Rewind resistance on an M6 TTL

[jnovek]

I recently purchased an M6 TTL off of KEH... when I rewind film I find that it is substantially more difficult to turn the rewind crank than it was in my Bessa R. I feel significant resistance as I turn the crank and it seems to take me 2 to 3 times longer to rewind a roll on the M6.

Is this normal? I know that there are many gripes about the rewind on the 45 degree rewind Ms being more difficult... but I'm worried that it could indicate that something is wrong with this infamously fragile rewind mechanism.

I am sending the camera back to KEH for service because the frame spacing is off by a little bit (and they've graciously offered to service it for free). Should I bring this up as well?

Jason

 

[Clancycoop]

I have never felt it was very difficult to rewind the film on either my TTL or Classic M6 regarding tension. Doing it quickly with the mechanism requires coordination as has been noted, but I have found it doesn't seem much harder than when turning the knob empty.

I would have them take a look at it.

 

[Ruhayat]

There is significant resistance when rewinding film on my M6TTL compared to my Leica R-E or Contax 139Q, too. I bought the camera brand new, and I always assumed it was just meant to be tight like that. You mean it's supposed to be smooth? I need to get my camera looked at, then.

 

[Ruhayat]

I recently purchased an M6 TTL off of KEH... when I rewind film I find that it is substantially more difficult to turn the rewind crank than it was in my Bessa R. I feel significant resistance as I turn the crank and it seems to take me 2 to 3 times longer to rewind a roll on the M6.

Is this normal? I know that there are many gripes about the rewind on the 45 degree rewind Ms being more difficult... but I'm worried that it could indicate that something is wrong with this infamously fragile rewind mechanism.

I am sending the camera back to KEH for service because the frame spacing is off by a little bit (and they've graciously offered to service it for free). Should I bring this up as well?

Jason

When you bring it up with KEH, do post here what they say. Much appreciated, thanks.

 

[bobbyrab]

it's difficult to quantify the resistance but there is and should be some, there should be a steady resistance as you rewind, and if you let go mid way, there is enough resistance to spin the lever back 2 or 3 revolutions. I also find the resistance increases just before the film leader comes out of the spool. I've had 2 M6ttl's and an M7 and all felt the same.

 

[jnovek]

Thanks for the responses.

As a comparison point, has anyone here ever used a Bessa R? Another comparison point would be many respectable SLRs.

It's definitely feels like more tension than any SLR I've ever owned, but it also feels like substantially more tension than my Bessa has. Some of this might be due to the weird way that I have to hold the camera to trip the rewind switch.

Either way, I'm sufficiently convinced that I should ask KEH to take a peek at it.

Jason

 

[menthel]

it's difficult to quantify the resistance but there is and should be some, there should be a steady resistance as you rewind, and if you let go mid way, there is enough resistance to spin the lever back 2 or 3 revolutions. I also find the resistance increases just before the film leader comes out of the spool. I've had 2 M6ttl's and an M7 and all felt the same.

My M6 does exactly the same. Resistance is there but can be overcome. Never had any film damage either.

 

[ryan26]

Is the rewind knob bent??

 

[jnovek]

Is the rewind knob bent??

It appears to be straight.

It is possible that I may simply be a weakling. It's happened before.

 

[Clancycoop]

I seem to be differing from what most are saying, perhaps it is due to how I rewind my film, which I have refined over time (and I feel it is very efficient).

I place the camera back against my stomach to stabilize it (with rewind lever up) and then quickly rewind it. I am able to do this quite fast and smoothly because the camera stays put (as opposed to doing it with camera just being held in one hand in which it feels awkward). As I reach the end of the roll, there is one big pull as the leader is released.

Perhaps try rewinding it this way and see if it doesn't feel smoother and less forced. I have found this to be a very effective way to quickly rewind a roll.

Also as someone mentioned, there should be enough pressure that if you lose grip halfway through, it will spin quickly backwards.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mudman]

I definitely feel a chunk of resistance with my M6TTL, a little more than with my nikon fm2n. I think it's the angle of the thing. But having said that, it is constant, and doesn't feel especially hard to move. Agree with the others, slightly more at the tail end of rewinding, and the knob will spin back a bit after releasing early.

 

[Ruhayat]

Oh. I think my M6TTL is fine, then. There is resistance such that if I let go in the midst of rewinding, the film spool spins back a couple of revolutions. I thought it was odd at first, but then I've never torn a single piece of film, so I guess I'll just carry on with mine.

Thanks for this thread, by the way, OP.