Can you change filters on a Noblex panoramic camera without exposing the film?
Asked 1/23/2022
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On Noblex rotating-lens panoramic film cameras, the filter is fitted by manually rotating the lens drum and attaching the filter to the lens inside. Since these cameras don’t use a conventional shutter in the usual way, it can seem like opening access to the lens would let light reach the film and ruin a frame. Is there a safe way to install or remove a filter without losing an exposure?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
4y ago
2 Answers
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I've owned a Noblex 135 S for almost 20 years, and I just learned in the past few days how to do this...
There's a key step in the German-language user manual, which was omitted from the English-language manual for some reason:
"Stellen Sie die Kamera in Normallage; mit dem Objektiv leicht geneigt nach vorn."
"Put the camera in the normal [upright] position, with the lens slightly tilted forward."
Listen carefully when you tilt the camera forward – you can hear something falling into place inside the camera – this is a cover for the slit in the drum, so that when you rotate the drum to access the lens, no light penetrates through to the film chamber, and you can thereby install/remove filters without wasting any film or ruining any exposures. If you perform this process with the back of the camera open – without film loaded of course! – you can actually see the cover in question, doing its job of blocking the slit. Compare the following two photos showing the uncovered slit, and with the cover in place.
Originally by user38159. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user38159
4y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. On at least some Noblex models, you can change filters without exposing the film if you follow the correct procedure.
A key step reportedly appears in the German manual but was omitted from the English one: hold the camera upright with the lens slightly tilted forward. In that position, an internal cover drops into place over the slit in the drum. Users report you can often hear it click or fall into position. Once that cover is in place, you can rotate the drum as instructed to access the lens and fit or remove the magnetic filter without light reaching the film.
If you don’t do this, rotating the drum may expose a frame. And if you’re unsure whether your specific camera is working correctly, doing the operation in complete darkness (for example in a changing bag) is a safe fallback.
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