P3D Re: Fed problems

[jeremy.hinton@xxxxxxxxx]

 Peter Homer <P.J.Homer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes regarding his Fed 
Stereo:
 "A more recent and worse problem is that the ratchet arrangement 
which enables the film take up to free wheel at the end of a film 
rather than lock (an odd idea to me as you may not realise you are out 
of film unless you check the counter each time). Seems to have lost
some tension so that it now slips before the end of a 36 frame film so 
that I get partly double exposed frames first and then some completely 
blank ones so that I only get about 15 pairs from a 36. I have been 
trying to locate some 24 frame slide film to try that but I have not 
been able to find any has any one else had experience with these 
problems and succeeded in correcting them."


This sounds like the main wind-on problem with my original Fed. The 
wind-on crank moves, the shutter cocks, but the film didn't always 
wind on enough - as if the ratchet was slipping.

Between each pull of the crank, I 'flick' the crank handle three times 
(without pulling it far enough round to move the film) - I haven't 
been in to check, but it feels as if this settles a cog into place, as 
it works pretty well. 
More recently, I release the crank right at the end of its travel so 
that it really 'pings' back to its resting place (previously I eased 
it back more gently). This seems to have the same result, and makes me 
feel like I have a less defective camera :) 
I lose very few frames to (at least to defective film transport, 
anyway) now, ;)    



Jeremy

PS Recieved small neat transatlantic package - lost following 24 hours 
in 3DCD oblivion. Could it be a new syndrome?


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