negative spacing

I have a Nikon FM-2n. I process my own B&W. I frequently get

negative image frames that have larger-than-normal gaps and others

that almost overlap. Is it me or is the camera defective?

I can't think of anything you could do, short of pressing

the rewind button on the bottom of the camera, that would

cause uneven spacing. I'm sure that your own processing

isn't contributing in any way, since negative spacing is determined

at exposure time, not during processing.

Have you ever tried to get one or two extra frames from a roll of film?

If you have done this, the film advance might be in need of service by a good repairman (or Nikon USA.) I have a FM2n (bought new in 1985) and it still does pretty good.

One possibility is the switching of lenses. Short focal length lenses will give a slightly larger image on the film than longer f.l. This is because the camera frame is slightly in front of the film, and with a short f.l. more of the image "sneaks" around it.

 

Alex

It sounds to me as though a trip to the repairers might be required. If you do see a repairer remember to take a strip of negatives with you to demonstrate the problem.

When brand new, every camera gives regular spacing. As the gears and cogs wear down, they don't. Don't get the camera serviced if you don't actually get an overlap! If you do your own printing it doesn't make any difference!

 

Try getting the slack out of your film you have just loaded up by turning the rewind knob, once you have your camera ready at frame 1. This might help a little.

When the spacing gets too erratic (i.e., frames overlap), dump the camera. In my experience, this can't be economically fixed.