Loading film into a Canon EOS 650/620/630 35mm analog camera

How to load the first generation of Canon EOS 35mm analog film cameras: the EOS 650, 620, 630 (sold as the 600 in Europe and Australia) and the pellicle mirror EOS RT. All these models are based on the same frame, so loading is the same for each.
All Canon EOS film cameras have motorised film loading and automatic rewinding. Two of the biggest problems with analog cameras are: 1) incorrect loading, so the film never winds on and doesn't get exposed; and 2) opening the back before rewinding the film, which exposes it to light and ruins the pictures. Automating the loading and rewinding solves these two problems.

[@jearneya]

Thank you so much!! It’s so useful!

[@bojanarezina2352]

thanks!

[@VonBromPhoto]

Welcome!

[@imani8261]

do you know why when i take a picture it just goes black and on the screen it says bc

[@VonBromPhoto]

Bc can mean that the battery is flat. Do a battery check to see if that is the problem.
Bc also comes up if the shutter is sticky. Rewind the film and open the back, look at shutter blades for black sticky bits. It’s easy to clean off.

[@onis]

So there is no way to turn it off besides removing the battery?

[@VonBromPhoto]

That's correct. Whenever the battery is in the camera the electronics are active. Removing he battery whenever the camera is inactive for a long period of time is good for a couple of reasons, the most important being to avoid damage from leaks.
I picked up a copy of the EOS service manual and the moment the battery is inserted the electronics are energised and the CPUs start booting up: yes, EOS film cameras have computers inside them!

[@MikeSowsun]

It’s also a good idea to remove the battery because the back lighting on the top LCD will often fail in such a way that the battery will drain quickly even in the “L” (off) position?

[@nadiachan315]

I;ve loaded the battery and film and it shows the icon that the film is inside but when I turn it to auto the display says bc, what do I do? my model is the Eos 650! thanks

[@VonBromPhoto]

The “bc” means batter check: the battery might be flat. Try a fresh battery.

[@stefansago]

How long does the battery last?

[@VonBromPhoto]

A long time - months - UNLESS you spend a lot of time playing with the camera! I recommend removing the battery when not using it for a week or so.

[@stefansago]

@@VonBromPhoto thank you! This is very helpful.