35mm film won't fit in Smena 8m

[guttedfish]

I am new to using film cameras.
I have a Smena 8m and bought Fujifilm Superia X-tra 400 35mm film, but the rolls don't seem to fit into the camera - they appear to be too long. Does anyone know why this is the case? Have I just bought the wrong film? or is there some other issue? or am I simply not doing it right!

Thanks.

 

[dennybeall]

The frame size of regular 8 mm is 4.8 mm × 3.5 mm, and
35 mm, is the common name for the 36×24 mm still camera film.
So, the 8mm movie film is 3.5mm while 35mm still camera film is 36mm, that tells us they are in no way compatible.
So you bought the wrong film.

 

[table1349]

The frame size of regular 8 mm is 4.8 mm × 3.5 mm, and
35 mm, is the common name for the 36×24 mm still camera film.
So, the 8mm movie film is 3.5mm while 35mm still camera film is 36mm, that tells us they are in no way compatible.
So you bought the wrong film.

fish, Try this. Smena-8M camera manual I can't believe that I actually found a copy of the manual for this thing. Plus it's not in Russian but is in English. Appears to have a somewhat unique loading technique. Did it come with the film cassettes?

 

[guttedfish]

I believe 8M is just the model of camera.

These are the camera's specifications:

Film width, mm 35
Frame size, mm 24x36
Exposures on a film 36
The lens — coated anastigmatic triplet T-43:
Focal lenght, mm 40
Maximum aperture 1:4
Shutter speeds, s 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and "B"
Distance scale, m from 1 to "infinity"
Aperture scale 4; 5.6; 8; 11; 16
Film ISO speed scale GOST/ISO 16, 32, 64, 125, 250
DIN 13, 16, 19, 22, 25
Filter thread M35.5x0.5

Do you have any experience with the smena 8m? should it really be 8mm film?

 

[guttedfish]

The frame size of regular 8 mm is 4.8 mm × 3.5 mm, and
35 mm, is the common name for the 36×24 mm still camera film.
So, the 8mm movie film is 3.5mm while 35mm still camera film is 36mm, that tells us they are in no way compatible.
So you bought the wrong film.

View attachment 123593

fish, Try this. Smena-8M camera manual I can't believe that I actually found a copy of the manual for this thing. Plus it's not in Russian but is in English. Appears to have a somewhat unique loading technique. Did it come with the film cassettes?

Thanks I will see how I go! Just stumbled upon that myself tyring to find the specs

 

[dennybeall]

OOOooopppssss??? Sorry

 

[table1349]

Looks like if it didn't come with the film cassettes you will have to search some out.

 

[guttedfish]

Success! Turns out it was pretty simple, the problem was me! thanks for your help.

 

[table1349]

Don't thank me thank the Russians. My theory with Russian cameras and gear in general is, if it doesn't make sense, that's how it works.

 

[vintagesnaps]

I looked it up and I've used cameras that are similar, that have a knob that's stationary (instead of being able to pull it up to load film) - so you have to angle the film cartridge to put it in the camera instead of placing it flat.

Saw this post earlier and found this but didn't get back to it before you figured it out! lol But since I looked it up, here it is. Hope you enjoy your camera.
Smena 8M
On the second page of the article at the bottom is a pdf of the manual. I found a YouTube video and even though the guy's speaking Russian he shows how to load it (which isn't needed now). Found a couple of videos in English where I don't think they ever loaded the camera! lol

 

[unpopular]

Actually guys, it takes 8M film, whose film gate is 8 meters diagonal. Don't let the photos fool you. This camera is bout the size of a honda civic.