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Subject: loading the TL-120
Date: 2008-03-09 09:30:54
From: Bob Venezia
Just picked up my TL-120 from the Post Office yesterday morning, and
I loaded some film last night. It took me a while to navigate the
loading knobs and the spool supports. And once I got the film
threaded across the back, the paper back did not lay completely flat
on the take-up spool side. I'm not sure if there's something I missed
in getting everything re-seated.

I wondered if the pressure plate would fix the apparent un-flatness,
so I closed it and wound it. I'm still not confident it's seated
correctly, but I'll go out and shoot a roll and try again with the
next roll.

Anybody have some film-loading tips 'n' tricks?

tia,
Bob Venezia
Subject: Re: loading the TL-120
Date: 2008-03-09 13:02:00
From: John Thurston
Bob Venezia wrote:
>
> Just picked up my TL-120 from the Post Office yesterday
> morning, and I loaded some film last night. It took me a
> while to navigate the loading knobs and the spool
> supports.

> Anybody have some film-loading tips 'n' tricks?

I find the newer version to be easier to load than my
original. The spingy-bits inside are positioned a bit
differently. But, I have to agree that I find loading the
TL120 to be a bit fiddly.

That said, as long as I have the backing paper centered on
the take-up spool, I never have any problems with the film
creeping up or down. I never end up with slightly scrunched
paper at the end of the roll the way I sometimes did with my
Sputnik.

When I was taking pictures of my original TL120 back in
August of '06, I was using a roll of backing paper and
running it back and forth. I was really counting required
strokes and testing different parts, but a side effect was
that I had a lot of practice loading and unloading. My
several rolls of backing paper are some of my favorite things
on my desk :)
________________________________________
John Thurston
Juneau, Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us
Subject: Re: loading the TL-120
Date: 2008-03-09 23:09:34
From: Bob Venezia
I find the newer version to be easier to load than my
original. The spingy-bits inside are positioned a bit
differently. But, I have to agree that I find loading the
TL120 to be a bit fiddly.

That said, as long as I have the backing paper centered on
the take-up spool, I never have any problems with the film
creeping up or down. I never end up with slightly scrunched
paper at the end of the roll the way I sometimes did with my
Sputnik.

As expected, you are right on the money, John. I think the backing paper on the take-up spool must have been off by just a hair. It felt a little strained winding the film on that roll, and when I was finished there was a wee scrap of backing paper that had torn off, so it must have been rubbing. I think this can all be explained by the formula:

OG + NT = :^(

(Over-Excited Geek + New Toy does not lead to happiness.)

The next roll worked fine, as did subsequent rolls. I visited the Washington Park Arboretum and the Japanese Garden on a nice day with high clouds.

I did get to experience a couple of design flaws in the first person. Being new with the camera, after first loading the film, I *intended* to check the light meter reading by pressing the shutter half-way. heh heh. I quickly learned to use the *other* button. And I've adopted the practice of waiting to advance the film (and cock the shutter) until I'm ready to shoot.

And a friend at my club warned me about the latch that opens the back a little too easily, and I saw what he meant as I took the camera out of my bag. He tapes his latch down after loading, and I will do likewise.

He also advised unscrewing the battery cover just enough so the meter doesn't function when you're done.

I'm really thrilled with the new toy! I love the idea of half-stop apertures. Thanks so much for your response. I'll let you know how it comes out!

And thanks so much for the web pages on the TL-120! I found them to be a great resource!

cheers,
Bob
Subject: Re: loading the TL-120
Date: 2008-03-10 12:21:20
From: John Thurston
Bob Venezia wrote:

> And a friend at my club warned me about the latch that
> opens the back a little too easily, and I saw what he
> meant as I took the camera out of my bag. He tapes his
> latch down after loading, and I will do likewise.

Hmm. This is a new one on me.

I used to tape the barn door on my Sputnik but I've never
had the door open on my TL120. I take no special care of the
latch as I drag it out and cram it into my pack. I'll have
to compare my old and new versions and see if the new latch
stands more proud than the old.

Has anyone else seen this?

> He also advised unscrewing the battery cover just enough
> so the meter doesn't function when you're done.

Is this because his meter is drawing power while idle or
because he's afraid something is going to press the meter
button and drain the battery?

Last time I checked the power draw of the meter, my estimate
was that the meter could be run continuously for several
days before depleting the batteries.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MF3D-group/message/1136
Now that I have a newer camera, I'll see about repeating the
measurement to see if the power-draw has changed.

> I'm really thrilled with the new toy!

As much fun as it can be to shoot, it's the pictures that
matter. Let us know how your images turn out, Bob :)
--
John Thurston
Juneau Alaska
http://stereo.thurstons.us
Subject: Re: loading the TL-120
Date: 2008-03-11 01:22:29
From: Bob Venezia
> He also advised unscrewing the battery cover just enough
> so the meter doesn't function when you're done.

Is this because his meter is drawing power while idle or
because he's afraid something is going to press the meter
button and drain the battery?

I'll have to check with him specifically at the next meeting, but the message was that the batteries drain unless they're removed from the contact.

Last time I checked the power draw of the meter, my estimate
was that the meter could be run continuously for several
days before depleting the batteries.
http://tech. groups.yahoo. com/group/ MF3D-group/ message/1136
Now that I have a newer camera, I'll see about repeating the
measurement to see if the power-draw has changed.

> I'm really thrilled with the new toy!

As much fun as it can be to shoot, it's the pictures that
matter. Let us know how your images turn out, Bob :)

Just got some film back, and the pictures are lovely and tack-sharp. Aside from some shots on the roll in the camera when the door flew open, the camera did great. It is awesome to have super sharp lenses, a functioning light meter, half-stop apertures, a bright viewfinder, a range of shutter speeds, and a depth of field scale all in one unit with no light leaks. Except when the door flies open. I think a little light might have leaked in then. :^)

Bob

Subject: TL-120
Date: 2008-03-11 10:20:53
From: jamesbharp
Bob, I look forward to seeing what you do with your TL120. You've gotten some amazing
results from that Sputnik of yours. What I have found especially enjoyable about the TL120
has been the ability to precisely focus at close distances. I've taken numerous portraits at 1
meter or so. As a long time Sputnik user I found the 3D World finder to be awkward. I love
being able to compose a shot from a waist level finder, and this also makes candids easier to
take. I found a folding Hasselblad finder cheap on ebay and haven't used the original finder
since. I am frustrated with the lack of a shutter lock. It's extremely easy to fire that shutter
accidentally. The strap seems designed to do this. I've had it fire while trying to screw in a
cable release, and have even had it fire seemingly for no reason while I was winding to the
next exposure. Once that happens a few times you miss the Sputnik shutter-cocking
routine. It sounds like you're already into the routine of winding your TL 120 just before
shooting. This doesn't help much with getting spontaneous family shots.

Jim Harp