Problem with Minolta Maxxum 9xi

Marvin · Sep 21, 2015

I just received a 9xi from KEH and the first roll of Ilford HP5 through it went into rewind after 15 frames. It was a 36 exposure roll so it went into a premature rewind. Thought I would try a second roll to see if it was just a fluke. I know that with KEH I have a 14 day return and 6 month warranty, but I like the camera and hoped to use some of my Maxxum lenses.

arealitystudios · Sep 21, 2015

Well, I can say this. I own a Maxxum 7 and this has happened a few times with mine, though it is incredibly rare (I'm talking two or three rolls over the course of five years). I'm not exactly sure why it happens.

So I would say it is worth trying another roll before thinking about returning it.

shutterfinger · Sep 21, 2015

This camera most likely uses infrared sensors and clutch slippage to monitor film loading, transport, and rewind.
Get some aerosol spray duster and blow out both the supply and take up chambers.
When loading film once the frame counter has stopped at 1 turn the rewind the direction of the wind arrow until the film becomes tight. If there is no manual rewind crank hold the leader firmly against the cassette and turn the spool end protruding from the cassette counterclockwise until the film is tight. Loose film inside the cassette can bind fooling the rewind tension clutch.

Ricardo Miranda · Sep 22, 2015

shutterfinger said:
This camera most likely uses infrared sensors and clutch slippage to monitor film loading, transport, and rewind.
Get some aerosol spray duster and blow out both the supply and take up chambers.
When loading film once the frame counter has stopped at 1 turn the rewind the direction of the wind arrow until the film becomes tight. If there is no manual rewind crank hold the leader firmly against the cassette and turn the spool end protruding from the cassette counterclockwise until the film is tight. Loose film inside the cassette can bind fooling the rewind tension clutch.

I doubt the Minolta Dynax 9xi uses infrared sensors. Later Minoltas like the 700si or even the 800si don't have them.

Marvin
I can't help regarding the specifics of the 9xi, but that has happened to me with a Nikon F80.
On the F80 it was easy to stop the camera doing an auto-rewind: it has a custom function to disable it.
I suspect that it is due to lack of use.
You can try what the guy above said, especially the last part. It might work.
If you have a test roll, you can try feeding it a few times in order to get it to loosen up. Just use the continuous drive and get it to the end of the roll.

shutterfinger · Sep 22, 2015

http://jafaphotography.com/downloads/Minolta Maxxum 9 Professional 35mm SLR Camera Body Manual.pdf
The type of film loading system used in this model uses light sensors to detect film position. They are under the takleup spool. They are most likely infrared type. Cannon and Nikon use a similar system.
http://www.cameramanuals.org/minolta_pdf/minolta_maxxum_9_supplement.pdf has some useful information also.

Ricardo Miranda · Sep 23, 2015

shutterfinger said:
http://jafaphotography.com/downloads/Minolta Maxxum 9 Professional 35mm SLR Camera Body Manual.pdf
The type of film loading system used in this model uses light sensors to detect film position. They are under the takleup spool. They are most likely infrared type. Cannon and Nikon use a similar system.
http://www.cameramanuals.org/minolta_pdf/minolta_maxxum_9_supplement.pdf has some useful information also.

Thanks! Didn't know that about the late 9.
But, you are talking about a different model.
Marvin has a 9XI, not the later single digit 9: http://tammesphotography.weebly.com/minolta-dynax-9xi.html

shutterfinger · Sep 23, 2015

But, you are talking about a different model.
Marvin has a 9XI, not the later single digit 9:

It doesn't matter The Maximum 9 and 9xi both use auto film loading. See pages 18 and 19 of the manual part 1 in your link.
An auto film loading camera of any make and type uses sensors to identify when the film has passed a certain point. The sensors may or may not fog IR sensitive film and do not fog standard film, Color or Black and White.

Ricardo Miranda · Sep 23, 2015

Yes, they have such sensors.
I see your point now that it is the sensors that need cleaning.
Thanks!

Marvin · Sep 25, 2015

Thanks for all the info just got back home and have time to check it out. So do these sensors count sprocket holes.

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shutterfinger · Sep 26, 2015

do these sensors count sprocket holes.

No.
The sensor(s) for film loading are between the take up and the camera body. Once blocked the camera only runs the wind motor for a predetermined time. If the sensor is blocked before film is put into the camera it will never load. If the sensor never blocks once film is put in the camera it will most likely wind the full roll up onto the take up.
There may be a sensor for thickness on the take up side.
The most likely cause of mid roll rewind that is not initiated by the user is the film is too tight in the film cassette, there is a custom function set for that purpose, or there is a problem with the camera electronics.
Take a roll of film and hold the cassette as it will fit into the camera. Hold the leader against the cassette and turn the center spool end clockwise until it stops turning easily. Now try to pull an inch or two of film from the cassette via the exposed leader and note the tension necessary. Now hold the leader against the cassette and turn it counterclockwise until it becomes hard to turn then pull the leader and note how easy the film is to pull out. This is why it is important to turn the rewind crank in the rewind direction after the film winds to frame 1 without pressing the rewind release on any 35mm camera.
Any sensor(s) in the transport path that sees the spaces between sprocket holes will generate a pulse every time a space between holes blocks the sensor.

Marvin · Sep 26, 2015

The 9xi doesn't have a rewind crank but guess I could wind it before putting it in the camera. I do have a Maxxum 9000 and X700 but neither of these have automatic rewind. I have a custom function card for the 9xi but not sure what it does.

Marvin · Sep 28, 2015

I have reloaded and at frame 21 with no problems.

Marvin · Oct 1, 2015

I used a film leader retriever and, reloaded the original roll of HP5. Went to manual with cap on lens ran up to frame 16, and started shooting again. I am at frame 29 with no problems, so hope it was just a glitch. I do have the xi custom function card that you can turn off automatic rewind with.

Marvin · Oct 7, 2015

On second roll now with no problems.

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Problem with Minolta Maxxum 9xi

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