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Shutter Misfiring? Dead Frames on Negatives


Max Field

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So have been trying out film photography to maybe one day take a crack at 16, but every time my lab sends something back I encounter these blank or slim-exposed frames. I'm shooting expired film for a nice vintage look if that makes a difference.

 

Take a look at this picture of the negatives

29830745_645127015818488_825922033_o.jpg

 

Has anyone else encountered this?

 

Here's what those slim-exposed frames look like when scanned.

29829936_645123192485537_1033323622_o.jp

 

 

Is this simple as the camera shutter misfiring?

 

Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction on this.

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I've been doing that and can't really tell with the naked eye.

I noticed it happens more when the shutter is over 1/90th. Does that seal what the issue is?

 

Here is another image, is it normal for the shutter to be thicker at the edge than a consistent darkness all the way through?

obX8Eut.jpg

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

Edited by Macks Fiiod
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yep could be that the mirror is not lifting up correctly. I have lots of old soviet Zenit stills cameras which have this issue... the mirror works most of the time and then for a frame or two it does not rise correctly when the shutter is released

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Assuming the shutter travel is vertical, the shutter may be sticky. One of the blinds is moving too slowly and causing underexposure- although the wedge shape of the transition is odd. With a sticky mirror you'd have no exposure at all on part of the frame. Where you have blank frames it's probably not opening at all. Have a look through the back of the camera and see if you can replicate the fault.

It's unlikely to be worth the expense of a repair- what camera is it?
Edited by Mark Dunn
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It's unlikely to be worth the expense of a repair- what camera is it?

 

It is a Canon Rebel X S (film version lol)

I assume it's a cheap model Canon put out in the mid 90s? Was sitting in a basement for 15 years until I asked someone to use it.

 

I have since purchased a Canon A2 which feels like a much more reliable camera body.

Edited by Macks Fiiod
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