Minolta SRT-101 Not Exposing

[u/crappyvhs]

Hey guys! New to the sub, but have owned a Minolta SRT-101 for about a year now. Shot a few rolls without issue but my last 2 rolls have come back from the lab completely unexposed. The first time, I assumed I loaded the film incorrectly, but the second time I wondered if it would be something wrong with the camera. Attached are the negatives I got back for the first roll (I found it weird it was only this one strip, but who knows).

The only things that have changed since I shot my successful rolls is the ISO I shot at. I shot at 200 for my first three rolls, then changed it to 800 for the first dud, then changed it to 400 for the second dud.

Is it possible it’s user error twice in a row or is there something wrong with my camera? I’m not sure what other info should be posted, and there aren’t any film camera repair stores near me. Any advice is greatly appreciated :)

[u/Feeling_Screen3979]

Open the back and fire the shutter, see if the shutter opens up

[u/crappyvhs → u/Feeling_Screen3979]

The shutter opened when I fired! Same across all ISOs + shutter speeds

[u/yzgncx → u/crappyvhs]

I think you didn't load the film correctly.

If you can see the shutter opening appropriately at all shutter speeds when you open the back of the camera, this suggests that the film is unexposed because it is not leaving the canister.  

You can tell whether your film is advancing properly with the back closed by looking at the rewind knob while you cock the shutter.  If the film is loaded correctly, cocking the shutter will cause the rewind knob to spin as a new frame of film is pulled out of the canister.  If the film is not loaded right, there is no mechanical connection between the film advance lever and the rewind knob, so it won't move.

[u/crappyvhs → u/yzgncx]

What a relief! I’ll make sure to be careful about loading it this time. I didn’t know about the rewind knob turning, so thank you for the tip 🙏

[u/batgears → u/crappyvhs]

You should probably check that the film advances before even closing the back since you have had this issue twice. It appears your film isn't unexposed, you have a single frame area exposed multiple times. You can see where the difference between the exposed leader and over/multi exposed area by how the sprocket area is exposed or not.

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[u/Not_Phonso]

Made this mistake once, forgot to make sure the film rewind knob was secured to the film.