Loading Film Into AE-1

[eddisbuns]

Hi everyone! this is my first post here..!

Anyway, I just started using an old Canon AE-1 camera I found. I'm having questions about loading film though.

I was told to slip the film into the takeup spool and pull the advance lever and shoot off a couple of shots to get to the frames of the film..

How do I know how far to pull the film into the camera so that the film frames and the camera align? How many times do I advance the film to get to the first frame? and finally, do the frames start when the film counter reads 0, or 1?

thanks a lot for your help..!

[Theodore]

1. Pop the film into the camera.

2. Grab the leader, and pull it out until you get the leader into the takeup spool

3. Leaving the back open, crank the film advance (shutter cock) once, making sure that the teeth engage the perforations.

4. If it is engaged, close the back. Fire the camera, crank once more. Fire, crank.

5. Enjoy.

Sometimes it wastes a frame, but good way to do it until you're sure of the method.

The film doesn't actually have "Frames" the frames are made by the camera.

[Xia_Ke]

Hi eddisbuns, welcome to PR

Nice to see another film shooter around. Not sure if you have a copy but, here is a link to download the manual for the AE-1. Hope to see some pics some time :thumbsup:

[mjs1973]

Welcome to the site! One thing that I always try to keep an eye on when using my AE-1 is to watch the spool on top of the camera as you advance the film. As you advance the film, you will see that spool turn. If it doesn't turn, your film isn't advancing. I have ran through a whole role or film (or so I thought) and not realized that my film leader wasn't properly placed in the take up spool.

[eddisbuns]

Thanks Theodore! I had thought film had frames that I had to align to. Makes much more sense now.

Xia Ke, thanks for the manual, I do have a copy, but it's nice to have an electronic copy (I tend to misplace things)

mjs1973, You solved the mystery of the 'empty' film spool that I tried to get developed at CVS, thanks..!

[Rivman]

Welcome to the site! One thing that I always try to keep an eye on when using my AE-1 is to watch the spool on top of the camera as you advance the film. As you advance the film, you will see that spool turn. If it doesn't turn, your film isn't advancing. I have ran through a whole role or film (or so I thought) and not realized that my film leader wasn't properly placed in the take up spool.

excellent point mjs1973, . . . been there, done that (AE1-P).