Hexar RF - film autoloading

[Arjay]

I just discovered a somewhat odd behavior on my Hexar RF:

The camera won't autoload film if the canister doesn't contain a readable DX code!

Background: I bought a number of rebranded Kodak Tri-X 400 films that were loaded in canisters that have incorrect DX code data. The canisters show a code for 24 frames, whereas they actually contain film for 36 frames.

I put some cellotape over the code on the canister, and when I put the film into the camera, it wouldn't autoload! I wondered how this came and tore off the cellotape, and tadaa, the camera would autoload again!

Is that a bug or a feature?

I know it is possible to disable ISO sensibility readout from the DX code, but will the camera go past 24 frames if the canisters are coded incorrectly? If it doesn't, how can I override the readout of incorrect DX data?

Please note that this question isn't academic because I intend to use spent canisters for reloading with bulk film. So, do I need to only use canisters that are marked for 36 frames? And if so, how can I see if a canister is DX coded for 24 frames?

 

[FrankS]

Hi Arjay, I'd call that a feature. When using factory DX coded film cartridges and the ISO dial set to auto, everything is fine. When using non-DX coded cartridges, this "feature" reminds you that the ISO dial has to be manually set, then the film will auto load.

 

[Issy]

If you take the ASA wheel off of DX, will it load then?

I am pretty sure the film counter is driven by tension, not by the code on the canister.

 

[Arjay]

Hi Arjay, I'd call that a feature. When using factory DX coded film cartridges and the ISO dial set to auto, everything is fine. When using non-DX coded cartridges, this "feature" reminds you that the ISO dial has to be manually set, then the film will auto load.

Not sure if that's correct: I did all my experiments with the ISO dial set to a manual position.

Canister w/ DX code: will autoload
Canister w/o DX code (covered w/ tape): won't autoload

What gives?

Does anybody know which DX code data are read by the Hexar RF?

 

[ravid905]

I know that when I owned one in the past, I could load Rollei Pan 25, Rollei Ortho, and some bulk load cartridges I have, and none of them had any DX marks on them. I am also pretty sure from memory, that I didn't use the DX coding to let the camera know the ISO, that I always set it manually.

The only time I ever had a problem with the autoload was when I didn't have the film exactly to the line, either too long or too short, it had to be just the right length.

 

[Arjay]

Solution Found

Solution Found

My original autoloading problem kept me thinking - and now I think I found the solution:

I managed to locate a Hexar RF user manual in the Internet, and it actually contained the solution to my problem:

After putting the canister into the film chamber, pulling out the leader until it reaches the FILM TIP mark and closing the back cover...

When using film that is not DX coded, turn on the main switch, then press the shutter release button once

With a DX coded canister, all you need to do is power up the camera without having to press the shutter release ...

 

[FrankS]

Great! A no-cost solution.

(But don't you just hate it when the answer is in the manual that we don't bother to read?)

 

[Arjay]

(But don't you just hate it when the answer is in the manual that we don't bother to read?)

😱 That was a real D'OH moment ...

But still - better than not having found a solution.