Can't win 'em all

[PaulC]

A Selfix 220 I picked up a while back for a few quid turns out to be a bit of a dud, even though it all works. At least the light leak adds an aura of antique authenticity:



I think I'll be flogging this one on to a souvenir shop in this very (posh) souq.

[fish4570]

well, there you go ...

[Nesster]

It may be a matter of adjusting infinity, though perhaps the lens won't yield all that much even so

[PaulC]

It seems to focus OK but there is a persistent light leak and something is also scratching the film - possibly just the 6x4.5 film gate flaps, in which case it might do better in 6x6 mode. Anyway, with a bit of haggling I might be able to get $100 for it, which would be a nice profit (and it would please my wife to see a few of these go out of the door).

This is the best it managed - and look at the strange vertical scratches. I've never seen anything like that before.



The light leak may be to do with the strangely positioned frame window even though it was shut most of the time.

[Nesster]

That is strange... and $100 for the camera is high way robbery so you'll do well

[PaulC]

If you think that's robbery, you should see the trashed folders they are selling for QR880 (standard price, but for you my friend, just QR800) which is $240. I'm talking about things like a Nettar 517 with fungus in the lens, jammed shutter and rust all over the body, torn covering etc.

That will cost you more than $200 in Doha.

Which is why I should be able to get $100 for one that works.

[PaulC]

Just wondering ... could the back plate be over-tensioning the film so that each time I turn it the wheel I stretch it over the rollers? Would that give vertical strain cracks?

[Nesster]

Good theory. I'm dragging a roll of 120 with the spindle snipped through a Duaflex right now, so the whole thing is under a lot of tension. I'll see what happens.

The paper backing however would seem to take most of the strain.

[mo]

I like the aged look...maybe there is a market to sell aged photos of the
area to tourists??Fully declared off course they are replicas

[PaulC]

[mo]

I think it's something that is possible....how do they look printed on paper,just assuming there is a difference from viewing them on a screen? Try a portrait and see how it turns out?
Remember people pay money to get this look you have the genuine article.

[luisalegria]

Things I'm suspecting - maybe all are true ?

a. Film flatness
b. More than one light leak, maybe in the bellows ?
c. Badly needs a hood
d. Haze somewhere

[mo]

Paul is this the camera?

Click here to see on Ebay

[PaulC]