Super Ikonta - marks on the film

[pschauss]

I have two 530A's. One works perfectly and on the other, some of the pictures, usually the first one or two frames, come out looking like the sample below. (Note, this is a 50% crop, printed on 5x7" paper and then scanned.) I am guessing that this comes from dirt on the film, but when I look at the negative, some of the defects look like scratches.

I have cleaned the areas around the feed and takeup spools quite thoroughly and the inside of the bellows looks clean. What else am I missing?

 

[jnoir]

The only part where the film is actually in contact with the camera is "between rollers", so I'd make sure the left roller does not have anything causing the issue, then clean thoroughly the areas around the film gate and the pressure plate too, also maybe using a rubber hand blower can help.

If you pass the tip of your fingers through these areas, do they feel smooth, etc ?

 

[pschauss]

Thanks for the suggestions. The rollers are smooth but when I laid a ruller across the rollers with the bellows collapsed I discovered that the bellows protrude far enough that the film plane. Thus, if I have the camera closed when I wind the film, the film will rub against the bellows. Since I normally have the camera closed when I load it and advance to the first frame, this would explain why I see all of the marks on the first frame and not on the later ones.

 

[graywolf]

Advancing the film with the camera closed is not a good idea. I never imagined anyone would do that. Since I started photography in early 1950's with an old folding Kodak given to me by a lady down the street, and I do not remember anyone showing me how to use the camera, it is probably strange that I always thought closed was for storage and open was for use. I carried that camera in the hip pocket of my jeans and used it until the bellows fell apart.

It does seem like you have found the problem. Hopefully, you did not damage the bellows too badly.

 

[Thomas78]

I also advance the film only when the camera is open.
There is only a need for an additional opening when I load the camera without taking the first picture. If I do not take the picture before closing again, I do not fully advance to picture no. 1.
When I want to take a picture, I open the camera, advance to next frame, cock the shutter and fire it (hopefully with the right settings). The only obvious exception is the last frame on the roll.

I hope you can enjoy your Super Ikonta without makrs on your next films.


Another Question: Do you think long periods of storage (over one month) are ok in the folded mode or do you store your folders open, if you don not use them for a longer period?

 

[Pherdinand]

folded storage is no problem at all. I have a Super Ikonta that is with the original bellows in excellent shape, and it was mostly stored (even in its leather case).
I also store it folded, for years. Though i did get rid of the case.

 

[graywolf]

Many of these old cameras have sat in a drawer for 75* or more years and the bellows are still good. High temperature, humidity, chemical fumes, and dirt seem to be what causes damage to bellows; not leaving them folded.

*My Kodak Duo Six-20 is that old and the bellows is OK. Some of the old paper or plastic bellows have not aged well however, like on my Kodak Monitor.