Canon AV-1 How to Load Film

Loading film in a Canon AV-1 is supposed to be very simple. Assuming you know how to open the back film compartment, you simply have to insert a roll of film, and pull the leader part, which goes into a slot in the take-up spool. The secret to quick and skilful threading is to look for an arrow on the take-up spool. This arrow points to a slot where the leader part of the film goes.

Make sure the perforations lines up with the sprockets, and the film sits flatly across the exposure chamber. Then take a couple of blank shots by pressing the shutter release button and film advance lever, until the counter shows zero.

Here is the threading marker arrow on the take-up spool, which points to the correct slot.

For general-purpose photography a 200 ASA film roll usually works fine, however you need to set the film speed dial to 200.

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