End of Roll SNAFU

[Aristophanes]

Not sure what is going on.

Minolta X-500 with Ektar 100, gets to end of roll, but now cannot rewind. Just spins. No tension.

My first thought is it never properly loaded, but the film counter moved all the time, so sprockets must have advanced. The safe load indicator was on as well, now it is blank.

Other options?

If film is exposed, how do I get it out? I have no darkroom and all film development facilities have long since disappeared.

Never had this happen in decades of film shooting, so new to me.

Thx.

 

[Mudman]

The film counter will move even if you didn't load properly. Get a garbage bag, go into a pitch black room (bathroom with door sealed up perhaps?) and try removing the film in there (you can ducktape the bag shut around your arms if you're really nervous. If you have an old tank you can throw it in, that would be ideal, otherwise see about something else light tight to put the film in afterwards.

 

[emayoh]

One thing to note once you get the film out: Plastic film canisters are usually NOT lightproof. I found out the hard way in a circumstance similar to yours that, for instance, the ones with seemingly opaque gray lids let in a lot of light.

Good luck.

 

[Sylvester]

Magbe you advanced your film to far and teared it, did it a couple times on my minolta x slr...

 

[Spanik]

Magbe you advanced your film to far and teared it,

Had that once as well and it corresponds to the symptoms. If you do film, a change bag is a good thing to have around.

Didn't know about the film canisters not being light tight. I did put mine in one and didn't have problems. But I kept it in a drawer and dropped it presto at the lab. I'll wrap a few layers of alu foil around it next time.

 

[Richard G]

A heavy overcoat and a cupboard can work comfortably. Close the room and the cupboard if possible and wrap the camera in the coat in such a way that you can reach into the coat through the arms. Wipe the camera first and wash your hands. You're bound to get your fingers on the film doing this sort of uncommon job.

 

[Aristophanes]

All good advice. I have a light tight basement room and will use my black backpack as further cover to unspool the film. I have a light tight container. Cleanliness noted. I have not handled exposed film since high school!

Thank-you all.