If I had to guess (and I am very much guessing here), the shop is likely correct and the camera claw is having difficulty pulling the film down (though that clip looked mighty stable...so it works splendidly for 6 seconds at the end of the roll?). However, it's possible that this was a fluke and that particular cartridge of film was defective. I've rarely come across a super 8 camera that I couldn't find some technical or mechanical deficiency with, but not all of them result in an unworkable camera.
Might it be cheaper to try and shoot a roll of B&W reversal, and get that roll processed before declaring it unfit and giving a refund of any sort?
-Jason Halprin
________________________________
From: Kevin Timmins <on-one-2_at_hotmail.com>
To: frameworks_at_jonasmekasfilms.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 5:31 PM
Subject: [Frameworks] Camera Problems
Hi all,
I have a super 8 query regarding a camera I sold a while back. I'm trying to figure out what's happened. Now I tested the camera before sending it out and got images/the film pulled through fine.
Here is what the buyer has said has happened after using a film cartridge (100d, with correct settings, etc) developed by a lab in soho:
"they called to say that only a six second burst had come out. It so happened to be the last 6 second burst that I did owing to the fact that the film counter had reached 50ft. After getting the film back and looking the exposure is great. I have taken it for a free look over by a pro camera shop in soho. They have said that the film is not going through the gate, and that the claw is not grabbing the notches on the film. They also said it was very dry inside the camera. I understand what all of this means, I have a good understanding of how cameras still and now moving work. They quoted £129.99 + v.a.t for a full service and mend with a six month guarantee. This is lots of money for what was supposed to be some fun."
Ok now like I said I tested the camera and it pulled through/developed fine. Also what confuses me is he says the film is not going through the gate, the claw is not grabbing the notches of the film? Why then did that 6 second burst work?
Here is an online video of the footage that came out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3C3Kcqn_Pg
Can anyone tell me what they think of this footage and the general situation or come up with some explanation? If the camera is genuinely faulty I would give the buyer at least a partial refund, however the buyer has told me that the soho shop dismantled the camera (which makes me a little dubious about sending a refund as it's not how I sent it out and there could be some tampering going on). Also this soho shop sounds a bit steep with their prices, does anyone know anything about this shop in soho?
Sorry if anyone on here actually works at this soho shop, I don't want to imply there is anything suspicious going on, I just want to get to the bottom of this and come to a fair conclusion.
Thanks
Kev
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Received on Wed Oct 05 2011 - 15:57:32 CDT
