FM loading difficulty...

[Vics]

I bought a Nikon FM a while back, an early version, and I'm finding it difficult to load. The problem is in getting the leader into the slot in the take-up spool. Anyone else having this trouble? Is my camera defective? I always get it to work, but only after many tries.

 

[N.delaRua]

My FM2 is the only camera I have ever loaded improperly.

Here is how I load it
1) Open back, and place film cassette in left side. Make sure to push down rewind lever to lock film cassette in place.
2)The take up spool has a fine tooth gearset at the bottom that slightly protrudes. I turn the take up spool so that the take up slot is facing me. It only turns clockwise. If you put some pressure on the take up spool counter clockwise with your right thumb it will not rotate as you go to put the film lead in the take up slot with your left hand. Take film lead place lead in slot as deep as possible.
3) Advance film at least once with film back open to ensure take up.
4) Close back. Take up the slack with the rewind lever. Advance film and observe rewind lever move. Advance again.
5) Ready to shoot.

Hope that helps. Maybe I can make a video of it when I go home later.

 

[Vics]

Thanks. That's exactly how I do it. It's just really hard to grt the film leader to go in.

 

[kdemas]

Thanks. That's exactly how I do it. It's just really hard to grt the film leader to go in.

The film leader should go in relatively easily, strange.

 

[KoNickon]

I've never had any problems with loading an FM. Nikkormats are another story. I think the key thing is to insert the film leader as deeply as possible. (Maybe the engaging tooth on the takeup spool is ever so slightly deformed on yours?)

But all the same -- better to struggle with it and then get it right, than to believe the leader has engaged properly only to find out later that it didn't....

 

[Vics]

I've never had any problems with loading an FM. Nikkormats are another story. I think the key thing is to insert the film leader as deeply as possible. (Maybe the engaging tooth on the takeup spool is ever so slightly deformed on yours?)

But all the same -- better to struggle with it and then get it right, than to believe the leader has engaged properly only to find out later that it didn't....

Oh, yeah. I always watch the rewind knob going around!

 

[N.delaRua]

Its happened to me... I think it has to do with the width of the take up slot. You just have to be patient loading the FM I think. The M6 I think is easier to load.

 

[Mablo]

I had the same problem with my FM (serial: 2356xxx). Recently I've had a bulk roll of Efke 50 which I found really hard to load properly. I missed a roll or two before I realised what's going on. The film somehow slips away from the slot. I don't know why it happens just with the Efke 50. For example HP5+ loads just fine. A mystery!

 

[Vics]

Its happened to me... I think it has to do with the width of the take up slot. You just have to be patient loading the FM I think. The M6 I think is easier to load.

My M3 is easier to load, too! My Nikon F is easier, too.

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137523

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137523

I learn't another method of loading some difficult cameras..
First place leader in take-up spool. Advance the roll.
As soon as it holds and also rest on sprocket teeth, drop cassette,
into the recess. The Pentax Spotmatic has very little space for that!
Make sure cassette can move up and down.Not jammed.
Nikons, Nikkormats have more space.
This was taught at a Photo School. It works.
My M3 and M6, I load in dark whenever possible, gaining extra exposures..