Reefmaster woes...

[The Chairman]

Hey all...

Here is an E-Mail I just sent to Pioneer Research... whaddya think???

Dear sirs,

My ReefMaster is well over a year old, has not been abused, and is in DIRE need of help. I lost almost an entire roll to it not spooling and/or not rewinding correctly. I don’t think it’s me, as there was ONE good picture. After I finished the roll, I hit the rewind button, but it only did it for a second, and then stopped. I gently tapped the outside, and finally opened the back. Yep, there was still film visible! I closed it and hit the rewind button again, and it seemed to go a lot longer. These were NEW batteries just prior to the dive, and there was only ONE roll of 24 shot. Is there an upgraded camera for the housing??? I just recently invested in the external strobe, which is awesome, but doesn’t help me much when the camera malfunctions. What are my options??? I have a LOT invested, and not much to show for it!!!

:tease:

 

[TwoBitTxn]

I havn't had any trouble with it though. From all that I've heard about dealing with the factory I'd almost be willing to bet a nickle that they will send a replacement.

Tom

 

[The Chairman]

Hey Tom,

It took the first three negs and no more. I can see where the advancement wheel chewed up the third negative just a tad. It still looks like it should have advanced though!All of the other pictures were compressed into that third negative. The first pic was oof (Out of Focus) and the second was good. We need to dive this weekend to finish his science project, so I am trying to figure this out on my end first!

:tease:

 

[sactomags]

I had the same thing happen, as well as a problem with the strobe not firing once I attached it to the camera (it would work just fine on its own). I took it in to my local dive shop for the annual service (which was just under a year of ownership), and VIOLA, got a brand new camera, strobe and housing. I noticed that the "new" camera was also different from my old one, which seemed to have a glitch that the battery door didn't close quite right and perhaps affected the connection so that film would not rewind nor would the flash work.

Again, no problems since with the new one. Wonder if I should hope for the same when I take it in again for service???


Happy diving,
Margaret

 

[The Chairman]

They have still offered to look at the camera. After extensive testing with quite a few rolls of film, I have narrowed the problem. The film is advanced through a tractor mechinism that then pushes the film past the exposure chamber into a receptical. There is a post with one hook (to snag the film) and a plastic flap to hold the film against the post until it snags. The film appears to be stronger than the flap and so is not being caught by the hook.

We are in the middle of my son's Science Fair Project which has to do with baro changes under water. I have been able to get the camera to go to the 16th -18th exposure consistently until it jams. I feel compelled to at least finish this project before I relenquish my camera to factory... especially since I don't think it's under warranty.

Any fresh Ideas??? Even stinky rotten ones will be considered at this point.

 

[Ontario Diver]

Hey Pete....

If you bought the camera from a local store, take it back and explain. Then ask to borrow a camera. If they say no, ask for a reduced rate on a rental.

My LDS matches all guarentees. So, I could just return broken stuff, get a new one (or a rental, depending on problem/article) and they manage the manufacturer.

Good Luck.
(I could send some pictures of Brown and Green fish if you want. )

 

[TwoBitTxn]

The economy still needs stimulation. You could buy a new camera and while your at it pick up one for me for christmas.

Tom

 

[terrydarc]

...and I WISH it had just a teeny bit more automation on board - like a led with frame counter showing rewind, battery state, etc. Had pretty good luck with it other than my poor U/W photography technique. I wish also they'd use the newer lithium batteries.

But barring any changes from whoever in China makes the camera body, it sounds like the motor drive might hosed, maybe just not powerful enough to pull the film all the way through. Or else the switch for the rewind - I assume you tried hitting it once or twice after it rewound for so short a time. It's also faintly possible that the batteries weren't as good as they should have been - test 'em with a voltmeter and see if you get 1.5v out of each. I'd also load test 'em by putting 'em in a flashlight for 30 seconds or so - they shouldn't dim noticeably and still provide 1.5v afterwards.

Whatever it is, ought to be fixed by a replacement camera at somewhere near $80 if the LDS won't do it free. I really sympathize with lost shots, though, Doc.
Terry

 

[The Chairman]

Tom,

It is sad that the recovery is square upon my shoulders. We will be in recession a long time if that is the case!

Terry,

I do agree with you, and before I buy another one, I will research putting much bigger bucks into something better thought out.

:tease: