help! missing frames from a Rolleiflex 3.5f

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kmallick

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I just purchased a late model Rolleiflex 3.5f from eBay. I shot two 120 rolls of Neopan 120 back to back. After developing I have several missing frames in both the rolls. One has 9 good frames and the other 6. 😕 The rest of the film has completely blank frames except that the rebates and the film type are clearly visible. This makes me think something is wrong with the camera itself (and not development).

I made sure to read the instruction manual on film loading in a 3.5f. I also watched a video of loading a Rolleiflex on youtube. I am pretty sure I followed the correct procedure. I fed the film under the roller bar before threading into the empty spool and then shut the back close. After closing the back, it took only a turn before the crank stopped and engaged the film counter (for both the rolls). I was of the idea that it is supposed to take 3-4 full cranks before the film is sensed and the counter is reset. 🙁

Could something be wrong with the film sensing device on the camera?

Any help or suggestion would be highly appreciated.
 
I had the same problem with the 3.5F I bought from a very reputable Rollei dealer. The blank frames resulted when the shutter did not fire. The lubricants in leaf shutters can break down or dry out over time, and especially after a long period without use these shutters can be erratic.

I sent the camera to Harry Fleenor for a shutter service and, I think, a film transport service. That was in 2003. Since then, the camera has been trouble free. Good luck.
 
Could be. Appreciate the hint. But I am surprised as to why there are perfectly exposed shots on side (starting end) and missing on the other (tail) end of both the rolls? If the leaf shutter was misfiring, won't this be a random thing?
 
Check all the speeds repeatedly with the back and aperture open so you can easily see the shutter.

If you calculated your exposure correctly and had set shutter speed and aperture accordingly , there is no reason other than shutter failure for your issue.
 
When you say "under the roller bar" do you mean "between the feeler bars?" You must feed the leader between the two chrome bars to get the counter started properly.
 
sorry for being ambiguous. I did exactly this:

rolleiflex_film_loading.JPG
 
I noticed the shutter wasn't always firing on my Rolleiflex so I sent mine to Krikor who told me the shutter spring had to be replaced. Strangely, the camera had been overhauled by Harry Fleenor only three years ago.. A week later, I had the camera back in my possession.

It may be dried-out lubricant or you may need the spring replaced as I did. You'll only know for sure by sending it for an overhaul.
 
Just an update in case it helps someone in the future.
I checked all shutter speeds and aperture openings with the back open, the leaf shutter seems to be firing fine.
I decided to sacrifice a roll film and loaded it in my Rolleiflex following proper film loading procedure. I closed the back and turned the crank until it stopped and the film counter showed 1. I opened the back and the roll film still had the paper backing in the film gate (i.e. no film yet). I am suspecting something is wrong with the auto film thickness sensor when the film is loaded.
This explains why I had all exposed shots in the beginning of the roll and blank ones at the end. The camera was fooled into thinking that film was loaded only when the paper backing was still passing through.
 
It seems as if the feeler bars (bottom of camera) need adjustment. I'd think it would be pretty quick and easy for a tech to fix it. Or, as you say, just return it and wait for a better one.
 
Vics said:
It seems as if the feeler bars (bottom of camera) need adjustment. I'd think it would be pretty quick and easy for a tech to fix it. Or, as you say, just return it and wait for a better one.
Click to expand...

You are correct. I am tempted to get it fixed. But the camera was advertised as working properly and CLA'd recently.
 
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