F100: Tricky Film Loading

[jim_stenstrom]

Hello,

 

My dad is letting me try out his F100 (I have an N80 and a F4S). My

question is about film loading for the F100. It seems very

sensitive compared to the N80 I have. My dad said it has always

been tricky for him to load it. I am wondering whether there is a

problem with it. Other F100 owners, do you have film loading

problems?

 

Thanks for your responses.

[schleprock21]

No problems here. I just make sure the film leader doesn't go past the red mark.

[Ed_Ingold]

I disagree. The leader has to go to or a little beyond the red mark. Hold the film flat over the sprockets and in the film plane with your thumb until the back is nearly closed.

[photojim]

I've owned several AF Nikon bodies and I don't find the F100 to be any harder to load than any of the others. Just make sure you don't extend the film too far, and make sure it's flat.

 

As an aside, I shoot a lot of bulk black and white film and none of the AF bodies I've used (F50, F601, F90, F90x, F100) have required that I cut a leader. It saves some time and makes loading the film in the darkroom easier.

[jim_stenstrom]

Thanks for the answers. I will try keeping the film flat and aligning the end with the red marker. It seems with the N80 I can

be sloppier, and the F4S I make sure the film is aligned with the sprockets.

[eye-of-searle]

I think every camera has little quirks about film loading. For example, on my Nikon N70 the film canister almost snaps into place on the fork and loading is extremely easy. On my F100 the film canister fits a little loser on the fork and this sometimes causes the film to be slightly misalligned crossing over the shutter and onto the take up spool which caused the camera to not advance the film. I just place my left thump on the canister when loading and this makes it work perfect. Not a big deal at all. And like others said, don't extend the film too far or the camera will not take it up. This is true for just about any auto advance camera.

 

Jim

[jim mucklin]

As Edward said, use your thumb, the canister wants to roll because of the curve in the leader, my 100 loads easier than my 80.

[steve_muntz]

I always thought the F100 was pretty easy to load compared to the F5. The F5's red mark is a little farther into the film compartment than the F100's, but both of them (or really any auto-loading camera) need to have the film leader pulled out to a very specific length. After you do it a few times you shouldn't have a problem with it.

[constance_cook]

I find my F100 to be more senstive than either my F5or N80s. It wants the film right on the red mark. If I'm in the ballpark with the F5, it's fine.

 

Conni

[john y.k. lee]

I had the same problem initially with my F100. However, after several rolls, it became easier and easier. I don't know what I did or changed, though.