frame spacing

[dfoo]

I just got a "new to me" Zeiss ZM. I developed the first two rolls. The first roll was entirely blank, although I could have sworn I checked the rewind lever to make sure the film was advancing. The second roll wasn't, so perhaps I made a mistake. However, what I notice is that the frame spacing is not right. With my leicas, the spacing is always bang on. Here I notice the spacing is a bit random. In one instance, three frames completely overlap. Any ideas?

[jslash6]

I've noticed this too. I've actually overlapped the edges of frames, towards the end of the roll, if I advance the film with careless, excessive force.

The leader hooks securely enough in the notch and on the little hook. As the film wraps around the take up spool I suspect there is either a little slack or it shapes more of an oval than a circle.

Maybe the film door could have used one of those silver rollers as found in most cameras with motor drives. Regardless, I try to be smooth when advancing.

[jonmanjiro]

check out this post (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1181398#post1181398).

accidentally pressing the rewind button mid-roll with my little finder on my right hand has caused me overlapping frames several times.

[nikonhswebmaster]

check out this post (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1181398#post1181398).

accidentally pressing the rewind button mid-roll with my little finder on my right hand has caused me overlapping frames several times.

As any Nikon RF owner knows, that is because the AR release does not belong on the bottom of a camera!! :D

[jonmanjiro]

Also take a look at this thread (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74563) started by Assaf in Israel. I sent Assaf's ZI to Cosina to be repaired, but the factory replied that there was nothing wrong with the film transport mechanism, and included a note about being careful not to accidentally depress the rewinde button mid-roll. Apparently Cosina receives quite a few ZIs misdiagnosed as having film advance problems, but the cause is almost always user error.

[jonmanjiro]

As any Nikon RF owner knows, that is because the AR release does not belong on the bottom of a camera!! :D

very true. it should be on the top of the camera where it belongs ;)

[dfoo]

Interesting hypothesis. I'll shoot another roll being very careful to ensure that I don't depress the rewind. All the same, I find it hard to believe that I was doing that. My fingers don't seem to be anywhere near the rewind mechanism.

I note that my Nikon SLR cameras have the rewind button on the bottom btw :)

[Sparrow]

Interesting hypothesis. I'll shoot another roll being very careful to ensure that I don't depress the rewind. All the same, I find it hard to believe that I was doing that. My fingers don't seem to be anywhere near the rewind mechanism.

I note that my Nikon SLR cameras have the rewind button on the bottom btw :)

Under the motodrive? :D:D

[Tom A]

As any Nikon RF owner knows, that is because the AR release does not belong on the bottom of a camera!! :D

I am using the ZM Grip for this reason. It requires that you kind of "poke" in the cut-out to engage the rewind.

[dfoo]

So it looks like the consensus is that this is most likely user error. There are three common sources:
- Too brutal on the frame advance.
- Not completely advancing the frame.
- Accidently partially depressing the rewind button.

That about right? :)

[nikonhswebmaster]

I note that my Nikon SLR cameras have the rewind button on the bottom btw :)

Only the late model junkers. The "real" (S, S2, S3, S4, F, F2) Nikons don't.

F3 sadly on the bottom
F4, 5, 6, auto or manual top

[dfoo]

I have FM2 and FE2. The rewind is on the bottom of those two :)

I shot 6 more rolls of film with the Ikon. I have a suspicion I misloaded the roll with the spacing issues. I'll know more when I dev the film tomorrow.

[JustPlainBill]

Hi dfoo,

Another way to check that the film is advancing as it should is to hold your camera to your ear while winding the film.
Cheers,
JustPlainBill

[Nikon Bob]

Another vote for the probability of accidentally depressing the rewind button. I did that with an FM2n once and wondered about the over lapping frames. I take a little more care now and that camera has not done that again.

Bob