Re: [Leica] M6 - Film didn't advanced!

[tedgrant@islandnet.com (Ted Grant)]

Jorg Willems wrote:

>Now it happened to me... twice ... at the same location.  First time in my
>life and it had to happened at a wedding.>>>>>>>>

Hi Jorg,

First of all it's "Murphies Law" that if it is destined to happen it
__WILL__  happen at a time such as yours. Never on a quiet walk about.

Did you crimp the film leader before inserting into the take-up spool?
That is, did you make a double fold in the leader about 1/4 inch from the
end and then insert that into the take-up spool? This gives a better hold
when the three prongs on the take up spool close on the film when the base
plate is locked on.

The only time I've had this happen, film not advancing, is when I've been
rushing, glanced at the take-up crank and seen it start to move then looked
away, continuing to crank without looking at the second frame advance to
make sure it truly is locked on the spool. Certainly after many hundreds of
rolls you get an immediate feeling the film has slipped.....not always when
you are distracted and in a hurry!

On a shoot such as yours and I know I'm probably going to use half dozen
rolls or more,  I take the rolls out of the plastic containers, double fold
leader  making a very definate fold in this manner,  ______/\/\_  then
drop them into my jacket pocket loose. In this fashion there isn't any
fiddling with plastic containers when a roll is completed. The finished
roll is out of camra into left pocket, one out of right pocket into camera,
base plate on.  Turn re-wind crank lightly as though re-winding until
slight tug,  click shutter release, advance & watch crank, click and wind,
watch re-wind crank. click and wind!  Then go for it.

Now that is my method and certainly not that of others. It works for me and
that's all that counts as far as I'm concerned. It may not be your cup of
tea.

Let me suggest you take a roll, crimp the film and try loading and
re-loading the same roll a half dozen times. If each time it locks on and
advances I'd put money on it that the film didn't advance at the wedding
simply because, it was just one of those things that occurs when you
inadvertently rush and are distracted. And film slips out! See what happens
before you send it away for servicing.

hope this helps.
ted



Ted Grant
This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant