Boo hoo

I have just started photography "basics" and am using an Pentax ME super SLR. I took loads of great pictures for my first three assignments, left them in Boots for processing and when I went to retrieve them it said blank film ~ I'm so distressed! I assume I didn't load the film correctly? I feel like such a donut, any comments welcome, please be nice to me

Lets start with the film loading. The ME Super uses the Pentax 'Magic Needle' system - this requires you to insert the film leadre into the spool of white plastic rollers - you can't just lay the film along the guides (as you do with most modern compacts and SLRs with built in film advance). Assuming the film leader has been inserted into the 'magic needles' then you have another aid - with the ME Super, on the back of the top plate (just below the film advance lever) there is a small window with black and red vertical bars. If the film is correctly loaded thses bars will agitate as you advance the film - if they don't chances are that the film has not taken up properly. A further indication that the film is advancing properly is that the rewind spool will rotate as you wind on the film.

If all of this is ok then the next thing is to check the camera settings and shutter. Was the film speed set correctly? if set too fast this may have caused severe under exposure.

Check the shutter operation - with the back of the camera open (and the lens on maximum aperture) fire the shutter and you should see the shutter open / close (and see a quick burst of light from the lens). If the shutter is not operating I am afraid it is a repair needed.

Let us know how you get on.

Regards

Thanks for the advice, I will let you know how the first set of photos turn out!



Cathy

Any luck, Cathy?

Hi,
I'm finding the whole photography experience one of trial and error. When it's good, its very good and when it's bad, oh boy is it bad! I've had a few very sharp colour images and of course a few mishaps! I will continue to work at it as I have a determined disposition


I was vexed I didn't have any film in my camera last night, that snow storm would have been an ideal setting.

Cheers!


Caq