Canon FTb Quick Load Issue

mdwilbourne · Mar 2, 2015

Hello,
My quick load feature has suddenly stopped working on my vintage FTb; the lever is moving fine, and the button on the bottom of the body is turning as well, but the film isn't being taken up and moved at all. Any ideas as to what I might could do to fix the problem, or is this an issue for a repairman?

summicron1 · Mar 3, 2015

You don't say if the take-up spindle is turning too -- if it is, try cleaning those little rubber pads on the film catch/load mechanism with alcohol or something similar -- this happened to my brother's Ftb and those had quit gripping the film. Cleaning them restored the grip.

If the take-up spindle inside the camera is NOT turning when you advance the film, time to have it serviced or find a new body.

mdwilbourne · Mar 3, 2015

The take up spindle is indeed turning, and after cleaning the pads there's still no film movement. The rubber isn't dried or cracked, and the film leader is wide enough that it hits the rubber pads. I just can't figure out what could have gone wrong!

bernard_L · Mar 3, 2015

Possibly the rubber is dry and hard from age. Try rubbing it with medium grade abrasive paper; be sure to blow away the debris once done.

Xmas · Mar 3, 2015

bernard_L said:
Possibly the rubber is dry and hard from age. Try rubbing it with medium grade abrasive paper; be sure to blow away the debris once done.

Alternatively a dab from qtip dipped in kerosene and leaving the back open for a week this will soften the rubber & works with (noisy) hard V and WWW belt drives on autos... donno if it will upset film...

mdwilbourne · Mar 3, 2015

Okay, updates! Unfortunately even sandpaper doesn't seem to be doing anything to the rubber, however it still feels grippy to the touch. I guess we're on to kerosene?

benjiboy · Mar 3, 2015

Time to see the repair man.

PentaxBronica · Mar 3, 2015

The takeup spool and the sprocket should both turn when you wind on. If one of them isn't then it will need a professional. I take it the spring loaded parts on the takeup spool are springing back out if you press them in with a fingertip?

If they're both turning then do you have a "sacrificial" film to hand? I keep a very out of date roll to test things like this, just load it and try advancing a few frames with the back open. You should be able to work out where the problem is.

Mackinaw · Mar 4, 2015

mdwilbourne said:
Okay, updates! Unfortunately even sandpaper doesn't seem to be doing anything to the rubber, however it still feels grippy to the touch. I guess we're on to kerosene?

You may try applying a thin layer of rubber cement to the "grips." That worked well on my old Pellix QL.

Jim B.

pentaxpete · Mar 6, 2015

I have been looking for 'Rubber Grips' on the film loading 'quick-load system' of my Canon FTBn and cannot see ANY rubber things at all and the film loads no problems !

Mackinaw · Mar 7, 2015

pentaxpete said:
I have been looking for 'Rubber Grips' on the film loading 'quick-load system' of my Canon FTBn and cannot see ANY rubber things at all and the film loads no problems !

Open the back of the camera and look at the take-up spool. There are three darkish, 4mm X 8mm pads that have a 2mm round circle in the middle. Those are the rubber pads that grip the film when loaded. Any quick-load Canon has these.

Jim B.

pentaxpete · Mar 8, 2015

OH !! THOSE things !! Many thanks for reply - mine have a small metal circle in the middle but I found them .

Danny33 · Jun 2, 2022

mdwilbourne said:
Hello,
My quick load feature has suddenly stopped working on my vintage FTb; the lever is moving fine, and the button on the bottom of the body is turning as well, but the film isn't being taken up and moved at all. Any ideas as to what I might could do to fix the problem, or is this an issue for a repairman?

Hello Sir, I'm curious, have your problem been fixed? I'm having the same problem.

flavio81 · Jun 3, 2022

Danny33 said:
Hello Sir, I'm curious, have your problem been fixed? I'm having the same problem.

I see many people point to the pads.

However, what I would check first is to verify that the sprocket is moving when you advance the film. Because the film is moved by the force of the main sprocket next to the film gate. NOT by the pads, the pads don't apply the force required for the film to advance, they are only there to collect the film that is advanced by the sprocket.

If the sprocket is not moving then there's a possiblity the rewind button is stuck, or the rewind mechanism itself is stuck. Thus, the film wind sprocket never turns.

eli griggs · Jun 13, 2022

Have you tried to reset/trigger the rewind button yet?

Canon FTb Quick Load Issue

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