P3D Re: Image Overlap

["David W. Kesner" <drdave@xxxxxxxxxx>]

In p3D 3596 Mark Hatfield asks:

> I get an image overlap of perhaps 1-2mm. This only happened on 3 or 4
> images but I'm trying to decide if I have a real problem here. This same
> camera managed to strip the sprockets out of a roll of Fuji Sensia about
> halfway through.

All three of the Realist cameras I have owned (two 3.5's and my 
current 2.8) have all exhibited the advance problems you are 
describing. My solution, which has and is working perfectly, is to 
"loosen" the film before each advance. All you need do is to turn the 
rewind knob a turn in the forward direction (this is the left hand one 
with the film canister). This loosens the film and allows the take up 
spool to pull the film forward very easily. I now always get very 
evenly spaced images and have not torn one sprocket hole. Others 
have suggested moving the focus to infinity to reduce the pressure, 
but I have found this is not necessary with my method.

I realize this now adds one more procedure to the already 
complicated process, but it works!

1) Set shutter speed
2) Set fstop
3) Loosen film
4) Push advance release button
5) Advance film
6) Cock shutter
7) Focus
8) Push shutter release button

Hope this helps.

That's all for now,

David W. Kesner
Boise, Idaho, USA
drdave@xxxxxxxxxx