To avoid framing issues (if it's still relevent) do the following: 1. Push the button at the bottom of the camera to dissengage the take up mechanism. 2. Take the leader of the film and put the FIRST sprocket onto the tooth of the take up spool (you may need to rotate the take up spool a bit for this) and hold it firmly with your finger. 3. Whilst holding it pull the canister backwards and put it to its chamber. 4. Lower the rewind crank and engage it to the canister. 5. Rewind to take any slack inside the canister, until there is none of it left. You can tell by looking at the film opening of the canister. It must be flush with the light window next to it. 6. Still holding firmly the edge of the leader, crank once and make shure that the sprockets engage with the teeth of the gear next to the take up spool. If they do so loading is done properly. You can then close the back and crank to remove the exposed part of the film as you know. The dissadvantage of this camera is that it rotates the film clockwise, instead of counterclockwise. The result is that the part of the film between the take up spool and the gear lacks the necessary tension, so the teeth of the gear do not engage properly with the sprocket holes. It is not just this camera, all cameras (including more expensive) which use this style of rotation potentially suffer from the same issue. (There is a good reason why many film slr makers chose the counterclockwise rotation).
Thanks for this video, Nick. I have just started to use my Lomo Smena 8m film camera, with a slightly out of date film, so it was interesting to see your results.
I've been doing photography since 1987 (87-2004 with film and since 2004 digital) and have tried many cheap and simple cameras. The Symbol was one that I considered; they could be bought 'new' in the '90's but didn't get one. I think it was the one with the blue plastic that put me off ! Are the 'cloud' symbols the shutter speeds ?
Found this camera in my late nan & grandad’s house a few months ago whilst clearing it out. Only the other day noticed it had film inside. Only about 7 pictures taken. My wife opened it accidentally, not realising any film was inside so probably ruined, but the film must’ve been in there at least 35 years. Sent it off but not hopeful of anything coming out. Looking forward to taking it out myself though. Enjoyed the video.
My first camera, the cosmic symbol. 198? Maybe 83? Cost £7.95 from Lizars in shandwick place Edinburgh (on special offer, amazing what you remember as a 6yo.) Excellent photos in comparison to the point-and-shoot Halina 110 ...but always missed the flash!! Nothing else came close on price though.
Nick, interesting video and impressive results. I have just purchased my own CS but despite assurances that this is a working example; I can't get the shutter lever to move or the film advance to shift. Does the camera require that a film is loaded and 'correct' shutter speed/aperture is set before shooting, or should it work regardless, please? I have downloaded the user manual but can find no reference to this. Thanks.
Sounds like an issue to me as I'm able to crank the advance lever and fire the shutter even with the film door open. Sorry yours as issues, get in contact with your seller.
Exciting that you found a camera!!! :D I think I might have Lomo Color 400, which some people say is Kodak UltraMax. But I would just use any film you can get and just experiment and have fun. Enjoy
To avoid framing issues (if it's still relevent) do the following:
1. Push the button at the bottom of the camera to dissengage the take up mechanism.
2. Take the leader of the film and put the FIRST sprocket onto the tooth of the take up spool (you may need to rotate the take up spool a bit for this) and hold it firmly with your finger.
3. Whilst holding it pull the canister backwards and put it to its chamber.
4. Lower the rewind crank and engage it to the canister.
5. Rewind to take any slack inside the canister, until there is none of it left. You can tell by looking at the film opening of the canister. It must be flush with the light window next to it.
6. Still holding firmly the edge of the leader, crank once and make shure that the sprockets engage with the teeth of the gear next to the take up spool. If they do so loading is done properly. You can then close the back and crank to remove the exposed part of the film as you know.
The dissadvantage of this camera is that it rotates the film clockwise, instead of counterclockwise. The result is that the part of the film between the take up spool and the gear lacks the necessary tension, so the teeth of the gear do not engage properly with the sprocket holes. It is not just this camera, all cameras (including more expensive) which use this style of rotation potentially suffer from the same issue. (There is a good reason why many film slr makers chose the counterclockwise rotation).
Just discovered your videos today. They are both informative and calming!
Thank you, hope they help.
Nice review, thank you Nick!
Thanks
Thanks for this video, Nick. I have just started to use my Lomo Smena 8m film camera, with a slightly out of date film, so it was interesting to see your results.
If you nail focusing, then the images that come out of the camera are great. Unfortunately my has some severe spacing issues. I hope yours is better
@@NickSmithPhoto Thanks for the advice. I will let you know when I have used up the film and had it developed.
I've been doing photography since 1987 (87-2004 with film and since 2004 digital) and have tried many cheap and simple cameras. The Symbol was one that I considered; they could be bought
'new' in the '90's but didn't get one. I think it was the one with the blue plastic that put me off ! Are the 'cloud' symbols the shutter speeds ?
No they correspond to certain shutter speeds. The shutter speeds as numbers are opposite to the symbols at the bottom of the barrel.
Found this camera in my late nan & grandad’s house a few months ago whilst clearing it out. Only the other day noticed it had film inside. Only about 7 pictures taken. My wife opened it accidentally, not realising any film was inside so probably ruined, but the film must’ve been in there at least 35 years. Sent it off but not hopeful of anything coming out. Looking forward to taking it out myself though. Enjoyed the video.
What a find! Lets hope that you get the film back with some hidden memories on it. Have fun with the camera.
Did the photos come back?
My first camera, the cosmic symbol. 198? Maybe 83? Cost £7.95 from Lizars in shandwick place Edinburgh (on special offer, amazing what you remember as a 6yo.) Excellent photos in comparison to the point-and-shoot Halina 110 ...but always missed the flash!! Nothing else came close on price though.
110 film was like spy size film, I can’t imagine that size negative was particularly good
Nick, interesting video and impressive results. I have just purchased my own CS but despite assurances that this is a working example; I can't get the shutter lever to move or the film advance to shift. Does the camera require that a film is loaded and 'correct' shutter speed/aperture is set before shooting, or should it work regardless, please? I have downloaded the user manual but can find no reference to this. Thanks.
Sounds like an issue to me as I'm able to crank the advance lever and fire the shutter even with the film door open. Sorry yours as issues, get in contact with your seller.
@@NickSmithPhoto Thanks Nick, I only paid a pittance for the bloomin' thing so I'm just going to consign it to the bin. Atb. 👍
Where did you get that ufo cow light?
I bought it at a convention about 13 years ago or so. I found this site, but can’t remember if this is the same company or not. abductionlamp.com
@@NickSmithPhoto thank u
What colour film have you used for this video? I've found this camera in my house, and I'm planning on learning how to use it :D
Exciting that you found a camera!!! :D I think I might have Lomo Color 400, which some people say is Kodak UltraMax. But I would just use any film you can get and just experiment and have fun. Enjoy