Help with Kiev film spool

[Mahe]

I recently purchased a kiev film spool to use as a takeup spool on my kiev-4. I'm somewhat puzzled at how am I supposed to put it inside the camera.

As you propably know, the spool has three parts; the spool and two cylinders around it that have a "film gate" cut on the side. The inner cylinder turns inside the outer cylinder thus closing or opening the film gate. The inner cylinder also has two protruding tabs, one solid and one that can be pressed to release the inner cylinder. These tabs prevent me closing the camera's back if the "film gate" is open. When the fiilm gate is closed the back closes all right and the lock of the back turns the inner cylinder to open the film gate, right? However, how am i supposed to insert the film tongue to the film spool if the gate must be closed when the camera is opened?

Should I take this inner cylinder out when using the spool as takeup spool with normal film magazine on the other side? That way I can close the camera back but I'm quite sure it is not the way things are intended to work. Or is it?

 

[Dogman]

If you are using regular film (not bulk-loaded), you should only use the take-up spool without the magazine. If I understand the mechanism correctly, the Kiev cassettes are designed for bulk loaded film--one on the supply side and one on the takeup side. By using them that way, you do not have to rewind the film. But for pre-loaded, store-bought and factory loaded film you only use the takeup spool.

 

[fanshaw]

I recently purchased a kiev film spool to use as a takeup spool on my kiev-4. I'm somewhat puzzled at how am I supposed to put it inside the camera.

As you propably know, the spool has three parts; the spool and two cylinders around it that have a "film gate" cut on the side. The inner cylinder turns inside the outer cylinder thus closing or opening the film gate. The inner cylinder also has two protruding tabs, one solid and one that can be pressed to release the inner cylinder. These tabs prevent me closing the camera's back if the "film gate" is open. When the fiilm gate is closed the back closes all right and the lock of the back turns the inner cylinder to open the film gate, right? However, how am i supposed to insert the film tongue to the film spool if the gate must be closed when the camera is opened?

Should I take this inner cylinder out when using the spool as takeup spool with normal film magazine on the other side? That way I can close the camera back but I'm quite sure it is not the way things are intended to work. Or is it?

You can use these cassettes to avoid the need for rewinding. They can also be useful if you want to change films in the middle of a roll. What you have to do when loading is to attach the leader of the film to the central spool, assemble the two cylinders and close the 'film gate' on the cassette. Place the cassette on the take-up side and the standard cassette on the other side and then close the camera back.
If you do not need this refinement, just use the spool. Actually a spool from any 35mm cassette works perfectly well.

 

[350D_user]

If you do not need this refinement, just use the spool. Actually a spool from any 35mm cassette works perfectly well.

True, although I've found the Fuji Neopan spools to be better than most, for some reason.

As always, ymmv. 🙂

 

[Mahe]

You can use these cassettes to avoid the need for rewinding. They can also be useful if you want to change films in the middle of a roll. What you have to do when loading is to attach the leader of the film to the central spool, assemble the two cylinders and close the 'film gate' on the cassette. Place the cassette on the take-up side and the standard cassette on the other side and then close the camera back.

So when inserted correctly and the spool assemply closed, the film leader is supposed to squeeze between the cylinders and it's released when the film gate is opened by the locking mechanism of the camera back? I wondered if this could be the case but somehow it didn't seem right...

 

[Mahe]

You can use these cassettes to avoid the need for rewinding. They can also be useful if you want to change films in the middle of a roll. What you have to do when loading is to attach the leader of the film to the central spool, assemble the two cylinders and close the 'film gate' on the cassette. Place the cassette on the take-up side and the standard cassette on the other side and then close the camera back.
If you do not need this refinement, just use the spool. Actually a spool from any 35mm cassette works perfectly well.

Does this actually mean that I cannot rewind the film if I'm using the whole kiev cassette on takeup side? The spool seems to turm both ways inside the cylinders so I can't see why not?

I loaded a film into my Kiev and it was actually quite handy, much easier than with spool from normal film cassette. I must hunt down one of those kiev spools for my other Kiev too.

 

[kmack]

See this thread

 

[fanshaw]

So when inserted correctly and the spool assemply closed, the film leader is supposed to squeeze between the cylinders and it's released when the film gate is opened by the locking mechanism of the camera back? I wondered if this could be the case but somehow it didn't seem right...

Yes that's right.

 

[fanshaw]

Does this actually mean that I cannot rewind the film if I'm using the whole kiev cassette on takeup side? The spool seems to turm both ways inside the cylinders so I can't see why not?

I loaded a film into my Kiev and it was actually quite handy, much easier than with spool from normal film cassette. I must hunt down one of those kiev spools for my other Kiev too.

You can rewind the film, but the usual reason for having the cassette instead of a simple take-up spool is so that you don't need to rewind, or so that you can change films in the middle of a roll. The reloadable Kiev cassette is excellent if you use bulk film. Because there is no felt trap, the film transports easily without risk of scratches from grit in the felt or light leaks from worn felt.

 

[ruben]

Hi Mahe,
The main guideline I can contribute is that by their very design, when you open the back of your Kiev, the Kiev magazine will close its gates. And when closing the back, or better said, when you twist the keys/levers of the bottom plate in order to secure the closing of the back, this very twist will open the Kiev magazine(s).

This means, in other words, that the magazines once installed and the camera closed, will work wide open.

The Kiev magazines, or cassettes have been subject of exhaustive threads, so go where Kevin is sending you, and if not satisfyied continue "Search"ing.

One thing I find propper to mention here and now, and it is the possibility of some relationship between using the take up Kiev cassette and propper frame spacing. But this is a speculation for me since I have not tryied it due to the fact that by know I am in the Kiev 4AM fashion.

Cheers,
Ruben