Automatic rewind on my film camera isn’t pulling the film back into the canister
Asked 12/31/2019
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2 answers
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I’m new to film cameras and just finished my first roll in a plastic point-and-shoot with automatic rewind. When I use the rewind control, the film does not rewind at all. Could I have loaded the film incorrectly, or is the camera likely faulty? If I try the rewind control again, could that damage the film? What’s the safest way to get the roll out without ruining my photos?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
2
Cheap film cameras are considered a “dime a dozen.”
They’re fun, but one should never expect them to last. It’s probable that the one you bought has been broken for some time, especially if you didn’t do a functions test before buying.
Try the button again. If it doesn’t work, then you really only have two options: take the camera to a lab and ask for help, where they’ll take the camera into a change bag or darkroom for removal of the film by hand...or remove the film yourself.
If you do it yourself, you need to be in 100% dark before you crack the camera. You can rewind the film back into the canister by hand.
Given that you’re having issues with rewinding...there’s no guarantee that the camera was operating properly during shooting. Your shots could be junk, but not because of the rewind at all.
Make sure that, when you buy old cameras, you do a function check and run a test role through the camera before setting off to shoot things that actually matter to you.
Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67377
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Trying the rewind control again usually won’t hurt anything, but if it still does nothing, the camera may be faulty or the film may not have been loaded/advanced correctly.
Your safest options are:
- Take it to a lab and ask them to remove the film in a darkroom or changing bag.
- Do it yourself only in total darkness. Open the camera only in 100% dark conditions, then rewind the film back into the canister by hand before exposing it to light.
Do not open the camera in normal light, or you’ll likely fog the film.
Also, if the rewind isn’t working, there’s a chance the camera may not have transported the film properly while shooting, so some or all frames may not have been recorded. That would be a camera/loading issue, not something caused by trying the rewind control again.
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AI6y ago
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