Picture Spacing on medium format negatives problem

[Martin]

February 2, 2008 at 9:18 pm

Just got a Bronica SQA from ebay during the week. Shot two 120 roles today and developed them.

The spacing of the pictures on the first role i exposed was fine. Ranged from 4mm to 8mm of a gap which is fine and i can live with that

The spacing of the pictures on the second role of film was anything from 0mm to 40mm (only one gap of 40mm and the other gaps anything from 0mm to 20mm). All pictures came out which is fine but the spacing is a bit of a worry and am afraid this could become worse. Is this a problem with the 120 back or the camera body. One other thing i noticed is that when winding to the next frame i normally have to wind it 360 degrees. Mid role on the second role of film i had to wind 540 degrees for one shot (1.5 revolutions which would explain the 40mm gap)

Any ideas suggestions? is it the body or the back or a bit of both. What should I do basically?

Thanks in advance
Martin

[Pitmatic]

February 2, 2008 at 10:23 pm

I dont know if this is of any use to you martin but way back (way way back) my first camera was a bakealite browne that had a waistfinder if you know what I mean.

I used to take the films from 120’s (these where expired and i got for free) put them onto 220 spindles so the camera could have film :)

Sometimes the spacing varied abit if i had not wound the film onto the spindles properly (a bit loose) so it could be a problem with the film or the back i suppose not very helpfull but i did have something similar happen to me maybe try a few more films? and see what happens i think backs appear regulary on ebay and are quite cheap but thats the joy of the bronica i think is that the spares are available.

I had that brownie about 1978 and the camera was old then *sniff*

[Fintan]

February 2, 2008 at 11:13 pm

Martin wrote:

Any ideas suggestions? is it the body or the back or a bit of both. What should I do basically?

Thanks in advance
Martin

It’s unlikely to be the body. It’s either user error or the back itself. I have had some spacing issues with some of my backs (hasselblad), in the early days with the camera I did not notice a little clip guiding the film through the back, I read something on a forum about the clip and the framing issue disapeared for about 5 years, then a service cleared it up again.

[Martin]

February 2, 2008 at 11:24 pm

Thanks guys, if it’s not raining tomorrow i will try to get out and shoot another role. Will make sure the role is nice and tight and not lose after loading etc. Will have a look at the back and make sure that I am loading it 100% and there are no clips etc. Will keep an eye out for another 120 back on ebay. Wanted to get a second back anyhow, this will tell me if it is a problem with the back if its not user error

Thanks again guys
Martin

[GCP]

February 3, 2008 at 1:16 am

Never saw that problem in any of my Bronica’s or the other people I know who were/are Bronica users, but its a known problem on Hasselblad backs. As they get older the space between the frames narrows. It can be sorted out at a repair centre – not a big problem I’m told but its more than likely the back thats faulty.