Adaptor for rewind knob

[toffeespin]

I just got a used rangefinder off ebay. The brand is Balda, of German make. One problem I have with it is that it is very difficult to rewind the 35mm film using the screw type rewind knob on the RF. Had a couple of frustrating attempts and I ended up with blistered fingers and thumbs. Does anyone know whether I can get a rewind knob adaptor here in Singapore?

 

[juggler]

Sounds painful. Can the knob be lifted up before rewind?

 

[szekiat]

use a pair of pliers. No seriously though, i just wrap a rubberband around my camera strap (those thick ones) and use it when necessary. This applies to the older leicas as well.

 

[toffeespin]

Hi Juggler, yes the knob can be lifted up before rewind. In fact, it needs to be lifted up to receive the film canister.

Hi Szekiat, that's a great tip. Thanks, I'll try that.

I noticed that there's some reddish specks released from the take up spool of the camera each time I rewind. Don't look like it came from scraping the film or anything. Wonder what that is.. but it seems to release some of the tightness when I rewind the next time. Hope I'm not destroying some interior parts by overzealous cranking.

 

[szekiat]

can only think of only 2 things, bakelite gears (which was used before plastic) or latex grease.

 

[toffeespin]

Thanks again for your insight, Szekiat

This long weekend will see me tinkering happily with my "toy", blistered fingers or not.. hehe

 

[meeky]

could the red specks be dried blood?

*gasp*

 

[juggler]

Hi Juggler, yes the knob can be lifted up before rewind. In fact, it needs to be lifted up to receive the film canister.

Hi Szekiat, that's a great tip. Thanks, I'll try that.

I noticed that there's some reddish specks released from the take up spool of the camera each time I rewind. Don't look like it came from scraping the film or anything. Wonder what that is.. but it seems to release some of the tightness when I rewind the next time. Hope I'm not destroying some interior parts by overzealous cranking.

That's not so bad to rewind. The worst I ever encountered was to rewind on a Russian Fed 4b. There's no rewind lever. The rewind knob is just a little protruding wheel like those volume controls on a small transistor radio! Imagine that!

See if you can remove the rewind knob for some inspection and cleaning with lighter fluid etc. Enjoy taking pictures!

 

[toffeespin]

Hi meeky,

Haha, very creative of you to suggest that. I sure hope my toy does not come with such souvenirs. The stuff does not look like caked blood but you are welcome to check it out if you wish.

Hi Juggler,

You know, sometimes I wish someone can come up with a hand held contraption to do this sort of rewinding for us so we can concentrate on more important stuff like taking pictures. Something like the gadget shown in this link will be nice http://www.apackaging.com/machines/9-capping-machine-manual.asp. Of course, gotta modify it so that it doesn't rip the film from the spool or deform the fragile knobs.

I may bring the camera in for inspection and CLA one of these days, but for now, just got to make do first. Anyway, I notice my fingers are in the process of becoming adapted to the knob.

 

[Ansel]

A very simple contraption. It's called band-aid. Just apply it to your fingers before rewind, and after that just remove from finger and dispose. ;p

 

[juggler]

I have seen some finger protection product similar to this in local hardware shops. Maybe can get to try.
http://www.brasel.com/fingerprotection.html

 

[toffeespin]

Hey thanks Juggler, looks like its time for me to hit the hardware shops this weekend