Howdy, I recently began using Horseman 6x9 and 6x7 backs for my new Arca-Swiss 6x9 FC. I'm getting random-width spacing between the frames, worse on the 6x9. So far no overlaps, but it gets close sometimes. I like to print full frame so I need gen erous spacing. I am advancing the film slowly and smoothly as advised in the ins tructions for the backs. Is uneven spacing normal for this type of back? Thanks.
Yes, what you describe is normal. The spacing is not random, but it is uneven. I find the same spacing happens at the same point in the rolls. It's also different for my two backs. My older back, which is not in quite as good of shape, gives me more generous spacing (which I prefer). There should not be any overlap, however; I have two backs that I've used for about 2 1/2 years and there is never any overlap. Try to do two full lever advances rather than several shorter quick ones. This tends to give me a tad more space between frames.
And I thought only my cheap Graflex holders are doing that. Now I am happy I didn't spend $300 for a horseman holder and got 5 Graflex instead.
Since 120/220 doesn't have sprockets like 35mm, this seems to be typical of many MF cameras, since roller friction or the number of turns with an assumption for the film thickness has to determine how much film has wound.
The winding mechanisms are usually designed with enough film spacing to allow some "jitter" of the actual image without overlapping images.
I recently read an ad for a new MF camera - maybe one of the Mamiya 645's - that promised accurate enough winding to actually get one or two more frames per roll than traditionally fit.
I recently had and tested a Kowa Optical Kalloflex TLR. The images were spaced so far apart that I thought I had a problem, but counting the images assured me that I had 12 on the roll.
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