Canon EOS 3 help needed for a newbie! Dashed line that keeps blinking on and off

[sk201020]

Hi! I'm a big newbie to film cameras so I need some help. 😞 I have been reading the manual for it as well but I am still so confused. 

My canon EOS 3 has this dashed line that keeps blinking on and off (pictures provided below) and it won't even let take a photo. 

  

Is there something wrong with how the film is loaded? I did put a new film in like a few weeks ago, but then the battery died right away. I finally got to replace the battery and turned it on today- and this happens. I always take photos in the auto mode (still learning about all the nitty gritty film stuff). What does this mean and how can I get rid of it? Thank you so much for your help in advance! 

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

EOS 3, released 1998. If you are referring the line below the EV indicator, I'm thinking it looks like film transport.  

Let me see if I can reach out to confirm.

[FloridaDrafter]

Rick, my "knee jerk" observation is the film hasn't advanced or has failed to load. The icon looks like a film roll to me and the dashes are the film, LOL!

@sk201020, if my observation is correct, the pickup spool may have missed the tag and needs to be re-done. It's been a while since I loaded film 🙂

Newton

[FloridaDrafter]

LOL! We all posted at about the same time.

Newton

[wq9nsc]

Those are the "film transport bars" and indicate that the film has not been loaded properly and is not advancing.  Try removing and reloading the film making sure that the leader is engaged with the take up sprocket teeth.

With the film properly loaded and the film back closed, the film will advance and 1 will appear in the middle lower box indicating the film is ready for exposure of image #1.

Rodger

[shadowsports]

Thanks Rodger!

[BurnUnit]

When loading (or reloading) your film, pay particular attention to the direction in which the film take-up spool rotates when you cycle the film advance lever. (Never mind . . .)

[jrhoffman75]

No advance lever on that camera. As others have stated, film hasn’t been properly loaded into takeup spool. 

[BurnUnit]

Thanks for the clarification. If I'd looked a little closer at the pics the OP attached I might have noticed that. Don't think I've ever even seen an EOS3 in the wild before.

No wonder I'm the only one to make that suggestion. 😕

[jrhoffman75]

EOS 3 had Eye Control Focus. Very temperamental. Did not work well if someone wore glasses.