> When loading film, I am under the impression that the camera prevents me from pressing the shutter release button before "enough" film has been wound up on the right side; > or, in any case, I must fiddle a lot with the A/R dial and the advance lever before I can actually push it.
After full stroke of the Advance Lever, assuming the A-R dial is set fully to 'A'- the shutter release can be pushed. One full Stroke should be sufficient. You can also use multiple short strokes. If you are using a full stroke, then need to "advance a little more" to fire the shutter, the camera needs adjustment.
> Also...when the advance lever is released and a small clearance is left, pushing it down all the way feels horribly hard and like I am about to break something.
This is "normal", the "ready position". It does take a bit of force to put back in the "storage position". Your finger should not hurt doing it, but it is more than just a slight push.
Just pulled out my S3-2000 to test this.
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