Mamiya 6 detecting when to start

[kiss-o-matic]

I just got a Mamiya 6. The first two rolls are drying right now. Well, actually rolls 2 and 3. Roll 1 was E100VS and was fine, despite some color shift due to age. Rolls 2 and 3 were Rollei Retro 80s. 2 was fine, but 3 "started late" for lack of a better word. I only got half of the 12th exposure. Did I do something wrong?

 

[FrankS]

You need to be careful that the film remins tightly wound on the supply spool during the loading procedure to the take up Spool. That's all I can think of.

 

[sevo]

It does not "detect" anything. As far as I know, the Fuji GA645[zi] series and the later GX680 series backs are the only medium format backs ever to do fully automatic winding with (infrared) leader detection.

The Mamiya 6 is just like every other modern "automatic counter" medium format camera in that loading is far from automatic - you wind the film by hand to align the start mark on the backing paper with the marks next to the film path, close the back and transport.

I second Frank's suggestion - not having any slack in the system is vital in medium format! The backing paper sits tight in the spools to provide a seal against light leaks, so that slack often will not be picked up in transport, but builds up to a excessive diameter on the take-up spool, which may increase the gap between frames, jam the camera or create light leaks.

 

[philipaloft]

I have two Mamiya 6 bodies that I used to use side by side.
One of them consistently exhibited uneven spacing between frames, particularly in the presence of vibration ( floor of car during road trip ).
As per previous posts, it was slack in the film - or in my case, unraveling of film once in the camera.
The issue was instantly cured by using my finger to lift up on the flat springs that rest against the rolls in the camera. Lifted up hard enough that the springs subsequently exerted a little more pressure.
If you're starting your film on the mark but missing part coverage on your 12th frame, you might wish to try the same.
Philip

 

[kiss-o-matic]

Thanks, guys. I will try those on subsequent rolls and see what happens.

 

[kiss-o-matic]

I have two Mamiya 6 bodies that I used to use side by side.
One of them consistently exhibited uneven spacing between frames, particularly in the presence of vibration ( floor of car during road trip ).
As per previous posts, it was slack in the film - or in my case, unraveling of film once in the camera.
The issue was instantly cured by using my finger to lift up on the flat springs that rest against the rolls in the camera. Lifted up hard enough that the springs subsequently exerted a little more pressure.
If you're starting your film on the mark but missing part coverage on your 12th frame, you might wish to try the same.
Philip

Okay, I thought I had this, but cocked up another roll. Not as bad (it could probably be saved) but noticeable. What exactly are these springs you're referring to?