How to Load 35Mm Film Into a Manual Camera

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Decide upon what lighting conditions will be present for desired photography.

   #*On a sunny day choose a slow film speed 100ISO or 200ISO Near dawn, dusk, or dark clouds choose a faster speed such as 800ISO If you will be shooting all day or are unsure of the exact light, choose 400ISO
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   Step 2: Pick-Up your camera and roll of film.

   ,,,,,, You have now successfully opened the back of the camera and are ready to load film. ,, There should be roughly an inch of film hanging out of the roll of film.
   
   This is called the leader.
   
   If there is not a leader, you will need a special tool.
   
   Consult your teacher for help.
   
   If no teacher is available, use another roll of film.
   
   You may assume that the top of the film is the end with the circle protruding from the main cylinder.
   
   However, this is not the case; this is actually the bottom. , Ensure that the flange out of the roll of film that has the leader sticking out is to the right over the back of the camera. (It’s hard to mess this up if the roll of film is oriented properly in the cradle.) , Push the roll of film down into the cradle. ,, On the back of the camera on the right where the tip of the leader is, you will notice two spindles; one with sprockets and another to hold the tip of the leader. , On the top and bottom of the sprocket, (left) spindle are sprockets, and on the top and bottom of the film there are sprocket holes. ,, If the advancement mechanism does not move out, push down the shutter release, which is the silver button to the top of the advancement mechanism if looking from above.
   
   The spindle will move clockwise, which will appear to be wrong because it takes the film and bends it around the spindle in what looks to be backwards.
   
   This however is correct, and the film is wound on the spindle in this manner to ensure it does not slide off.
   
   The film should wrap around the spindle and move a short distance, once the advancement mechanism stops release the shutter and you will get another crank out of it. ,,, The numbers on the top of the camera should read anywhere from 0 to
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   Step 3: Look to the left of the top of the camera.

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   Step 4: Find the circular disc that is on top that has an arrow drawn on the disc.

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   Step 5: Look to the left of this circular piece.

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   Step 6: Find the small black knob.

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   Step 7: Slide the knob towards you and as you do this

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   Step 8: pull up on the circular disc.

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   Step 9: Pull gently but firmly up on the disc until you hear the back door of the camera pop open.

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    Step 10: If you were unable to open the back door

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    Step 11: push the circular disc back down and repeat.

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    Step 12: Un-package your roll of film.

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    Step 13: Take the roll of film and lay it on top of the cradle (not in) on the left hand side.

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    Step 14: Pull up on the same disc from before as you do this.

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    Step 15: with the roll of film securely in place

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    Step 16: pull the leader across the back of the camera by grabbing the sides of the film so no fingerprints make it on the surface of the film.

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    Step 17: Once the film has reached the other side of the camera

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    Step 18: you must lock the film into the winding mechanism so that the film will move across the film plane when it is winded after every exposure.

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    Step 19: Insert the leader into one of the two slits on the right spindle.

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    Step 20: Line up the sprocket holes on the sprockets.

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    Step 21: Holding the film in place on the sprockets and with the leader in a slit on the spindle

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    Step 22: with your left hand

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    Step 23: find the advancement mechanism which is connected to the right spindle but on top of the camera and spin it out and to the right with your right thumb.

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    Step 24: Repeat previous steps three to four times to ensure that the film is firmly connected to the spindle.

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    Step 25: Shut the back door.

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    Step 26: Repeat two more times.

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    Step 27: Push down the circular disc on the far left that you lifted up originally to load the film.

Detailed Guide

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