Having small problem with my Kiev 4aM.

[leica M2 fan]

I took out the Kiev for a test run yesterday with a 12 exp roll of Superia 100. Shot the 12 exposures but the film did not "catch", i.e. the end of the roll. So I continued to shoot 13, 14, 15 and decided to stop. I had it developed at a local 1 hour place and I indeed got 11 shots. The 12 and subsequent shots were all jammed together as one. Any thoughts? Any quick fixes to make sure the end of the roll is reached so that I can stop and rewind? TIA. Any help is appreciated.

 

[ErnestoJL]

Something mechanical should be wrong as there is no possibility to wind after the film ends (unless the film is broken).
Sometimes a CLA could help. Hope it helps.

Cheers

Ernesto

 

[wlewisiii]

The only issue I can imagine is if the sprockets ripped the holes in the film and so were able to keep turning. The only fix for that problem is to be more aware of a very sudden "tightening" feeling when you are advancing the film. I'd suggest that you check the end of the film for ripped sprocket holes & then also make sure that there are no bits of celluloid floating around in the camera from those tears.

HTH,

William

 

[Doug]

I wonder if the rewind button was depressed as you shot your roll... This disengages the film sprocket drive, but the slip-clutch in the takeup spool might well have provided enough pull to advance the film until stopped by the film end being taped into the cannister, thus the overlapping frames at the end. I would think, though, that if this were the case, your frame spacing would be irregular and wider than usual. Was the frame counter advancing?

 

[leica M2 fan]

Thanks for the replies. The film was intact and no tearing at all or film bits around. Doug- the frame counter doesn't work at all. Also, the frame spacing was normal and regular. The rewind is accomplished by a lock on the bottom which has to be lifted and pointed to the red mark, little or no chance of that. I'll have to check the the film sprocket drive and take up spool. Thanks again, guys, it's got me going in the right direction. I love this little camera and want it to work perfectly!

 

[kievman]

Chec kthe last frame of that roll of film for torn sprocket holes. All of Kievs have tore the last sprockets out of my roles of film, if I am not careful. It seems a minor design defect of the Keivs -Michael

 

[blw]

leica M2 fan,

This sounds exactly like what has happened to both my Kievs.

What I think happens is the bit of leader threaded through the hole in the take-up spool gets pulled out by tension from the end of the roll of film. Then, in effect, the take-up spool spins inside the rolled up film and you will continue to expose the last frame multiple times until you rewind the film.

One thing I've done to help this is to tape the leader to the take-up spool on each new roll of film. Another idea I haven't tried is to get some old Kiev film cartridges and use them for take-up spools.

Good luck!

 

[leica M2 fan]

I loaded the camera with a dummy 24 exp. roll and wound it through its paces with the back off and it went through perfectly. So I guess I need to try another roll and just stop at exposure 24 or 36. That should solve this problem. Again, thanks for all your replies. It always helps to get input from someone else. BLW, I will try your tape suggestion.

 

[timmyd18]

my 4am does the same thing; i haven't seen the same problem on my 4 yet.

blw- what you say makes a lot of sense, though. one reason i might not have seen the problem on my 4 is that i have to tape the film to the takeup spool because i'm using a spool from an old film can as a takeup.

on the 4am, the slot goes all the way through the spool, no? so you could push the film a little further into the spool than ususal and this might solve the problem.

i've just trained myself to watch the film counter. if yours is broken, they make little tally counters used for counting people in a room or pitches at a baseball game. that might be an effective way to keep count

 

[rpinchbeck]

I had noticed a problem long ago with my Kievs with tearing film when I started shooting. The problem is in using a take up reel that is not for the Kiev/Contax breed. Initially using a home crafted take up spool from a spent Ilford canister I noticed small tears in the corner at each sprocket hole. I took a donar roll of film and loaded it up, advanced several frames and then checked how the film sat in relation to the sprocket advance cog teeth. I noticed the film was displace down and each sprocket tooth when it engaged the film would just catch the film in the corner of the sprocket hole, causing a small localized rip in the film. The Kiev/Contax take up spool sits a little bit further up into and against the take up fork mechanism. The spool sits neutral to the film as it sits on the sprocket advance cog. Problem solved!

Observe your film very carefully. See any marks? If so consider above text.

Cheers,

Russ Pinchbeck

 

[colyn]

I had noticed a problem long ago with my Kievs with tearing film when I started shooting. The problem is in using a take up reel that is not for the Kiev/Contax breed. Initially using a home crafted take up spool from a spent Ilford canister I noticed small tears in the corner at each sprocket hole.
Cheers,

Russ Pinchbeck

This would not apply to the 4am of which the OP is asking about since the 4am has a built-in take-up spool.

To make a spool that will work with other Kiev's you need an original Kodak spool. You cut a slot with a hacksaw that you will then slip the film leader into.

Original Kiev take-up spools can be found on eBay at good prices or you can buy Kiev film cassettes.

 

[rpinchbeck]

This would not apply to the 4am of which the OP is asking about since the 4am has a built-in take-up spool.

You are absolutely correct! My mistake. Should have read closer.

In this case, with a 4AM, I can't recommend a fix.

Cheers,

Russ