Rolleiflex SL 66 Film Magazines

Introduction

Magazine

The Rollei factory distinguished between ‘Magazin’ (film magazine) and ‘Rückwand’ (film back). The magazine can be dismounted in mid-roll and the simple back lacks this feature so the film has to be finished before the back is removed. For the SL 66 line only film magazines are available.

Features

Just like the SL 66 camera itself, the magazines are complex instruments. Most magazins accept both 120 and 220 size roll film. They have the Rollei film feeler mechanism for automatic film transport by knob to frame 1. A crank is used for film transport from frame 1 to the last frame. When the last frame is exposed and the transport swing is made, the magazine knob pops out and the film can be fully wound.

Considerations when changing the magzine

• Magazines can be exchanged at any time even in mid-roll.
• The magazines contain matched film inserts for proper functioning. Magazine and insert should bare the same number. Either mounted or unmounted, magazines can be loaded with film in the same way, .
• To prevent double or blanc exposures magazines can only be unmounted or mounted when the shutter is cocked and the film transported (Forward and backward swing). The dark slide can only be fully inserted when the shutter is cocked and the film transported. Magazines can only be unmounted or mounted when the dark slide is fully inserted.
• The magazine is safely locked to the body after pulling the dark slide. The dark slide can be stored in the back of the magazine.

Unmounting the magazine

• Check that the crank is locked.
• Insert the dark slide and fully push it in its slot. The magazine lock button is free now.
• Press the magazine lock button and at the same time lift the magazine off, bottom first.

Mounting the magazine

• Check that the crank is locked.
• Hook the magazine, top first, and press it to the camera body to engage the lock.
• Pull out the dark slide and store it in its compartment. The magazine is securily locked now.

Later improvements

Early magazines have inserts that bare the serial numbers on the sides between the film chambers. Later magazines have inserts with serial numbers on the grips. They are clearly visible and can easily be checked against the numbers on the insides of the magazine doors.

Early magazines can be opened by sliding the lock mechanism sideway. Later magazines have a safety catch. The slider has to be moved slightly backward and only then it can be moved sideway.

In 1986 the film feeler mechanism was dropped. Rollei had always been the only producer of medium format cameras to offer this mechanism since 1937. It needed roll film to be standardised in thickness at the point of the the adhesive tape that fixes the film to the backing paper. In the Eighties film became available that no longer complied, causing the mechanism to fail. At the same time separate magazines were introduced for 120 and 220 sizes film. The film inserts became interchangeable but only with other unnumbered inserts.

Film loading

The procedure of film loading is:

• Fold out the crank and perform a complete forward and backward swing. When the crank is stuck, the swing has already been done. Proceed with next point.
• Unlock and open the magazine back. The exposure counter resets to 1. The transport knob jumps out. The film insert can be retrieved from the magazine.
• Check the frame counter for 12 or 24 exposures and choose the desired setting: 12 (16) for 120 size film, 24 (32) for 220 size film (4.5x6 cm). This can be done later with closed magazine providing the frame counter still indicates 1.
• Make sure an empty take-up spool is in place.
• Open the spool holder for unexposed film. Fully remove the adhesive strip of an unexposed roll film. Insert the film with the black side of the backing paper outside, close the spool holder and fold the paper backward around the insert. Insert the paper in a slot of the take-up spool and make 1 - 2 revolutions by turning the gearing-wheel of the insert to tighten the film. Third type magazines for SL 66 X and SE only: Wind on until the arrow marking on the backing paper coincides with the arrow mark on the insert.
• Put the insert in the magazine. The take-up spool side first. Check that the gearing-wheels of insert and magazine catch. With the magazine still open, check film transport by slightly turning the transport knob. Now close the magazine.
• Turn the transport knob until it stops. Push the transport knob in. The Rollei automatic roll film transport has stopped the film at frame 1. From now until the last frame use the crank for film transport. After exposing the last frame a final full forward and backward swing of the crank has to be made.
• Mark on the bottom of the magazine: .| means not loaded, .- means loaded with film.

Film unloading

The procedure of film unloading is:

• After exposing the last frame, make a full swing with the crank: forward and backward. While doing this the transport knob jumps out indicating the last frame has been exposed. If the crank cannot be turned the swing has already been made. Turn the transport knob until it turns freely, indicating that the film has been fully wound.
• Open the magazine. Take out the insert. Open the film holder and take the film out.
• Move the empty film spool to the other film chamber. The insert is now ready to accept a new roll film.

Unloading and loading a SL 66 magazine on Youtube.

Two remarks. Near the end of the film the maker shows how the magazine can be unmounted. What he does not show is that the dark slide has to be inserted first. He does not have to, the dark slide is already in place from the start. In my view there is no point in leaving the dark slide in. It is safer to pull it right after mounting the magazine. The magazine is securily locked to the body that way. The film shows an early insert with the serial number on the side.

Film Magazines

First Type: Film Magazines for the Rolleiflex SL 66

Common Features: Separately sold magazines had a protective back shield. 4.5x6 cm magazines were supplied with finder masks. All magazines fit all SL 66 line cameras, although this type of magazine is not fit for exposure metering even if the camera is equipped with an exposure meter.

Second Type: Film Magazines for the Rolleiflex SL 66 E and the SL 66 X

Common Features: Separately sold magazines had a protective back shield. 4.5x6 cm magazines were supplied with finder masks. All magazines fit all SL 66 line cameras, this type of magazine is fit for exposure metering on suitable cameras. The original SL 66 has no exposure meter.

Third Type: Film Magazines for the Rolleiflex SL 66 X and the SL 66 SE

Common Features: Separately sold magazines had a protective back shield. 4.5x6 cm magazines were supplied with finder masks. All magazines fit all SL 66 line of cameras, this type of magazine is fit for exposure metering on suitable cameras. The original SL 66 has no exposure meter.

Notes

[1]

The cameras of the SL 66 line were usually sold with a film magazine. The figure represents the total number of all separately sold magazines in this group. Back

[2]

The inserts of this first type of magazines are not interchangeable. Magazine and insert should bare the same serial number. Back

[3]

The inserts of this second type of magazines are not interchangeable. Magazine and insert should bare the same serial number. Back

[4]

The inserts of this third type of magazines are interchangeable within this group. The inserts bare no serial numbers. Back