Konica Auto S2 scratches film

[jrong]

I bought a Konica Auto S2 off a gentleman on this forum a few months back. I just put a roll of film through it, and found the first 10-15 frames all with one deep scratch running across the bottom third of the negative.

Some examples:
http://www.artemisworks.plus.com/konica/index.htm

I've looked inside the camera and can't find anything obvious that causes this fault. Some minor misalignment would have resulted in this, and I suspect it is something in the film winding mechanism - the later frames are all untouched.

Fix-able? Like problems with the rangefinder, is this a known problem with old S2s? Should my S2 just be a pretty paperweight from now on?

 

[Kim Coxon]

It might not be the camera. This can often happen if a piece of "sharp" dirt gets stuck in the felt in the film spool and it will mark the film in this way when you rewind. Blow out any dust in the back of the camera and try again. If it happens again, then look to te camera.

Kim

 

[jrong]

That's the strange thing. I did check that the back etc. was clean when I loaded the film, and had a look after I took the film out to see if there was anything obvious. Oh well. I'm loath to "waste" another roll of film just checking this to make sure but I guess it has to be done....! 🙂

 

[Kim Coxon]

All the more reason to think it was the film cassette and not the camera. 😉

Kim

That's the strange thing. I did check that the back etc. was clean when I loaded the film, and had a look after I took the film out to see if there was anything obvious. Oh well. I'm loath to "waste" another roll of film just checking this to make sure but I guess it has to be done....! 🙂

 

[wkjagt]

Could also have happened in the lab. Dirt is an enemy to them as much as is it to you. I once heard a story about a wasp flying in throught the ventilation and into the machine while it was processing: lots of films ruined. Don't throw away your S2 man, it's a wonderful camera and if it is scratching your film, you just have to look harder for the cause because it can always be found.

 

[jrong]

Processed the film myself so I know it wasn't that... Oh well. I don't intend to throw it away though. I'll just try and test what's causing the scratches and if it's the camera and not easily fixable (unlikely) then it'll look good next to my Ensign Pocket Twenty and Halina A1 TLR.... 😀

 

[dnk512]

Wind a few frames and check them: Wind 3-4 frames. Open back, mark on flim were in the camera it is stoped. Remove film and inspect for scratches. Do not do any processing.

If scratches are there, use the marnking (you made -- see above) on the film and find your problem's source.