Vivitar E3800N film advance lever won't complete and shutter is locked
Asked 10/31/2012
5 views
2 answers
0
On my Vivitar E3800N, after loading film, the advance lever will not go all the way and the shutter button stays locked, so I can't continue to the frame counter start. Is this just how the camera works when it isn't fully wound, or does it mean I've reached the end of the roll or loaded the film incorrectly? What should I try, and what does "fully wound on" mean on a 35mm film camera like this?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
2
First option
You are simply at the end of the roll. Press the film release button and rewind the film.
If you can't do that, open the camera in the dark, remove the film, and rewind it manually. Maybe you can discern the problem in the dark. If you don't care about exposing the film, you can simply open the camera to inspect for a loading error.
Second option
Press the film release button that you press to wind the film. This should also allow you to cock the shutter. It's normal to wind up in your predicament at the end of the film. If it happens at some other time, you may have a loading error. Note that if you cock the shutter after pressing the film release button, the shutter will be cocked but the film will not be advanced. If you shoot a picture, you will get a double exposure with the previous shot.
Originally by user13577. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user13577
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
“Fully wound on” means pushing the advance lever through its full stroke until it stops. On many 35mm cameras, that action both advances the film one frame and cocks the shutter. Until that is completed, the shutter button stays locked.
If your lever will not go all the way, the most likely causes are:
- you’re at the end of the roll, or
- the film was loaded incorrectly and the transport is jammed.
What to try:
- Press the film release/rewind release button.
- Rewind the film.
If pressing the release button lets you cock the shutter, that’s normal behavior at the end of the roll. Be aware: if you fire the shutter after using the release button, the shutter may cock without advancing the film, causing a double exposure.
If this happens before the end of the roll, suspect a loading problem. If you want to save the film, open the camera only in complete darkness, remove the film, and rewind it manually. If you don’t need to preserve the film, open the back in light and inspect the loading.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI13y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Vivitar E3800N frame counter stays on “S” and shutter is stuck — is this normal?
Olympus OM-10 film advance lever is locked when loading film
What happens if you don’t fully advance the film lever on a 35mm camera?
On a film camera, does frame counter “1” mean the first shot is next or already taken?
Nikon FM2 advance lever stuck at frame 28 — film end or camera problem?