Komaflex

[dazedgonebye]

Well, I've had my komaflex for a couple of weeks now, I've run 2 rolls of efke 127 and 1 roll of kodak 400UC through it.
So far, it's kicking my butt.

Besides the usual old camera problems, and this one is pretty good in that way, I've just found the thing very tough to focus. I think perhaps it was meant for younger eyes and brighter light.
I also seem to be having some problems with the efke...though that's never been a problem before. My exposures are off and I've gotten severl large black dirt spots on the negatives that I've never seen in my other developing efforts.

Here's one shot on 35mm film run through the komaflex. You can see that I've missed the focus once again. The shirt is sharper than the face.

Any ideas? Try, try, try again...or am I just not cut out for the challenge?

 

[ZeissFan]

Are you using the flip-up magnifier?

And what kind of work did you have to do on the Komaflex? I got mine out as a refresher, and I can't remember if I had to "calibrate" the viewing screen. I think not.

I've found the magnifier helps to a degree, but I agree that it's still not the easiest camera to focus.

I looked at my contact sheet. I was using Maco 127, and it also has some black spots.

Mine has some sort of oddball light leak, which I guess I'll need to investigate.

What's your setup for shooting 35mm in the Komaflex?

 

[dazedgonebye]

I am using the magnifier. It's just pretty dark in there and I'm having a hard time nailing when it actually is in focus.
For 35mm...
I took two old 127 reels and built up the inside edges with correction tape. That makes the reels just a bit wider than 35mm film. I didn't want the film to bind up, but I felt it needed some help to stay roughly in the center.
I load the film from the 35mm cartridge to one reel, then start the other end on the other reel. I then load it in the camera. All of this in a changing bag, of course.
Unload the camera in the changing bag and wrap the film in tin foil. The mini-lab people can handle it from there.

 

[bmattock]

When you run the 35mm film over the exposure areas, it is not hitting the frame rails meant for 127 film, yes? I was wondering if this changes the film's distance from the lens a mm or two. Also, 127 had a paper backing - so the thickness of this would be missing between the film's pressure plate and the film, right? I dunno, just tossing some ideas around.

 

[dazedgonebye]

When you run the 35mm film over the exposure areas, it is not hitting the frame rails meant for 127 film, yes? I was wondering if this changes the film's distance from the lens a mm or two. Also, 127 had a paper backing - so the thickness of this would be missing between the film's pressure plate and the film, right? I dunno, just tossing some ideas around.

I think those may be good thoughts Bill, but my results were as bad or worse with 127 film.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I have always wanted to try a Komaflex; it's a pretty unique camera.

Just a guess, but maybe the material supporting the focusing screen has deteriorated and
shrunk over 50 years, thereby shifting the apparent focus? Or maybe it's the mirror stops.

Karl Bryan of Beaverton OR, a repairman I know and recommend has some experience with these.
If interested in contacting him send me a PM.

Chris

 

[dazedgonebye]

I have always wanted to try a Komaflex; it's a pretty unique camera.

Just a guess, but maybe the material supporting the focusing screen has deteriorated and
shrunk over 50 years, thereby shifting the apparent focus? Or maybe it's the mirror stops.

Karl Bryan of Beaverton OR, a repairman I know and recommend has some experience with these.
If interested in contacting him send me a PM.

Chris

Thanks Chris. PM sent.