Pentax 67 Loading Issues

ivandimarco · 07-14-2019, 05:46 AM

Hi everyone,

I've recently got my first Pentax 67 from Japan.
It has been sold to me as Excellent++++ (usual Japanese ratings you get on eBay!) but when I finally tried to load it yesterday the issue started.
I'm not new to film photography and I've loaded a lot of 35 and medium format cameras but something really unusual happened to me.

First of all I'd like to say that:

. The camera was set to take 120 rolls
. A new battery was fitted in
. The button on the side was set to 10

Here's the problem:
I loaded the 67 as you normally do, stopping the start arrow where it should be placed.
Then I've closed the back and started to wind the lever waiting for the resistance to start, but it didn't happen.

Basically what I've done is moving the unexposed film from a spool to another one and, during the process I wasn't able to fire.

Does it sound like something is broken or it was actually me that I've done it wrong?

Thanks

tuco · 07-14-2019, 11:23 AM

That doesn't sound good of course. It might be worth trying again at the expense of another roll. I had that happen once on my GX617 but only once so far. Do you know how to set the camera to fire without film in it? Also try that and see if it winds each shot.

Note, in addition to the 120/220 selector on the side of the body, the pressure plate should also be set to a matching 120 on the inside of the door. And my Pentax 67 has no button on the side to be set at "10".

ivandimarco · 07-14-2019, 12:06 PM

Hi there and thanks very much for your answer!
I've tried to load 2 rolls in the field. I thought I could have done something wrong while loading the first one, so I went for a second roll but it happens exactly the same.

I've tried to fire the camera without film and it worked with no issues.

Yep, on the side the camera is set to 10 as you said.

Honestly I've seen so many tutorials online and read every single page of the manual that I felt so confident about how to use it!
Hope isn't something too expensive to fix (If broken).
The other option would be returning the camera, but I've waited so long to get my hands on a 67...
Will call a couple of camera repair shops tomorrow and see what they can do about.

---------- Post added 07-14-19 at 12:16 PM ----------

Originally posted by tuco

Note, in addition to the 120/220 selector on the side of the body

Sorry, I didn't read it well and I answered wrongly in my previous reply. Yes, in addition to the side button, the plate is set to 120.
Sorry again

**pentaxus** · 07-15-2019, 07:20 AM

Some early 6X7 cameras have a 10/21 setting instead of the 120/220 labeling of later cameras.

ivandimarco · 07-15-2019, 07:33 AM

I've just dropped the camera to Cameratiks in Edinburgh.
They said they will have to repair and reset the transport mechanism which, apparently, is a common problem that affect the early 6x7 bodies

tuco · 07-15-2019, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by pentaxus

Some early 6X7 cameras have a 10/21 setting instead of the 120/220 labeling of later cameras.

Okay thanks.

@ivandimarco: When you say '67' it means a generational different camera than when you say, '6x7'. It's how Pentax branded that camera and gear.

ivandimarco · 07-15-2019, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by tuco

Okay thanks.

@ivandimarco: When you say '67' it means a generational different camera than when you say, '6x7'. It's how Pentax branded that camera and gear.

Alright, I'm quite new to the Pentax world and I've noticed it only later!

tuco · 07-15-2019, 10:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ivandimarco

Alright, I'm quite new to the Pentax world and I've noticed it only later!

And when you shop for lenses, that can be a very important differentiation too. For example, a SMC 67 55/4 lens is not the same as a SMC 6x7 55/4. Similarly with the 67 vs 6x7 200/4. These lenses were optically updated while the others just got a cosmetic update.

Here are my 6x7 and 67. You can see the logo change.

07-14-2019, 05:46 AM	#1
ivandimarco New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 17	Pentax 67 Loading Issues Hi everyone, I've recently got my first Pentax 67 from Japan. It has been sold to me as Excellent++++ (usual Japanese ratings you get on eBay!) but when I finally tried to load it yesterday the issue started. I'm not new to film photography and I've loaded a lot of 35 and medium format cameras but something really unusual happened to me. First of all I'd like to say that: . The camera was set to take 120 rolls . A new battery was fitted in . The button on the side was set to 10 Here's the problem: I loaded the 67 as you normally do, stopping the start arrow where it should be placed. Then I've closed the back and started to wind the lever waiting for the resistance to start, but it didn't happen. Basically what I've done is moving the unexposed film from a spool to another one and, during the process I wasn't able to fire. Does it sound like something is broken or it was actually me that I've done it wrong? Thanks

07-14-2019, 11:23 AM	#2
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,032	That doesn't sound good of course. It might be worth trying again at the expense of another roll. I had that happen once on my GX617 but only once so far. Do you know how to set the camera to fire without film in it? Also try that and see if it winds each shot. Note, in addition to the 120/220 selector on the side of the body, the pressure plate should also be set to a matching 120 on the inside of the door. And my Pentax 67 has no button on the side to be set at "10". Last edited by tuco; 07-14-2019 at 11:35 AM.

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07-14-2019, 12:06 PM	#3
ivandimarco New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Hi there and thanks very much for your answer! I've tried to load 2 rolls in the field. I thought I could have done something wrong while loading the first one, so I went for a second roll but it happens exactly the same. I've tried to fire the camera without film and it worked with no issues. Yep, on the side the camera is set to 10 as you said. Honestly I've seen so many tutorials online and read every single page of the manual that I felt so confident about how to use it! Hope isn't something too expensive to fix (If broken). The other option would be returning the camera, but I've waited so long to get my hands on a 67... Will call a couple of camera repair shops tomorrow and see what they can do about. ---------- Post added 07-14-19 at 12:16 PM ---------- Originally posted by tuco Note, in addition to the 120/220 selector on the side of the body Sorry, I didn't read it well and I answered wrongly in my previous reply. Yes, in addition to the side button, the plate is set to 120. Sorry again

07-15-2019, 07:20 AM	#4
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	Some early 6X7 cameras have a 10/21 setting instead of the 120/220 labeling of later cameras.

07-15-2019, 07:33 AM	#5
ivandimarco New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 17 Original Poster	I've just dropped the camera to Cameratiks in Edinburgh. They said they will have to repair and reset the transport mechanism which, apparently, is a common problem that affect the early 6x7 bodies

07-15-2019, 09:24 AM	#6
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,032	Originally posted by pentaxus Some early 6X7 cameras have a 10/21 setting instead of the 120/220 labeling of later cameras. Okay thanks. @ivandimarco: When you say '67' it means a generational different camera than when you say, '6x7'. It's how Pentax branded that camera and gear.

07-15-2019, 09:48 AM	#7
ivandimarco New Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Originally posted by tuco Okay thanks. @ivandimarco: When you say '67' it means a generational different camera than when you say, '6x7'. It's how Pentax branded that camera and gear. Alright, I'm quite new to the Pentax world and I've noticed it only later!

07-15-2019, 10:12 AM - 1 Like	#8
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,032	Originally posted by ivandimarco Alright, I'm quite new to the Pentax world and I've noticed it only later! And when you shop for lenses, that can be a very important differentiation too. For example, a SMC 67 55/4 lens is not the same as a SMC 6x7 55/4. Similarly with the 67 vs 6x7 200/4. These lenses were optically updated while the others just got a cosmetic update. Here are my 6x7 and 67. You can see the logo change.