Why is my film coming out blank??

Question

Last week, I purchased a Nikon FM10 35mm manual camera on Ebay. The seller told me that the camera was in EXCELLENT condition. Since it had been a while since I used film, my parents helped me load the camera and taught me about aperture and lighting. I just finished my first roll and sent it to 1 hour photo, and when I went to pick it up, the lady told me that the roll was completely blank. Is this a problem with the camera, or a problem with the way I loaded the film? I would like to know because if it's a problem with the camera, I would like to try to get my money back. Help!

Answer 1

I agree that it's hard to say without actually seeing the negatives, however misloading sounds like a likely cause.

Here's the procedure that I use for loading all of my manual cameras.

1. Open the back. Drop the cannister in the left side. Pull the leader across and tuck it into the takeup spool.

2. Using the rewind crank, take up the slack in the cannister so that it's taught.

3. After this, fire the shutter and advance the film once. Watch the takeup spool to make sure that the film is engaged.

4. Close the back. Fire the shutter and advance the film twice. While doing this, watch the rewind crank. Assuming the film is taught(which it should be after step 2), the crank should turn nearly a full turn every time you advance the film.

One other thing-if the lab tells you that the film is blank, ALWAYS ask to at least see the film. All film comes pre-exposed at the factory with edge codes that identify the frame numbers and emulsion type. Even if the film has never been exposed, these edge markings will show up. If they're not there, the lab's chemicals are off. I've heard a handful of stories about the "Friday Night Syndrome", where the employee shutting down the lab was in a hurry to leave on a Friday night and mixed up the chemicals, pouring fixer replenisher in the developer.

Answer 2

Ok,

If the film was "blank"--- Was it completely dark? If so it was exposed to too much light...Like opening the back and completely exposing the film

If the film was see through...no images that means that the film never was exposed to light... ie loaded improperly..Next time you load film watch and make sure it catches you might loose a frame or two, but that's better than a whole roll. Also, If you try to squeeze out extra frames at the end of a roll it could seperate from the film canister and when you opened the back totally ruin the film....

If you still can't figure it out take the camera to a camera store and have someone show you how to load the camera properly...

Answer 3

The Nikon FM10 is a completely manual film camera (manual focus, manual loading and manual metering). Your case in a classic example of an incorrect film loading, resulting in a failed film transport.

Get a new film, in subdued light, load it so that the film tip is securely placed at the take up receptacle. Ensure that NO slack is observed. Close the back cover and as you wind the film, make sure that the film rewind knob/lever winds counterclockwise in tandem with the film winding lever. This indicates that the film is winding correctly.
Happy clicking, and as a note, when buying from any auction house, please read the listings carefully as some cameras are fully tested and some are sold only as a display item (non functional or with bad optics). That will be clearly reflected at the start price. A camera described as in excellent condition might be excellent in cosmetic condition, but failed terribly on function.

Answer 4

there could be 3 reasons why your film was BLANK when you got it back from "developing"....

1. Film was placed in the camera incorrectly and NEVER advanced frame by frame... when you "rewound" the film, if there was NO pull while rewinding, then the film probably never loaded properly.

2. You may have not had your lens opening turned on WIDE enough---if your aperture and F-stops were set too low...that TOO would make the film come out without any exposures on it...

3. Lens cap not removed? don't laugh, it happens...

Answer 5

When the back door was closed, and the film was wound to the first frame, it obviously disconnected from the roller.

How was the film rewound? If manually, was there any tension on the winder at first? Most of the film should have been on the right roller and should have taken a bit of effort to wind it in.

Either way, the film would have been in the cannister when the back was reopened.

Also, next time, when the film is wound to the next frame, make sure the winder moving as well.

The Rat

Answer 6

If the film is clear you have no exposure which is going to be caused a few reasons. 1. The leader did not catch. When you load the film, make sure you rewind the slack and watch the rewind knob spin when you advance the film. 2 Your shutter is not opening. Double check without film and the back open. Shoot at various speeds. 3. Severe under exposure. I doubt this happened. You'd have to be way, way under not to see anything on the film.

Answer 7

was the film tucked all the way in? if the tab was still out then it never loaded. if the film was completely in the canister i'd go online and check for an online manual. but i'd try with the loading.. if it's overexposure or some other odd problem, they can usually tell on the film.. also check to make sure the lens cap is opening

Answer 8

My standard tip is what Ben says about watching the rewind crank. If you don't get it, read his answer again and again until you do. He explained it very well.

You can shoot just a few pics (5-6) if you want so you don't have to pay for a bunch of prints you don't need. You are just trying to test this to see if your purchase was a good one.

Answer 9

If its blank, the film probably was loaded incorrectly. Try Again!

Answer 10

Blank how?

Black/Dark = Pictures were never taken, never exposed the film

Light = Film got exposed to light.

Not sure how either could have happened.
Who buys film cameras these days anyways?