Jamming of Super 8mm cameras in the midst of a lap dissolve is quite common, most especially IF the dissolve (or superimposition) was begun within in the first 5ft or the last 5ft of a film's length. Never initiate a dissolve in the first 5ft or last 5ft of a film........there's NOT enough film slack, and the stress on the film and camera mechanism is great at this point. If the film is still in the camera....remove the cartridge, then remove the camera batteries (and/or shut off the camera). Reinstall batteries and try to operate the camera WITHOUT film in it. Hopefully, it should clear itself of the jam.

IF not.....and the camera doesn't seem to do anything....try pressing the lap dissolve mechanism switch again.....a couple times....IF still nothing....try tapping firmly but not too hard...on the side of the camera, using the palm of your hand.....and while depressing the trigger. IF the camera still does not function or clear the jam....then it is bound up internally and will need servicing to restore it to full function. The fix itself is minor...however....the labor to get to the mechanism and clear the internal jam is considerable.

I have seen NIZOs and YASHICAs (LD series) jam in their lap dissolve mechanisms this way....and CANON etc would be similar. I've freed up a CANON 1014E jam the way I mentioned it above...but...IF she still doesn't work....do NOT trying banging it hard or other roughhouse remedies...as you don't want to damage anything else (such as the viewing system, light meter etc).

Good luck,
Martin W. Baumgarten

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