F100 film advance problem

I have a fairly new (about 3 months) F100. When I put a fresh roll

of slide film in (with camera in the ON position), then close the

back, I get the err message & the frame count stays on "E". After I

open the back, the film appears to have caught on the spool &

sprockets. I am therefore losing 4 frames per roll. Any suggestions

as to what the problem might be? This just started 2-3 weeks ago. I

just returned from shooting 26 rolls in New England so the lost

frames are really adding up.

 

Thanks for advise.

Dotty,

 

<p>After 26 rolls it is likely time for a battery change. My f100 acts up frequently when the batteries are low. Swap out the bats and give it another try.

 

<p>Sean

<br><a href="http://stnphotography.com">www.stnphotography.com</a>

Sean,

 

I changed batteries several times....... no change in advance problem.

 

Thanks, though.

Rereading your post, did you have the problem with all 26 rolls? If so, I would for sure send it in to Nikon.

So, you close the back with the camera ON, it advances the film to the first frame, but still shows "E"; you open the back again, see that it is loaded properly, close it again, and it then advances again but this time displays the "1"???

 

This makes no sense.

 

At default settings, the F100 will not advance the film until you close the back, turn it ON, AND hit the shutter button. You need to set a custom function to get it to advance automatically upon closing the back. Be sure to press the buttons that reset all functions to their defaults.

 

It may also show ERR if it cannot read the DX coding on the film canister. Try setting the ISO setting manually to see if this fixes it.

Rick,

 

Yes I do have the custom function set to automatically advance the film when I close the back. As you know the camera MUST be on for this to function.

 

When I close the back it continually stays on E and only after I retrieve the leader (which has already engaged), turn (rewind)cannister so that leader (along with the first few frames) is in the same position as when I take it out of the box does it finally register the frame as "1". It has happened as many as 4 times on the same roll. I am using Velvia & Provia.

 

I will try the DX manual setting as well as default & report back. It may be a couple of days as I am in the middle of a roll which I will no doubt finish this weekend............if fall color EVER comes here.

 

Thanks.

As a postscript. when I close the back, the motor sounds as if it IS catching (actually it is, but incorrectly) despite the fact that the err/E still appears.

What happens if you kill the custom advance film setting, with the camera off, load a roll carefully matching the exposed leader red square, close the back, turn the camera on, and depress the shutter button?

 

If that works ok, then you have a very specific problem that you need to carefully communicate in writing to Nikon service when you send the camera back (hopefully through your dealer).

 

If that doesn't work, then you have two problems that you need to communicate, ....

 

Opening the back with the camera with contacts for controls mounted on the door exposed and subject to static discharges isn't something that too many electrical engineers experienced with CMOS computer ciruitry would recommend.

<i>...Opening the back with the camera with contacts for controls mounted on the door exposed and subject to static discharges isn't something that too many electrical engineers experienced with CMOS computer ciruitry would recommend.</i><p>

Not only did you go way over the head of Dotty and many other people with that one, I think it is a big supposition that that could possibly be the cause of the problem we are talking about here. CMOS circuitry connects with the outside world all the time so obviously there are ways to protect it from static discharge. I would trust Nikon engineers were well aware of the situation when they came up with that design.

Craig,

 

"Opening the back with the camera with contacts for controls mounted on the door exposed and subject to static discharges isn't something that too many electrical engineers experienced with CMOS computer ciruitry would recommend"

 

Please explain. You lost me there.

Certainly Craig could explain, but I believe he is saying the design of the camera back is poor. His theory is that when it is opened it exposes the internal electrical contacts and subjects them to possible static discharge which in turn could damage the associated semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry. <p>

As I said, this would be a real stretch in explaining your problem and certainly in reality has nothing to do with it. <p>

CMOS circuitry interfaces with the outside world every day and where it does there are ways to prevent problems caused be ESD. I think Craig was thinking of situations where connections or connectors are not normally exposed to ESD and thus precautions need to be taken in handling since these are not normally protected.

There may be a much simpler explanation for this probleem. If you pull the leader too far over (don't ever dare pass the red mark), you will get this message and the camera won't advance the film.

 

Try a new roll (or a roll you have pushed back into the cartridge far enough that it doesn't extend too far) and give it a try.

 

Hope for the best.

 

Conni

Conni,

 

Well I suspect that your simple answer was the right one. I have only started 2 rolls (still awaiting fall color here) and with each of them I was extremely careful not to let the leader go even a hair beyond the red marker. Both times, it worked. I guess I had no idea that it was so super critical.

 

Thanks to all for the responses. Much appreciated.