How to Load Film into the Nishika N8000
This page will show you how to load film into your Nishika N8000 and how to make sure the camera is functioning properly. If this is your first time using your Nishika N8000, make sure to read through the before you load film section.
For more information on the camera, you can see the Nishika N8000 camera page.
Before You Load Film
Batteries Not Required
The Nishika N8000 has a mechanical shutter. Batteries are only required for the “light meter” to operate.
The Nishika N8000 uses two AA batteries. If the battery door is missing or there is battery corrosion, don’t worry, the camera will still function.
Make Sure the Nishika N8000 Functions Correctly
If your Nishika N8000 has not been used in a long time or if it is your first time using the camera, check to make sure the shutter is functioning correctly before loading 35mm film.
Cock the shutter with the film advance lever and press the shutter release button to make sure the shutters work. You can open the film back and point the camera at a light source before pressing the shutter release button to see the shutters open. If they are working you’ll see light when you press the shutter button.
Make Sure There is No Film Loaded in the Camera
If there is any film left in the camera, it will be ruined if it is exposed to light. Unlike some cameras, the Nishika N8000 does not have a window to see if film is currently loaded in the camera.
To check if there is film in the camera, follow the same steps on how to rewind and remove film from the Nishika N8000. This is the same process you’ll follow once you’ve shot all the exposures on the film you’re loading.
Do Not Load Film in Sunlight
You can ruin your film by loading it in direct sunlight or bright light.
Bright light increases the risk of light piping. When this happens light is able to penetrate through the light seal on the 35mm film canister.
The film is not guaranteed to be completely ruined. You could end up with varying degrees of fogging.
Fogging can produce a range of undesirable outcomes such as a loss of contrast, blown-out streaks, or a completely exposed frame. The problem should subside with progressive frames.
Film Choices
The Nishika N8000 has a sticker on the inside where it is recommended to use ISO 100 film. That’s a fine for using outdoors on a sunny day or with the Nishika Twin Light 3010 Flash.
The shutter speed is fixed at 1/60 of a second with the three apertures being f/8, f/11, and f/19. If you are comfortable enough with calculating exposure, you can choose any ISO that will work.
Film degrades in quality over time. It should also not be exposed to hot temperatures like those in a car on a sunny day or attic during summer.
Expired film can be used, but you are not guaranteed predictable performance.
For the best results, use a fresh pack of film that is not expired. My recommendations are:
Black Black & White White
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Color
Step-by-Step How to Load Film
Time needed: 1 minute.
How to load film into the Nishika N8000. For demonstration purposes, I am using a roll of film that has been exposed.
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Open the film door.
To open the film door on the Nishika N8000, pull up on the film rewind knob. Leave the knob pulled up so you can load the film canister.
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Load the roll of film.
The film roll gets loaded into the left side with the film leader on the bottom. The film leader is the rounded half-width section at the start of every roll of film.
Tilt the 35mm film canister towards the top of the camera when loading to make it easier.
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Push the film rewind knob back down.
The rewind knob has prongs that will fit into the film canister that can be seen in the photo below. This will keep the film canister in place, as well as allowing you to rewind the film.
You may need to turn the film rewind knob a small amount to get the prongs to align correctly with the film canister.
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Pull the film leader over to the film take-up spool.
With your left hand hold the film canister in place. With your right hand gently pull the film leader over to the take-up spool.
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Thread the film leader into the take-up spool.
The take-up spool has slots and sprockets designed to hold the film in place. Carefully insert the film leader and make sure enough of the film leader is inserted to be firmly held in place. Line up film perforations with the sprockets.
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Advance the film and fire the shutter.
With your left hand, hold the film canister in place. With your right hand, use the film advance lever to cock the camera.
Look to make sure the film leader does not come out of the slot in the film take-up spool.
You can also do this step with the film door closed. This can potentially allow you to squeeze out another shot from the frame 0. Pay attention to the film rewind knob, it should rotate counter-clockwise when you use the film advance lever.
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Close the film door.
Carefully close the film door. Make sure the film rewind knob is down and the film door has securely latched closed. There is a slot on the back of the camera where you can insert a film box tab so you know what film is loaded in the camera.
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Advance and fire the shutter until the frame counter is at 1.
The film needs to be advanced past what was exposed during the loading process. To do this you will need to cock and fire the shutter a couple of times until the film counter is at 1.
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You’re ready to take photographs.
Congratulations! Your camera is now loaded with film and ready to shoot.
Once you’ve shot the roll of film, check out this guide that will show you how to unload film from the Nishika N8000.
Where to develop film? You can do it at home, or send it off to a lab to be developed and scanned.
How to Know When a Roll of Film is Done?
The film roll is used up when you are no longer able to easily crank the film advance lever. This usually aligns with half the number of exposures the roll contains that can be seen on the film counter.
This is because every shot with the Nishika N8000 uses 2 standard 35mm frames. Most rolls of film will have either 24 or 36 exposures, which will be able to take 12 or 18 exposures with the Nishika N8000 camera.
You should then rewind the film back into the 35mm canister. To do this, flip out the film rewind knob and press the film spool lock button on the bottom of the camera. You’ll then be able to rewind the film.