M4-P Problem

[Caddy359]

Hi I have recently bought an m4-p. I have run a few films through it with no problem, up until today when i found that the film hadnt wound on. I though it was just me so loaded another and noticed that when the film tightens round the take up spool said spool dose not rotate when winding. the rest works it advances the shutter ect.

Anyone got ideas please ?

My neice feeding the birds and using my d80

M4-P Delta 400 - id11 - voigtlander 25mm snapshot

 

[Doug]

Hi -- The takeup spool has a slip-clutch above it to limit the amount of pull it can exert on the film. It's not meant to do the full job of drawing the film from the cannister and across the film gate; that's mainly the job of the toothed sprocket to the right of the film gate.

Without film in the camera, with the bottom off, wind the wind lever while holding the takeup spool to see that it tries to rotate but will slip with some resistance. Also note whether the sprocket teeth are rotating forcefully as you wind. If not, you may have the rewind lever on the front of the camera stuck in the rewind position, which releases the sprocket from the winding drive.

If all appears to work well in the above examination, then perhaps the fault is in the film loading. You'll want to make sure that the sprocket holes on both edges of the film are fully engaged with the sprocket teeth as you close the back flap and replace the bottom plate.

 

[Tom A]

The "tulip" that picks up the film is held in place by screw (if you look at the center of the spool, down towards the bottom) you can see it. Check that this screw has not worked loose. If the screw is loose, the "tulip" can drop slightly and the gear at the top can de-attach itself. It is a rare occurance and not specific to the M4-P but to any M using the three pronged tulip loading system.
Most likely is that the film has not attached itself to the tulip. I always fold over the end of film before dropping it in the camera (just a small 1/8" fold). This stops the film from sliding out of the slots in the tulip.
The rewind lever can act up too. If it doesnt disengage, you end up with a sprocket not winding correctly. As suggested, try to move the sprocket gear with your finger and see if it is engaged. If you can rotate the sprocket, with the rewind lever in "up" position, that means that it is not engaging properly (usually only an adjustment by a technician).

 

[Caddy359]

Thanks for your kind replies - I think it was a combination of me not loading it right (the folding the film idea is great thank you) And some mechanical hitch as it completely jammed up then after some playing about with the rewind lever it freed its self now working fine fingers XX.

I was given a 90mm Elmar f4 yesterday so am looking forward to playing with that.

Again cheers for all your help

Chris D

 

[Maxapple88]

Interesting, I just switched from a D80 to an M4-P myself. Its a joy everytime I pick it up, the Nikon is like a toy... Good choice! 🙂

 

[Ororaro]

I love the M4P. I prefer it to the M7. It has the best mechanical feel and it makes me drool everytime I pick it up. Only the M4p!

(sorry for the off-topicism ;-)

 

[shadowfox]

Ah, fellow M4-P fans, the M-body for those with discerning taste (and wallet 😉 ).

I like the "tulip" mechanism because it just works, and it's so simple. I never had to fold the film end, but I'll try it next time.

 

[buckpago]

my m4-p was given by a journalist friend and it serves us for more than two decades. we shoot like hell everyday and it never failed. im planning to buy myself this year another one. M6 is an option but i like M4-P better, smaller of course.

enjoy.

 

[maddoc]

M4-P rocks !!! 😀😀😀