L35AF2 - Film advancing twice instead of once

[jbmcdonald94]

Hi there --

I've just been shooting some photos with a new camera (L35AF2) on a dummy roll. I've noticed that after taking only 1 photo, the frame counter goes up twice. When I hit 24 on the counter, I haven't taken 24 photos — I took only half of that, but it's been advancing twice.

Any insight on what would cause this issue? Have scouted round online for similar issues but to no avail

Thanks

Jack

 

[steveo_mcg]

Is it just the counter? Have you opened the back with an old film and watched how many sprockets are moving?

 

[sirch]

Welcome to Talk Photography Jack.

I am wondering what you mean by a "dummy roll"?

 

[jbmcdonald94]

Welcome to Talk Photography Jack.

I am wondering what you mean by a "dummy roll"?

Hiya thanks for the welcome

By a dummy roll, I mean a roll of film that is solely used to test the functionality of a camera (rather than to take actual pictures on and process).

 

[sirch]

In that case, as @steveo_mcg said, can you mark the film, close the back, take a shot, open the back and see if the film has advanced by two frames or just one but the counter has counted two.

 

[john.margetts]

Is it just the counter? Have you opened the back with an old film and watched how many sprockets are moving?

This, if the camera will allow you to work the camera with the back open. Should be 8 sprocket holes per frame.

 

[jbmcdonald94]

Hi gents

Thanks for your advice, have given the following a go.

In that case, as @steveo_mcg said, can you mark the film, close the back, take a shot, open the back and see if the film has advanced by two frames or just one but the counter has counted two.

This, if the camera will allow you to work the camera with the back open. Should be 8 sprocket holes per frame.

I can confirm that the film has advanced by two frames; it's not just a counter error. I have run this through several more times with wildly varying results. If I force the flash to pop up and shoot one shot, it generally only advances once -- regardless of whether I use the flash itself or not. I can also hold the back of the camera more tightly closed than it might be naturally; it generally advances once when I do this. There seems to be no rhyme or reason behind this that I can gather though.

(FYI -- the back isn't loose per se and I haven't immediately thought that it's faulty in that regard)

 

[Asha]

I’m wondering is it possible to return it to the seller for a replacement, repair or refund as there is clearly something adrift.

Personally that is the route that I would take with a view of obtaining another slr without issues.

Edit:

 

[john.margetts]

This is the Nikon? If it is, it is 40-odd years old. I would be inclined to make sure the inside is spotlessly clean and if that doesn't work, put it down to experience.

 

[sirch]

Sounds like something is worn in the film advance mechanism, my guess is that there is a something in there which is reset when the shutter is fired and then allows 1 frame to wind on. Things like squeezing the body and popping up the flash is perhaps enough to overcome the wear and tear and cause it to engage properly.

 

[Asha]

This is the Nikon? If it is, it is 40-odd years old. I would be inclined to make sure the inside is spotlessly clean and if that doesn't work, put it down to experience.

Ah yes I’ve got mixed up with the other thread about an OM10 hence my mention of SLR

Sorry……