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steved55 · Joined: 10 Feb 2016 Posts: 15 Location: Penna

Cannot figure out how to unload the film. Lever won't go further. Counter reads 8 (??) I pushed the chrome small lever beneath the blue lever, but nothing. I'm aware the clasp at right of the unit opens the back and is purposefully designed to ruin your film if not wound up. HELP PLEASE!!

Henry · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 7:20 pm Post subject:

Steve, you must wind all of the film onto the take-up spool by working the film advance lever. Keep flicking that little metal piece if necessary. Once the advance lever turns without resistance, the film will now be completely rolled onto the spool, and you can safely remove the film by opening the back. The film backing paper on the roll protects it from light.
Where are you in PA?

steved55 · Joined: 10 Feb 2016 Posts: 15 Location: Penna

Thank you very much for the update and additional instructions. I did continue to move the silver lever however there is no ability to move the wind-up lever. It appears to be locked in place. Don't know why. By the way I live in Hanover PA I will keep trying and let you know the outcome.

steved55 · Joined: 10 Feb 2016 Posts: 15 Location: Penna

I again moved the small silver lever and found the wind lever will move, but with a very heavy throw. I was able to get it to the 10 and prep the film for development. Don't know why the action became so heavy at the 8 shot point. I'll see if there is some why to service it ? I suppose it can be expected for something over 50 years old. Thanks for the insight. Now to see if I can find any service instructions. Steve

William Hallett · Joined: 07 Jan 2012 Posts: 93

It is quite normal for the resistance of the lever to increase as the film is advanced further. The reason is simple: as the take-up spool fills up with the exposed roll, the tension from the film acts at an increasingly large radius, producing a larger torque on the spool and the take-up lever.
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WilliamH

Henry · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2024 6:27 pm Post subject:

Steve, I once had a stubborn very stiff winding lever on an RH10, and I "cured" it by removing the flat washer from beneath the winding key that's inside the winder back. As I recall, that winding key has a LH thread. Once the washer was removed, the lever moved free and easy, and with no ill effects otherwise. It's been a long time ago, so don't hold me to the details!