A film transporting mechanism for use in still cameras wherein a lever or wheel constitutes the input member of a planetary transmission. The sun gear or planet carrier of the transmission is held against rotation by a film scanning device during a first stage of rotation of the input member from its starting position to a fixed end position and while the input member rotates a spur gear or an internal gear by way of one or more planet pinions whereby the spur gear or internal gear rotates the takeup reel in a direction to collect the film. When the transport of film by the length of a frame is completed, the scanning device releases the sun gear or the planet carrier and arrests the spur gear or internal gear to thus terminate the transport of film while the input member continues to rotate toward its fixed end position and drives the sun gear or planet carrier. This enables the input member or a part which derives motion therefrom to perform one or more additional functions, such as the indexing of a multiple flash lamp holder and/or the cocking of a shutter or impeller, subsequent to completion of film transport by the length of a frame. The extent of movement of the input member from its starting to its fixed end position is independent of the angle through which the takeup reel must be rotated in order to advance the film by the length of a frame.