Rolleiflex 3.5f - skipping frames?

yossarian123

yossarian123

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I bought a 3.5f and the first roll was fine as far as exposure, I noticed that frame #4 was blank (unexposed). I chalked it up to user error, but I just loaded up my 2nd roll. I wasn't really paying attention but now I notice that I'm on frame 5 after only shooting 3 shots. So it seems like its skipping a frame at the same spot in the roll.

Does this sound like a common error? I bought it from KEH so I only have a couple of days to return it - I can also send it in for warranty repair.
 
Sounds strange to me. Mine never did that. Try one more roll, being careful to watch out for what happens when you wind on to each new frame.
 
When I did my first roll with my Rolleiflex 4x4, the first two frames were blank, 3&4 did overlap, 5-7 were blank, 8&9 did overlap, 10 - 14(!) were ok
(the numbers are not refering to the film counter of the Rollei, but the space on the film and the the film just ended with the 14th frame).

Since the second film this effect was gone: no blank frames and frame spacing was ok.
 
It might work itself out But probably not. For it to be the same frame is not a good sign. Could be a defect in the frame spacing disk itself.

It might be worth sacrificing a roll of 120. Run it through and see what happens. Roll it backwards and do it all again.

Very simply, Rolleiflexes should not do this.If it continues doing it, send it back. If it is a great deal, get them to service it. If not a great deal, simply return it and find a working F.
 
Thanks for the help. I just finished the 2nd roll and will start a 3rd roll to verify.

It wasn't a great deal (from KEH) but it was advertised as 100% working. One of the reasons I bought from KEH was their 6 month warranty. I just hope their repair shop knows a thing or two about Rolleis.
 
'Wrong' in loading a Rollieflex would cause the film to simply wind through all the way without ever stopping. For it to stop on a few frames, skip a frame, then wind correctly again is not a loading error symptom.
 
Well, I have the results back from the latest roll. This time there are two frames that didn't come out - although this time it looks like both frames were overexposed as in completely blacked out. And for each of those frames, I remember winding the film properly and setting the shutter. Then when I actually pressed the shutter nothing happened.

Looks like this one is going to KEH for repair service.
 
After speaking with KEH on the phone, they agreed to accept a return on the Rollei even though it was a week outside of the 2 week return window. I ended up doing an exchange for an EX 3.5F Xenotar at $100 more than what I originally paid. So I'm going from a BGN Planar to an EX Xenotar.
 
Although I've only been shooting with it for 3 weeks (first time shooting med format too) I couldn't stand the thought of having it gone for a month or more at the repair shop. My jaw keeps hitting the floor every time I see the scans.
 
yossarian123 said:
Although I've only been shooting with it for 3 weeks (first time shooting med format too) I couldn't stand the thought of having it gone for a month or more at the repair shop. My jaw keeps hitting the floor every time I see the scans.
Click to expand...

Never, ever, buy a 6x7 or 6x9 camera. :p
 
I think you did well on that return -- the additional $100 is worth it. It will be interesting to see if you notice any difference between the Planar and Xenotar.

oftheherd is right -- you may hurt yourself if you look at scans from, say, a Pentax 67.
 
Oh come on, people, nothing super magical about 6x7 or 6x9 over 6x6. a little more side to side room, but for standard viewing that's just real estate, not resolution. And the Planar and Xenotar lenses on a Rolleiflex can hold their own with other cameras.

I hope the new-to-you F works well and you can settle into using a great camera soon.
 
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