9 Using your SLR camera
SNAPSHOT
- How to load film into your camera correctly
- How to rewind the film at the end of the roll
- How to focus your image
- Holding the camera correctly
Loading & rewinding film
Loading film in a Mechanical camera
Follow these steps and watch the video….the only way to be sure the film is properly loaded is to be sure that the rewind knob turns when you advance the film.
- With the rewind knob pulled up, press the film into the left side of the camera. Now push the rewind knob down to secure a tight fit.
- Pull the leader of the film over to the take-up spool. Insert the narrow end of the film leader into the slot. Hold the spool steady with one hand and push the film into any slot on the take-up spool.
- Make sure the teeth are properly placed on both sides of the film. Carefully turn the rewind knob to take in any slack in the film.
The film will start wrapping around the take-up spool.
- Close the back of the camera. Click (press the shutter button) and advance the film two more times with the back closed. Watch the rewind knob when you do this, if it is moving, you have correctly loaded the film in your camera. If it does not move, gently turn the rewind knob clockwise until you feel a very slight resistance.
- Now press the shutter release button again and watch the rewind knob. If it moves, you are ready to take pictures!
- If it did not move you must open the back of the camera and try to load the film again.
DID YOU KNOW
Whoever said there is no crying in photography must have been a digital photographer.
Film photography is not for wussies!
Rewinding film in a Mechanical camera
To rewind the film look for the rewind button and the rewind knob. On most mechanical cameras the rewind button is on the bottom of the camera. It is a very small button (see the diagram in Chapter 1) the rewind knob is usually on the top of the camera on the left side, and it has a handle that can be pulled up to make rewinding easier.
Now that you’ve located these mechanisms, here’s what you do. Push the film rewind button and start rewinding the film using the rewind knob. Turn the knob clockwise. You will feel some resistance, but you should not have to force it. You will feel the resistance let up when all the film is back in the film canister and it is safe to open the camera and take the film canister out. Just to be sure it has rewound all the way, I like to turn it a few seconds after it feels like it’s released.
Loading Film in an Electronic camera
Open the camera and place the film cassette on the left side of the camera. Pull the leader of the film across the back of the camera and let the leader gently curl itself around the take-up spool on the right side of the camera. Close the back of the camera and you will hear a motor or whirring sound, indicating your film is being advanced to the first frame. If the number 1 or 36 appears in the film counter window, then you are ready to start taking pictures. If you get flashi