Pentax 645 film doesn't rewind after 15 shots

jmacy9109 · 09-13-2020, 06:43 PM

Just bought used pretty good condition pentax 645. First roll I shot it the film rewinded no problem. But the rest ive shot since It doesn't rewind and I've just had to click the shutter another 15-20 times and then I can take the back out with and it is wound up. It never does any rewinding though. Also when I try to do the manual rewind with the screw from the bottom that doesnt seem to work either it just keeps going and going (ive done it for along time) and film is still exposed. The only thing that works is firing the shutter off a dozen or more so times after 15 then it is wound up. I am using brand new batteries to seen alot of people saying things about batteries.

stevebrot · 09-13-2020, 09:02 PM

You should be getting 16 15 shots on the 645* before it finishes winding off to the take-up reel after the last exposure. You should be able to remove the film holder at that point to find the film fully wound onto the take-up spool. Are you sure you are loading it properly and using the 120 rather than the 220 film holder? I am also a bit confused regarding a manual wind screw. Your camera does not support that. Do you have a copy of the user manual?

Pentax Manuals | Medium Format

Steve

* The 645n and later models got 16 exposures per roll.

**Ed Hurst** · 09-13-2020, 09:09 PM - **1 Like**

Also, please note that (unlike 35mm film), in normal use, it doesn't rewind - as you use up the film, it merely winds onto the second reel (which you remove for processing), leaving the reel that the new (unexposed) film was on empty - which you then move into the position of the reel that had contained the exposed film. By this means, you are always winding film onto the reel that was freed up by the previous film. The only time you ever need to rewind is if you are removing a film that has been incompletely used so that you can then wind it back to the same position another time and then use it up.

**fs999** · 09-14-2020, 12:31 AM

As explained on Photrio, on the left the back is configured for 120 and on the right for 220 films.

Last edited by fs999; 09-16-2020 at 08:19 AM.

stevebrot · 09-14-2020, 01:08 PM

BTW...Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

Steve

stevebrot · 09-14-2020, 01:16 PM

@jmacy9109 ... Aha! I knew this problem sounded familiar! Below is a link to a similar problem posted to the troubleshooting section of this site. I believe the information you need will be found there.

645n not rewinding after 16 frames - PentaxForums.com

Steve

**Alex645** · 09-15-2020, 12:51 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

YI am also a bit confused regarding a manual wind screw. Your camera does not support that. Do you have a copy of the user manual?

Pentax Manuals | Medium Format

Originally posted by Ed Hurst

Also, please note that (unlike 35mm film), in normal use, it doesn't rewind - as you use up the film, it merely winds onto the second reel (which you remove for processing), leaving the reel that the new (unexposed) film was on empty - which you then move into the position of the reel that had contained the exposed film. By this means, you are always winding film onto the reel that was freed up by the previous film.

The manual wind screw on the 645 is for manually advancing (not rewinding) the film and actuating the shutter if you lose power. But as others have written, the 645 does not rewind. The unexposed fresh film is advanced onto the empty reel, and then after removing the film, you put the empty reel that had fresh film into the take up position for the next reel.

stevebrot · 09-15-2020, 10:03 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Alex645

The manual wind screw on the 645 is for manually advancing (not rewinding) the film and actuating the shutter if you lose power.

Thanks for the clarification. I have hands-on with the 645n, but not the 645 and your comment sent me back to that model's manual where I did find the section on manual wind. My bad.

Steve

**Alex645** · 09-15-2020, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Thanks for the clarification. I have hands-on with the 645n, but not the 645 and your comment sent me back to that model's manual where I did find the section on manual wind. My bad.

Steve

No worries. I have both the 645 and 645N. Often I err on 645N info assuming it has functions only found on the 645. Pentax made some significant changes between models.

jmacy9109 · 09-17-2020, 08:12 PM

Got back some pics from the rolls. looks like im having winding issues

yucafrita · 09-17-2020, 10:25 PM

Winding or shutter issues?

**Alex645** · 09-18-2020, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by jmacy9109

Got back some pics from the rolls. looks like im having winding issues

It could be winding, shutter issues, and/or flash sync issues. Are you certain you are loading the film correctly?

What would help the most is that you describe how you load the film and to also post a proof sheet so we can see not only the edge numbers, but also the first and last frame.

09-13-2020, 06:43 PM	#1
jmacy9109 New Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 2	Pentax 645 film doesn't rewind after 15 shots Just bought used pretty good condition pentax 645. First roll I shot it the film rewinded no problem. But the rest ive shot since It doesn't rewind and I've just had to click the shutter another 15-20 times and then I can take the back out with and it is wound up. It never does any rewinding though. Also when I try to do the manual rewind with the screw from the bottom that doesnt seem to work either it just keeps going and going (ive done it for along time) and film is still exposed. The only thing that works is firing the shutter off a dozen or more so times after 15 then it is wound up. I am using brand new batteries to seen alot of people saying things about batteries.

09-13-2020, 09:02 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	You should be getting 16 15 shots on the 645* before it finishes winding off to the take-up reel after the last exposure. You should be able to remove the film holder at that point to find the film fully wound onto the take-up spool. Are you sure you are loading it properly and using the 120 rather than the 220 film holder? I am also a bit confused regarding a manual wind screw. Your camera does not support that. Do you have a copy of the user manual? Pentax Manuals \| Medium Format Steve * The 645n and later models got 16 exposures per roll. Last edited by stevebrot; 09-13-2020 at 09:50 PM. Reason: accuracy

09-17-2020, 08:12 PM	#10
jmacy9109 New Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Got back some pics from the rolls. looks like im having winding issues Attached Images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rewind crank not turning much with the film advance lever	PjayPages	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	28	05-04-2019 10:20 AM
Pentax MX: Cannot rewind film	Pete in SD	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	04-20-2019 09:14 AM
Do I need to rewind my 127 film onto the purchased film spool?	Aegon	Pentax Medium Format	8	09-14-2017 11:20 AM
645 doesn't fully rewind film	Jonathan Mac	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	3	09-17-2012 03:34 PM
Trying to rewind/remove the film in a Pentax ME Super	nady94	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	7	10-28-2010 12:24 AM

09-13-2020, 09:09 PM - 1 Like	#3
Ed Hurst Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,657	Also, please note that (unlike 35mm film), in normal use, it doesn't rewind - as you use up the film, it merely winds onto the second reel (which you remove for processing), leaving the reel that the new (unexposed) film was on empty - which you then move into the position of the reel that had contained the exposed film. By this means, you are always winding film onto the reel that was freed up by the previous film. The only time you ever need to rewind is if you are removing a film that has been incompletely used so that you can then wind it back to the same position another time and then use it up.

09-14-2020, 12:31 AM	#4
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,638	As explained on Photrio, on the left the back is configured for 120 and on the right for 220 films. Last edited by fs999; 09-16-2020 at 08:19 AM.

09-14-2020, 01:08 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	BTW...Welcome to the Pentax Forums! Steve

09-14-2020, 01:16 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	@jmacy9109 ... Aha! I knew this problem sounded familiar! Below is a link to a similar problem posted to the troubleshooting section of this site. I believe the information you need will be found there. 645n not rewinding after 16 frames - PentaxForums.com Steve

09-15-2020, 12:51 AM	#7
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by stevebrot YI am also a bit confused regarding a manual wind screw. Your camera does not support that. Do you have a copy of the user manual? Pentax Manuals \| Medium Format Originally posted by Ed Hurst Also, please note that (unlike 35mm film), in normal use, it doesn't rewind - as you use up the film, it merely winds onto the second reel (which you remove for processing), leaving the reel that the new (unexposed) film was on empty - which you then move into the position of the reel that had contained the exposed film. By this means, you are always winding film onto the reel that was freed up by the previous film. The manual wind screw on the 645 is for manually advancing (not rewinding) the film and actuating the shutter if you lose power. But as others have written, the 645 does not rewind. The unexposed fresh film is advanced onto the empty reel, and then after removing the film, you put the empty reel that had fresh film into the take up position for the next reel.

09-15-2020, 10:03 AM - 1 Like	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Alex645 The manual wind screw on the 645 is for manually advancing (not rewinding) the film and actuating the shutter if you lose power. Thanks for the clarification. I have hands-on with the 645n, but not the 645 and your comment sent me back to that model's manual where I did find the section on manual wind. My bad. Steve

09-15-2020, 11:23 AM	#9
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by stevebrot Thanks for the clarification. I have hands-on with the 645n, but not the 645 and your comment sent me back to that model's manual where I did find the section on manual wind. My bad. Steve No worries. I have both the 645 and 645N. Often I err on 645N info assuming it has functions only found on the 645. Pentax made some significant changes between models.

09-17-2020, 10:25 PM	#11
yucafrita Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 459	Winding or shutter issues?

09-18-2020, 12:02 PM	#12
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by jmacy9109 Got back some pics from the rolls. looks like im having winding issues It could be winding, shutter issues, and/or flash sync issues. Are you certain you are loading the film correctly? What would help the most is that you describe how you load the film and to also post a proof sheet so we can see not only the edge numbers, but also the first and last frame.