Canon 814XL Automatic Drive Belt??

[vickersdc]

Having sorted out the problems with my film editor / viewer, I turned my attentions to the fact that about 3/4 of first reel of film had not been exposed(?)

My film (Ektachrom 100D) shows the images as being exposed correctly, there then follows about 2" / 50mm of completely clear film, across the entire width including sprocket holes, which is then followed by 'black' film (entire width including sprocket holes) for the remainder of the film length. Naturally I lost just about everything I shot

I checked the camera and it appears to be OK (film cassette out, firing the shutter shows that the film gate is clear and optics good. The auto-aperture also works fine).

I then turned to the drive, which appears to be OK with no film in it, but if I gently put my finger on the drive sprocket it stops although the shutter is still going. This makes me think that if there is a drive belt in this camera, that it has stretched / weakened to the point where it is not driving the film through the gate.

Can anyone confirm this? Or offer any other suggestions? Can I still get a drive belt for this (if it has a drive belt)?

Cheers,
David.

[bolextech]

There are no drive belts in this camera. Everything is gear driven. The take-up spindle is allowed a controlled amount of slippage so it just pulls the slack in the film on the take-up side of the cartridge. If it is too weak, the film just sits there. If it is too strong, it could lead to image unsteadiness as the film is being yanked during the exposure period. From what you're saying, it sounds like it is too weak. There is an adjustment for this as there is on every camera but I cannot tell you if it's easy or complicated to do. On some cameras you have to disassemble quite a lot to reach this adjustment. It varies from model to model.

Cheers,
Jean-Louis

[vickersdc]

Shortly after posting my original question, a number of other things got in the way of me doing anything with this camera. I'm now (hopefully) going to get a chance to do something about this apparent slippage.

I've only put one roll of film through this camera, and I've another unused roll sitting here waiting for me to use it! Do I...

a) plonk it in the camera and use it, just to see it it does the same thing again?
b) start tearing the 814 down in an attempt to find out what the problem is?

In favour of (a) is that it might have been user-error, or needed to see some use, or something else? Against it, is the fact that it'll be a waste of £30.

In favour of (b) is that I might sort it out, but then again it may never be the same again

What would you do?

Cheers,
David.