I just bought a used 6X7 (MLU) and I have a question as to which way the pressure plate is supposed to be set. When I first got the camera, the film indicator on the back showed a yellow 220 no matter which side the pressure plate is moved to. After jiggling the pressure plate back/forth and up/down several times, I finally got the blue 120 indictor to show up. Now when I move the pressure plate, it alternates between the blue 120 and yellow 220 setting.

When I move the pressure plate all the way to the left, the film indicator on the back shows the blue 120. When I move the pressure plate all the way to the right, the film indicator on the back shows the yellow 220. This seems to be in direct contrast to the 120 and 220 arrows imprinted onto the pressure plate itself or perhaps I'm misintrepeting the intent of the arrows.

My questions: for 120 film, is the pressure plate supposed to be on the left (closest to the film back hinge) and for 220 film, is the pressure plate supposed to be on the right (furthest away from the film back hinge)? Remember, the film indicator originally only showed the yellow 220 no matter which way the pressure plate was set, so I'm not sure I completely trust what it's telling me now.

My apologies if this seems like a bone-head question (Pentax 101 instead of 6X7?), but I want to make sure my camera is set up right before I start running film through it.

-- Ken Bodnar (kbodnar@home.com), April 21, 2000

Answers

It's not you it is the design of the labels that is annoying and confusing to newbies. Whatever it says on the outside when the back is closed is what the camera wind mechanism is set to. Don't feel bad you're not the only one to be confused by this sillyness.

-- Altaf Shaikh (nissar@idt.net), April 21, 2000.

The film indicator on your camera is correct now ; when the pressure plate is on the left (closest to the film back hinge), it is set for 120 film.

-- Stefan Geysen (stefan_geysen@hotmail.com), April 21, 2000.

I received the following from Pentax Canada regarding my question: "The 120 & 220 positions on the pressure plate are a bit confusing. Try this test. When the pressure plate is pushed to the left, it is in the 120 position. The film indicator on the back cover should indicate this. When the pressure plate is pushed to the right, it is in the 220 position. If the film indicator does not correspond, than there may in fact be a malfunction."

Belated thanks to the two individuals who kindly responded to my query.

-- Ken Bodnar (kbodnar@home.com), April 25, 2000.