To provide a film camera production method.

A leading portion 54 of a filmstrip 12 is draped across a midsection 26 of a camera frame. The camera frame has a film roll chamber 18 joined to the midsection 26. A free end 24 of the leading portion 54 is lodged in the film roll chamber 18 and a retention zone 66 of the filmstrip 12 is placed in engagement with a retention structure 70 mounted to the frame. The retention zone 70 adjoins the free end 24. The retention structure 70 is fixed to a prescribed position on the frame. The engagement of the retention zone 66 and the retention structure 70 locks the leading portion 54 against longitudinal travel toward the film roll chamber 18. The frame is transported and, during the transporting, the engagement of the retention zone 66 and the retention structure 70 is maintained. Following the transporting, the retention zone 66 is pulled off the retention structure 70.