Seriously messed up Widelux F8

[valdas]

Here is the story. Two and a half years ago I bought on ebay Widelux F8. Fantastic cosmetic condition. I have shot a test roll and could not see any issues. However, when inspecting the lens I noticed that there is a piece of solid rubber stuck (or rather put on purpose) between the lens and the panning part (not sure what's called in English). Picture attached. Hm... Two years of happy shooting. But my curiosity or stupidity (don't fix if it ain't broke) took over and I decided to remove that rubber. Came out rather easily. So ok, I now have "perfect" F8 with nothing to worry about... Until I shot "post removal" test roll. See attached. Right side of the image blurred and it seems that this part of the image is projected outside the film area. So this rubber was keeping the lens in place or what? I can's see that lens would be wobbly or anything. So OK, I put the rubber back - not sure if "correctly" and if it serves the same purpose, but will test with the film tomorrow...
Any thoughts?

 

[johannielscom]

Thought: I wasn't planning on getting a Widelux anyway, but the recent posts here about them almost make me wanna keep my Brooks Veriwide 100...

 

[valdas]

If putting that rubber back won't fix the issue I'll own a Widelux with "a twist"...

 

[Arbitrarium]

I know nothing about the camera but could it be a weight? If the lens works by swinging freely, maybe the weight of the rubber helps it spin?

 

[valdas]

I know nothing about the camera but could it be a weight? If the lens works by swinging freely, maybe the weight of the rubber helps it spin?

Unlikely - the spinning speed is unchanged with the removed rubber. Exposure also remains correct. All that changes is that the right part of the image becomes the way I showed in the picture. As one can see the image goes beyond the frame - exposing the perforation on top/bottom and also goes to the side (where frame spacing should appear). And out of focus - as if the lens is in the wrong position when exposing that part of the film.

 

[valdas]

An update.

I put the rubber back (not exactly an easy task - some force needs to be used) and the image is back in focus... So, I guess, I'll have to keep it that way (unless I decide to send for a serious repair, but I'm not sure I want to spend the same amount on repair I paid for the camera).

Below are images with the rubber object removed and then put back:

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Definitely and improvement, regardless of the cosmetic dilemma caused by the rubber piece. We both learned a lesson: in the future, let's not tinker with the stuff we buy while it's working well.

 

[valdas]

An update - it is not a messed up Widelux, it is the stupid person loading the film (me). I wrote to Bob Watkins at Precision camera. He replied: "I think you missed putting the film under one of the rollers that are on either side of the drum. I don't see how it could have anything to do with the rubber piece." Thanks Bob. I removed the rubber again, made sure I loaded the film properly and voila... No issues whatsoever. I love my F8.

 

[p.giannakis]

Maybe consider uploading a video showing how to load the camera.

 

[valdas]

Maybe consider uploading a video showing how to load the camera.

There are plenty of videos on youtube "how to load widelux" already, it's not complicated, it's just the lack of attention from my side...

 

[gdi]

Ha!

I just developed my first rolls from a Noblex 175ux (new toy that I will post on later). And I got similar results - the "warping" on one end. I had already figured out it was because the film was not riding properly alones the curved film rails. On inspection, I realized I had probably loaded it wrong and shot another test roll today. I'll develop it this evening and see how it looks.

I opened your thread and knew immediately that we had the same error. I have had Wideluxes and several 35mm and 150 Noblexes with no such problem, but the 175 is the weirdest to load with three total rollers and two which pivot on brackets. It ain't a quick load scenario, but I anticipate nice big 6x17 negs! (Or, more like 5x17...)

 

[valdas]

Ha!

I just developed my first rolls from a Noblex 175ux (new toy that I will post on later). And I got similar results - the "warping" on one end. I had already figured out it was because the film was not riding properly alones the curved film rails. On inspection, I realized I had probably loaded it wrong and shot another test roll today. I'll develop it this evening and see how it looks.

I opened your thread and knew immediately that we had the same error. I have had Wideluxes and several 35mm and 150 Noblexes with no such problem, but the 175 is the weirdest to load with three total rollers and two which pivot on brackets. It ain't a quick load scenario, but I anticipate nice big 6x17 negs! (Or, more like 5x17...)

Wow, where did you find 175? I have just bought 150 U, already excited, but 175, man...

 

[gdi]

Bob had it, I told him a while back that I wanted one and when it became available I took it. It is a beast - the way they got a wider (somewhat shorter ) negative was to move the film plane back - resulting in a very thick body. It makes my 150u look svelt!