Having some trouble advancing film on 35SP

[Compaq]

So, of the 36 exposures I normally have at my hands, maybe 5 times won't the film advance forward. I notice this by the rewind not spinning.

It could be my film loading technique. Here's what I do, step by step. If you see anything I should make sure of, please say so! 🙂

- open compartment (lol)
- place film in the space on the left, film rolling out from the top
- put the end into the hole (in lack of a better word) on the right side
- make sure the sprockets are where they need to be
- make sure it's not sitting lose
- advance once, just to see everything is goooood
- close door, and advance film until "1" visible on the exposure counter

That's basically my process, which takes 30 seconds to one minute.

I've been trying to compensate by, gently, rewinding the film just until I feel it's tight before advancing it again. What I've been fearing is that the film gets loose in there, and won't stay tight, thus hopping of the sprockets. Some times the rewind won't spin at all, other times it spins about half way through the advancing. I can feel it's not right when I try to advance.

Any tips?

Regards,
Anders

 

[FrankS]

Waste a roll of cheap film and see what's happening by keeping the back door open while you advance, fire, advance, etc. through the whole roll.

 

[Compaq]

That's a good idea! Doesn't the pressure plate help keeping the film tight? Or is its only purpose to straighten out the film plane?