaced. Does anyone know how to remove the top shutter release? Is there a specific tool used for removal?

 

[soy]

I think the advance mechanism might have to be replaced. Does anyone know how to remove the top shutter release? Is there a specific tool used for removal?

Unscrew the upper, securing ring on the release using a small pipe wrench. Place a piece of some soft material around the ring so that the teeth of the wrench dont destroy the plastic ring. Lift off the ring, and you are free to explore inner parts of the camera if you wish, first by taking off the top cover after having loosened the small screws on the front and backside. Then you have access to the film advance/shutter cocking mechanism. Maybe you'll find that the shutter charging rack and the gear on the shaft going into the shutter don't mesh properly. Good luck!