A Little Plaubel Makina Help?

[Kerik]

I just received a Plaubel Makina 67. I've wanted one for ages and finally found one at a reasonable price. It seems to be in good shape: meter, shutter, etc all work well and cosmetically it's very nice. I've worked with many MF cameras, so understand loading, operation, etc. I've not been able to locate a manual, but I suspect there's an issue. After I load the film and close the camera, I begin to wind the film and the counter doesn't move from S. Also, the lever never stops I can wind and wind until the film is completely through the camera. So, the questions are, should the lever stop at No. 1 and how many throws between frames and is there a lever stop at each frame? I've read there are winding issues with this model. I just want to make sure I haven't missed a step to re-set the counter, or something.

I hope I don't have to send the camera back, because it's just so damn cool. I know I could have gotten a Fuji 667 for about the same $$, but I like old things that work.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gns]

I have the W67 model.
Yes, the winder shoulder stop at frame 1.
Are you sure the film is advancing as you wind? The problem I've had is, wind wind wind and the film doesn't move, or moves very little (= stripped gear). Sometimes takes several cranks to get to the next frame. Had this repaired once, only to reoccur again later (I've owned the camera since mid eighties).

 

[Kerik]

Yes, the film advances. I can wind the whole roll through the camera and the lever never stops and the counter never moves. While I got the camera for a "reasonable price", that's assuming the camera is working and not needing an expensive repair. Thanks for the feedback. This isn't looking good...

 

[shiro_kuro]

PM sent ....

Just uploaded the manuals here
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/37378088/Plaubel%20Makina.zip

 

[sevo]

Yes, the film advances. I can wind the whole roll through the camera and the lever never stops and the counter never moves.
(...)
This isn't looking good...

Actually it is not looking as bad as it might be. The widespread issue with stripped gears leaves the camera unable to transport film - if yours winds the film, but does not count frames, you have some sort of counter issue, which might be as trivial as the door-sensing lever being stuck in the gooey neoprene seal, or the spring load on the pressure pin opposite the counter roller being too low.

 

[gns]

Yes, the film advances. I can wind the whole roll through the camera and the lever never stops and the counter never moves. While I got the camera for a "reasonable price", that's assuming the camera is working and not needing an expensive repair. Thanks for the feedback. This isn't looking good...

Ok. Hopefully, as Sevo suggests, it is not too serious then.

 

[Kerik]

Shiro, thanks for the manuals!

Sevo, thanks for the info. I'll try and look into those issues. I hope I can figure it out, because I'd like to keep and use this camera.

 

[Kerik]

OK, I now see what's going on. The back doesn't close tightly enough. It allows the top of the back (where your thumb would be) to be held open far enough that it doesn't engage the little pin that tells the camera that there's film in it. If I hold the back closed all the way, it works. If I let go, the back lifts just enough to reset the counter and then the counter won't go again until I squeeze the back. So, it seems like an adjustment of the latch is in order, but I don't see an easy way to do that. I guess the important thing is, the winding gears seem to be intact.

 

[gns]

Good news.
I wonder if the light seal has been replaced and is preventing the door from closing enough to depress the pin.