Hi @srichards , 100% sure. I've used film cameras since the early 80's. The R3M is fully manual. It's easy to see when the films properly engaged since you take the first couple of shots with the back open.
Have you checked if you need visas or innoculations, seems you've left everything a bit late, or is all this a massive wind-up?
I'm beginning to wonder too.
Hi @swanseamale47 , There are numbers and film type on the negatives and the contact prints. The scan filenames contain a reference to the frames but they're all entirely black so it doesn't seem to make much difference which one you look at. The interesting thing is that I would have expected to see some variation in the grain size between ISO 50 and ISO 3200 but can't see any. Are modern films ISO invariant like modern DLSRs?
Well I think that settles the "is this a wind-up?" debate. Well played, sir.
No visa is required for The Maldives. You get a free 30-day visa when you arrive. Similarly, there's no absolute need for any particular vaccinations. We're stopping in a 5-star resort so I don't expect any problems with water, etc.
Ok you now have a major problem, if the numbers show up on the film that means it's being developed but theres some sort of problem with the camera. It needs to go back or be checked by an expert before you even think about doing a wedding with it.
Hi @swanseamale47 , I haven't got the time to send it anywhere. Given that it's a mechanical camera, would it be okay to apply a little WD-40 to the moving parts? I'd never dream of doing this with a DSLR because of all of the electronics. I've got a fairly new spray can in the garage with a long red straw that allows you to apply the oil quite precisely. I'm running out of ideas. Please help.
Have you checked the black cloth you put over your head is still lightproof?
Are you using a UV filter? Some Voigtlander lenses are supplied with a specialised filter that also absorbs wavelengths between 300 and 700nm. You might want to try shooting half a dozen test rolls with and without this accessory to see if it makes a difference.
Hi @MatBin, I haven't got a black cloth but do use a large changing bag to change films when I'm taking pinhole photographs. I had thought of taking one with me to The Maldives for the wedding but given the likely brightness, I'd expect the exposure to be too short to control adequately without risking overexposure.
Your taking the p*** now. "Could it be something to do with the postal service".
No, do not apply WD40. Cameras use a special grease.
Hi @shapeshifter , I thought it was a sensible question. Well, could it? I wasn't trying to cause offence.Your taking the p*** now. "Could it be something to do with the postal service".
Hi @swanseamale47 , The only thing remotely like grease I've got is some styling wax the missus uses occasionally. It's probably not the right thing at all but I'll give it a try if you think it's worth it. What's the best way to apply it?
Your obviously talking the p**s now, clearly styling wax is going to f**k up your camera big time.
I was thinking the same. The high temperature in The Maldives would probably cause it to melt.
What should I use instead? Would suntan lotion be okay?? That's quite greasy.
Elbow grease
Hi @StephenM, are you saying I should use flash? I've got one with a reasonably high GN that should work with the R3M. I hadn't thought of that given that the ceremony will be on the beach. I'll give it a try.I thought is was a wind ON not UP
There is one other possible solution that Sue has just turned up in that it is possible (in the sense that there seems to be at least one instance of it happening) that a badly loaded film can interfer with the shutter and prevent it firing - the silm still winds on, but the shutter is unable to fire. Of course, a simple way of checking this would be to open the shutter on bulb and, with the lens off, just look through the front and see if you could see the film. This would indicate whether the film was making it to behind the shutter, and that the shutter opened.
If the camera only works on bulb, then a few stacked ND and polarising filters might let the wedding be shot on B. Even half a second is long enough to see if you can see film.
You're telling me!!
That sounds very nice, what shutter speed and aperture do you cook it at?
Gas mark f64.Snip:
That sounds very nice, what shutter speed and aperture do you cook it at?
Damn, I have an electric cooker!
Never mind, I'll try one of those retro 70s recipes tonight and have soup in the basket. 
