SuperProgram tearing sprocket holes

FlannelSpoon · 04-25-2010, 10:43 PM

My camera has gotten into the habit of randomly tearing the sprocket holes on my recent rolls. Ever since I started using Arista.EDU and LegacyPro Black and White film for my class this has been happening. It never occurred while using Kodak color film. Is it the cheap re-brand film at fault or my camera and its user?

little laker · 04-25-2010, 11:03 PM

I can't see it being the films fault, however it's only a couple of $ for a cheap roll of film at Walmart to test.
From what I can tell Walmart film is made by Fuji, and seems to be pretty decent stuff for the $. So it should be perfect for a test.

Nesster · 04-26-2010, 06:08 AM

EDU is Foma, Legacy Pro is Fuji - the films should be good. Check to see that the film moves freely from the cartridge - ie. the rewind crank is free to move etc. Torn sprokets in the middle of the film indicate some unnatural resistance in the supply side.

Stevopedia · 04-26-2010, 06:16 AM

Are you using bulk loads for the class? My class did in high school (last year and the year before) and they were always unusually difficult to wind on, compared to pre-packaged films. Even the power winder in my dad's SF1n had trouble with it. If that's the case I wouldn't be surprised if that was the source of your troubles.

Wheatfield · 04-26-2010, 07:08 AM

This is actually a known problem with these cameras. The rewind shaft is more than likely binding somewhat.

Nesster · 04-26-2010, 07:25 AM

Ah! so the tear happens on the rewind then? Being careful with the rewind, and keeping a finger pushing in the rewind button might hel pin that case.

FlannelSpoon · 04-26-2010, 08:52 AM

The tearing is when advancing the frame. We use pre-packaged film in the class. Could it be that I bent the rewind shaft by dropping the camera a lot.

Portland Pete · 04-27-2010, 10:30 AM

Dropping could be the culprit if the rewind knob was pulled up at the time. I have heard of the rewind shaft becoming sticky on the SuperProgram, but I was never clear on what was causing it, but the increased friction on the film was contributing to the torn sprocket holes. From what I understand, it's a fairly inexpensive fix. Depending on where in Washington you are, they may be able to fix it a Blue Moon here in Portland. Otherwise, there is Eric Hendrickson who is on the forums here, who is the guy for all Pentax repairs. Good luck.

theperception2008 · 05-06-2010, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by FlannelSpoon

My camera has gotten into the habit of randomly tearing the sprocket holes on my recent rolls. Ever since I started using Arista.EDU and LegacyPro Black and White film for my class this has been happening. It never occurred while using Kodak color film. Is it the cheap re-brand film at fault or my camera and its user?

I have a Super Program and I don't think the film is the cause, I would agree with the possibility that the rewind shaft might be bent a little causing some binding. That would cause the film to come out of alignment.

When you load the film, do you turn the rewind knob a turn or two to take up the slack? If you are, you might be winding the knob too tightly as well. I hope that helps!

The Perception

04-25-2010, 10:43 PM	#1
FlannelSpoon Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Asheville, North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59	SuperProgram tearing sprocket holes My camera has gotten into the habit of randomly tearing the sprocket holes on my recent rolls. Ever since I started using Arista.EDU and LegacyPro Black and White film for my class this has been happening. It never occurred while using Kodak color film. Is it the cheap re-brand film at fault or my camera and its user?

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04-25-2010, 11:03 PM	#2
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	I can't see it being the films fault, however it's only a couple of $ for a cheap roll of film at Walmart to test. From what I can tell Walmart film is made by Fuji, and seems to be pretty decent stuff for the $. So it should be perfect for a test.

04-26-2010, 06:08 AM	#3
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	EDU is Foma, Legacy Pro is Fuji - the films should be good. Check to see that the film moves freely from the cartridge - ie. the rewind crank is free to move etc. Torn sprokets in the middle of the film indicate some unnatural resistance in the supply side.

04-26-2010, 06:16 AM	#4
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	Are you using bulk loads for the class? My class did in high school (last year and the year before) and they were always unusually difficult to wind on, compared to pre-packaged films. Even the power winder in my dad's SF1n had trouble with it. If that's the case I wouldn't be surprised if that was the source of your troubles.

04-26-2010, 07:08 AM	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	This is actually a known problem with these cameras. The rewind shaft is more than likely binding somewhat.

04-26-2010, 07:25 AM	#6
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Ah! so the tear happens on the rewind then? Being careful with the rewind, and keeping a finger pushing in the rewind button might hel pin that case.

04-26-2010, 08:52 AM	#7
FlannelSpoon Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Asheville, North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59 Original Poster	The tearing is when advancing the frame. We use pre-packaged film in the class. Could it be that I bent the rewind shaft by dropping the camera a lot.

04-27-2010, 10:30 AM	#8
Portland Pete Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 144	Dropping could be the culprit if the rewind knob was pulled up at the time. I have heard of the rewind shaft becoming sticky on the SuperProgram, but I was never clear on what was causing it, but the increased friction on the film was contributing to the torn sprocket holes. From what I understand, it's a fairly inexpensive fix. Depending on where in Washington you are, they may be able to fix it a Blue Moon here in Portland. Otherwise, there is Eric Hendrickson who is on the forums here, who is the guy for all Pentax repairs. Good luck.

05-06-2010, 02:11 PM	#9
theperception2008 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Łódź, Poland and Riverside, California, U.S.A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 488	Originally posted by FlannelSpoon My camera has gotten into the habit of randomly tearing the sprocket holes on my recent rolls. Ever since I started using Arista.EDU and LegacyPro Black and White film for my class this has been happening. It never occurred while using Kodak color film. Is it the cheap re-brand film at fault or my camera and its user? I have a Super Program and I don't think the film is the cause, I would agree with the possibility that the rewind shaft might be bent a little causing some binding. That would cause the film to come out of alignment. When you load the film, do you turn the rewind knob a turn or two to take up the slack? If you are, you might be winding the knob too tightly as well. I hope that helps! The Perception