Blank roll of film

[PJRiley]

I recently bought an M6TTL in mint condition from a trusted source. I loaded it with b&w film and eagerly anticipated the results.
Imagine my shock when the roll came back from my local photo shop completely blank - not one print!
I know I didn't shoot with the lens cap on, and wonder if I wasn't advancing the film correctly. Perhaps it wasn't loaded right and I didn't see the problem. The frame counter seemed to be advancing a bit quickly if I remember correctly. I am sure it's something I did, not a problem with the camera. Can anyone help?

 

[oftheherd]

My first guess would be improperly loaded film, except that your observation of the frame counter puzzles me. I don't know anything about Leicas, much less M6s, so somebody may be able to tell you something different.

 

[colyn]

Watch the rewind lever to see if it turns when advancing the film.

It sounds like the film did not get fixed to the take-up..

 

[hlockwood]

I recently bought an M6TTL in mint condition from a trusted source. I loaded it with b&w film and eagerly anticipated the results.
Imagine my shock when the roll came back from my local photo shop completely blank - not one print!
I know I didn't shoot with the lens cap on, and wonder if I wasn't advancing the film correctly. Perhaps it wasn't loaded right and I didn't see the problem. The frame counter seemed to be advancing a bit quickly if I remember correctly. I am sure it's something I did, not a problem with the camera. Can anyone help?

I'd be willing to bet that you didn't load the film properly. It happened to me as well on my M7. You have to be certain the rewind knob is turning when you advance the film to the next frame.

Harry

 

[tmfabian]

like everyone else has said...watch the rewind knob to make sure it's rotating when you advance your film...but also one added thing, the frame counter will count regardless of whether you have film in it or not so that was most likely a case of false security that you loaded it properly.

 

[payasam]

As others have said, the advancing of the frame counter means nothing: you need to watch the rewind knob. It's almost certain that the film was not correctly loaded. However:
(1) Are there visible edge markings (numbers, etc.) on the processed film?
(2) Have you "dry fired" the camera, without a lens mounted, to see if the shutter is opening?

 

[Matthew Allen]

Are you sure the film was correctly processed by the lab? If your b/w film gets put through a C-41 process you get totally blank film. Ask me how I know.:bang:

Matthew

 

[Florian1234]

My first roll with the M4 I also put wrongly into the body and got blank strips of negatives back from the lab. 😀
So watch the rewind lever, as the others said.

 

[Chris101]

I know how you feel:

 

[Ororaro]

Chris,
Powerful statement and I actually love your scan. Modern art and I'm being serious! This could be signed and framed.

 

[rtphotos]

yep, happened to me a couple of time before I made it part of the routine to check the rewind knob for rotation.

Did you notice when rewinding the roll of film that it took only a couple of cranks before the loss of resistance (rather than the normal approx. 30 cranks)?

Oh, and one bit of helpfulness. Be sure to push the new roll of film all the way down until it seats itself properly (mine "clicks" I think"), then feed the film tongue into the tulip.

Hopefully it was just a mis-feed, operator error, and nothing more serious (possibly expensive).

rt 🙂

 

[like2fiddle]

Ditto to what the others have said. One other possibility is that the film was somehow exposed to light prior to processing. I once loaded-up a couple of reels in a couple of different tanks then stupidly opened one of them up to see if I had actually loaded it with film:bang:

 

[KenD]

Ditto to what the others have said. One other possibility is that the film was somehow exposed to light prior to processing. I once loaded-up a couple of reels in a couple of different tanks then stupidly opened one of them up to see if I had actually loaded it with film:bang:

Then the film would be totally exposed, i.e., black - not blank.

KenD

 

[colyn]

I know how you feel:

Are those photos of the inside of your lens cap???😀😀😀😀😀

 

[gb hill]

Here is a video of Tom A loading a M6. Good luck on your next roll of film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEyt94xMNUY

 

[PJRiley]

As usual, RFFers save the day. I do recall very stiff resistance when rewinding, and I very likely loaded the roll incorrectly. I'm happy to report my 2nd roll seems to be fine; advance smooth and rewind knob turning in sync. Thanks to all and I'll let you know how the roll turns out.....
Mary

 

[Listak]

I'm guessing you didn't load the film right. I have blown two excellent roles of shots doing the same thing. The frantic torch relay in San Francisco and a shrine on Chinese New Years in Hong Kong. Needless to say, I was pissed and learned to do it right. I'm sure somebody on here can give you excellent instructions.

Good Luck

 

[julio1fer]

Did the film you received have the frame marks?

If the "blank" film you received had the frame numbers and markings on the edge, it was incorrect roll loading.

If the film was completely blank, i.e. no edge markings, it is a processing error. Your lab put traditional B&W film in the C-41 color process.

 

[wontonny]

... roll came back from my local photo shop completely blank - not one print!
... Perhaps it wasn't loaded right and I didn't see the problem. The frame counter seemed to be advancing a bit quickly if I remember correctly. ...

Check if there are numbers and the type of film printed on the side of the film next to the sprocket holes.

If so, you didnt load your film correctly.
When loading make sure you pull the leader all the way across so it TOUCHES THE OPPOSITE SIDE, PASSING THROUGH THE TULIP. Then, make sure the sprocket holes are in the sprocket gears. Adavance one frame to make sure everything is good, close the bottom and fire off blank frames to 0. Start shooting!

The frame counter always counts no matter if you loaded the film correctly or not. You'll notice a click after a roll has been finished and you opened the bottom plate, (AFTER rewinding! 🙂) thats the frame counter resetting after you opened it.

 

[sanmich]

About film loading on M6:
Been there, done that..
I found it useful to fold the tip of the film before introducing it in the tulip (folded tip outside the tulip...)
good luck