camera problems

I had a problem when inserting my roll into the camera. I would pull the top to open the camera, then put the film in with some of it already out of the roll. Next I placed the film into a slot and attempted to wind up the film by pulling back on the lever, however it was stuck and not reeling the film. I was unsure of what I was doing wrong or if something was wrong with my camera? As a result I took it to the teacher who lent me the camera and he told me that i didn't pull back enough on the lever when taking my last shot.

If you used the last roll of film to the end(i.e where it won't advance anymore) there's a good chance you didn't finish the shutter cocking/film advance stroke. On some cameras(usually higher end pro cameras) it's possible to advance the film in multiple short strokes, while on other cameras the lever has to be thrown completely to the end of its travel.

 

In addition, when loading film you will typically need to fire the shutter BEFORE attempting to advance the film. There are exceptions to this, but it is more the rule than the exception.

You don't say what camera you have, but if you don't have an owner's manual go to www.butkus.org and see if he has a "free" one among the thousands he has for download. He does appreciate a $2-3 contribution, but well worth it IMHO.

In the usual case, when it won't wind, press the shutter release. Then wind again.

Sounds like the film wasn't even loaded properly.

 

Why not get your teacher to show you how to load and use the camera?