First Roll of Film Disaster :(

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

I recently shot my first ever roll of film and I can honestly say I messed the whole thing up. Firstly, about half way through the film the advance lever started 'grinding' as it progressed... this was a concern as I enjoyed the nice smooth advance at the start of the roll. After my 36 shots were up I thought that was the end of it... until I realised I was shooting on a 24 shot film?! I don't have a clue how I was able to get 36 shots out. Next, when I was rewinding the film it wasn't smooth, initially it was a bit stiff to rewind until i got about half way and it rewound smoothly. I've sent this roll off to be developed but am expecting the worst. Does anyone have any idea on what might have gone wrong?

Thanks

voceumana · Nov 22, 2017

After your 24 exposures, your continued advance may have torn out some of the sprocket holes on the film. Check the inside of the camera for small pieces of film.

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

voceumana said:
After your 24 exposures, your continued advance may have torn out some of the sprocket holes on the film. Check the inside of the camera for small pieces of film.

I have done and can't find any... i'm at a complete loss as to what happened! Also it eventually rewound no problem so I don't think it ripped. Any other ideas?

Wallendo · Nov 22, 2017

Most likely, the camera starting grinding when you finished 24 exposures. If that is the case the first 22 exposures should be OK.

I have also purchased one or two rolls of film, where the film itself didn't feed easily our of the cartridge about halfway through - both were Kodak chromgenic B&W film by the way. Those two rolls had some resistance to advancing and did give resistance on rewinding for the first half of the roll.

I also had one camera, a Minolta Uniomat, that was built like a tank, and once I reached 24 exposures of what I incorrectly thought was a 36 exposure roll, the camera "advanced" flawlessly, but had actually just ripped the sprocket holes. The first 23 exposures on that roll came out well - the last exposure was a multiple multiple exposure.

In general, anytime a camera grinds, the film should be rewound and removed.

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

Wallendo said:
Most likely, the camera starting grinding when you finished 24 exposures. If that is the case the first 22 exposures should be OK.

I have also purchased one or two rolls of film, where the film itself didn't feed easily our of the cartridge about halfway through - both were Kodak chromgenic B&W film by the way. Those two rolls had some resistance to advancing and did give resistance on rewinding for the first half of the roll.

I also had one camera, a Minolta Uniomat, that was built like a tank, and once I reached 24 exposures of what I incorrectly thought was a 36 exposure roll, the camera "advanced" flawlessly, but had actually just ripped the sprocket holes. The first 23 exposures on that roll came out well - the last exposure was a multiple multiple exposure.

In general, anytime a camera grinds, the film should be rewound and removed.

Thanks, your explanation sounds very plausible. I also forgot to add that after a couple of shots I removed the back of the camera just to check if everything was ok... so I ruined even more shots!! I'm such an idiot! My only consolation is that I deliberately picked up this film as a test roll so wasn't spending an eternity taking every shot as I just wanted to see if the camera was working properly!

BAC1967 · Nov 22, 2017

All part of the learning curve, you'll probably never make those mistakes again. There are plenty of other mistakes to make on future rolls. Don't let it discourage you, we all make mistakes no matter how many years of experience we have. It's all part of the magic of film.

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

BAC1967 said:
All part of the learning curve, you'll probably never make those mistakes again. There are plenty of other mistakes to make on future rolls. Don't let it discourage you, we all make mistakes no matter how many years of experience we have. It's all part of the magic of film.

I'm by no means discouraged, just disappointed that it didn't turn out as i had oped! Oh well... I guess that gives me another excuse to buy a roll of film and try again! I'm also a bit worried that this might have done some damage to the camera... I don't mind if it's ruined the film but I hope I haven't damaged anything important

Helios 1984 · Nov 22, 2017

Some cameras are more stiff to rewind than others and some are very stiff. Why the frame counter got to 36 when there was a 24 loaded? Torn sprocket holes on the film, it happen from time to time and you get a frame with double/triple exposure. The concerning part is the grinding advance, maybe there is some debris in the mechanism.

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

Helios 1984 said:
Some cameras are more stiff to rewind than others and some are very stiff. Why the frame counter got to 36 when there was a 24 loaded? Torn sprocket holes on the film, it happen from time to time and you get a frame with double/triple exposure. The concerning part is the grinding advance, maybe there is some debris in the mechanism.

Now the film has been removed the lever advances completely normally... so I don't know why it was initially stiff. Also it started being problematic later into the roll... I assume it happened after 24 shots which may explain something but I don't know what

dasBlute · Nov 22, 2017

On to the next roll! Seriously, keep it up, it gets much better

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

dasBlute said:
On to the next roll! Seriously, keep it up, it gets much better

Yes I'll order some new film pronto! My only concern is that I may have damaged something important in the camera through this whole process! Is this likely?

dasBlute · Nov 22, 2017

Thomas Keidan said:
Yes I'll order some new film pronto! My only concern is that I may have damaged something important in the camera through this whole process! Is this likely?

Hard to say, anything look broke inside? Any small pieces fall out, does it rattle? Lever still advance...? etc.
Buy 10 rolls of film, and if the camera is broke, buy another

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

dasBlute said:
Hard to say, anything look broke inside? Any small pieces fall out, does it rattle? Lever still advance...? etc.
Buy 10 rolls of film, and if the camera is broke, buy another

No nothing looks broken but i'm a complete novice so I don't know! No rattling, lever works smoothly now that film is out. Reel is in tact... anything else I should look out for?

BrianShaw · Nov 22, 2017

Sounds like your camera is okay. Look again for debris, like any film chip. Then buy a couple of folks of film and have fun!

I’d throw out that first roll. Might not be enough on it to be worth processing. It’s a cheap learning experience.

Even as an experienced film photographer that happened to me recently but at the beginning of a roll. I stupidly loaded the take up spool backwards. My regular body loads “over the spool” (clockwise) but the body I was using loads the other way.

pentaxuser · Nov 22, 2017

I cannot guarantee that you will get any nearer an explanation but it may help if you say what camera it was. Owners' of that camera may be able to get closer to the real cause

pentaxuser

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

pentaxuser said:
I cannot guarantee that you will get any nearer an explanation but it may help if you say what camera it was. Owners' of that camera may be able to get closer to the real cause

pentaxuser

Sorry thanks for this, it's an Olympus 35 RC!

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

BrianShaw said:
Sounds like your camera is okay. Look again for debris, like any film chip. Then buy a couple of folks of film and have fun!

I’d throw out that first roll. Might not be enough on it to be worth processing. It’s a cheap learning experience.

Even as an experienced film photographer that happened to me recently but at the beginning of a roll. I stupidly loaded the take up spool backwards. My regular body loads “over the spool” (clockwise) but the body I was using loads the other way.

I'm sure there was no debris but should I be expecting to see some? I've already sent the film off to be processed as i'm hoping there's even just one or two usable shots so I can see if the camera works! I'll buy another roll and try again... I've bought the camera on ebay recently so need to make sure it works in case I have to lodge a return complaint! But the camera has been recently refurbished at a reputable repairs store in the UK so I'm even more confused as to why it isnt working!

Ces1um · Nov 22, 2017

Thomas Keidan said:
Now the film has been removed the lever advances completely normally... so I don't know why it was initially stiff. Also it started being problematic later into the roll... I assume it happened after 24 shots which may explain something but I don't know what

As others have pointed out, it seems to me like you came to the end of the roll and continued to try and advance it. Your counter would have reset when you opened the film back so if you actually got to 36 you likely shot even more than 36 photos on that roll. Just keep with it- it gets much easier to understand and use.

BrianShaw · Nov 22, 2017

Thomas Keidan said:
I'm sure there was no debris but should I be expecting to see some? I've already sent the film off to be processed as i'm hoping there's even just one or two usable shots so I can see if the camera works! I'll buy another roll and try again... I've bought the camera on ebay recently so need to make sure it works in case I have to lodge a return complaint! But the camera has been recently refurbished at a reputable repairs store in the UK so I'm even more confused as to why it isnt working!

Expecting?... no, not necessarily. Sometimes a chip pulls off and sometimes stays attached. If you’ve looked carefully and didn’t see anything your okay. Enjoy your film photography experience!

BTW, the best images are likely on the end of the film... somewhere between frame 25 and 36.

Helios 1984 · Nov 22, 2017

Maybe the film pressure plate applies too much pressure on the film or it could be stiff rollers or some rust/corrosion on the film travel guide.

Thomas Keidan · Nov 22, 2017

BrianShaw said:
Expecting?... no, not necessarily. Sometimes a chip pulls off and sometimes stays attached. If you’ve looked carefully and didn’t see anything your okay. Enjoy your film photography experience!

BTW, the best images are likely on the end of the film... somewhere between frame 25 and 36.

Thanks, I'm still getting to grips with the rangefinder focusing but seem to be getting there. Don't know how i'll get it done quickly when doing street though!

pentaxuser · Nov 22, 2017

Thomas Keidan said:
Thanks, I'm still getting to grips with the rangefinder focusing but seem to be getting there. Don't know how i'll get it done quickly when doing street though!

When doing street, use a wide angle lens such as a 28mm, a medium aperture such as f5.6 or 8 and zone focus i.e. set the distance dial for the range of distances that you are likely to use and then you can just click the shutter knowing that everything is in focus.

Have a look at a site called DoF master, put in 35mm in the film section, 28mm in the lens section , f8 in the aperture section and it will tell you what range will be in focus if you set the correct hyperfocal distance on the camera which will be given to you in the calculation section. If you need a bigger range then you can either get a wider angle lens and or use a smaller aperture.

Have a play around on this site and you will see how the in-focus distance range can be varied. If it is good light and f11 is possible then a 28mm lens at a hyperfocal distance of about 8 feet will give focus for anything between about 4 feet and infinity

pentaxuser

blockend · Nov 22, 2017

If you can find on old exposed film from a friend or via eBay, it's worth experimenting with loading your camera. Some have easy-load systems that advance automatically, some are particular about lining up the sprocket holes with the cogs, and loading some is an art in itself!

If you're anywhere around the number of exposures on the roll and the advance starts to tighten, don't force it to claim an extra frame.

MattKing · Nov 22, 2017

Most likely you took ~12 photos on the same piece of film - what would have otherwise be the 25th frame.
The sprockets will be ripped there.
The camera is probably fine, because most cameras have some sort of slip clutch built in to prevent damage.
Consider taping something to the back of your camera that tells you what film and what length you have in the camera - painter's tape works well, because it is easy to remove. Many cameras offer a holder that you can slide a film box end into to serve that purpose.
Never buy just one film. You need to buy more than one, and order more when your stock gets low.
For street, you need to use faster film, smaller apertures (larger f/stop numbers) and pre-focusing and depth of field and, eventually, hyperfocal distances.
The camera manual may very well have depth of field information for you.

shutterfinger · Nov 22, 2017

Film loosens up inside the cassette making it difficult to pull out. This can be corrected one of two ways,
1. hold the film leader and turn the cassette shaft counterclockwise until its tight, or
2. once the film is loaded into the camera and the back is closed turn the rewind lever in the direction of the arrow without pushing the rewind button until the lever becomes tight.
Either method will take the slack out of the film in the cassette allowing it to be pulled from the cassette easier.

I agree with the other post about stripped sprocket holes at the end of the roll.

First Roll of Film Disaster :(

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