All that wasted film

[Doug A]

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FWIW here's a video about a trick I learned 50+ years ago for retrieving the end of the film from a 35mm cassette. 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Doug A

[Stuart Richardson]

Great trick! Putting the worst error in film processing (film sticking together) to good use.

[Tom R]

On 10/9/2022 at 4:09 PM, 250swb said:

So you seem to think that some work and some don't, I never realised that.

I've used the inexpensive metal film retriever and the more costly (but more predictable) and modern units. For a few dollars more, I would stick with any of the more expensive units that have two interleaved blades that are activated one then the other (after several "clicks"). 

[Pyrogallol]

I don’t quite understand all this need to retrieve the film leader, except on the rare occasion when you have wound it in by accident and want to reload the film. Normally if you take care rewinding you can feel the film coming off the takeup spool when you rewind and stop as soon as you feel it.

If you are using a commercially filled cassette then it is going to be ripped open to develop the film.

If it is a plastic reloadable cassette or a Leitz FILCA type then you can open it in the dark if you need to.

[pragmatist]

On 10/9/2022 at 2:19 AM, hirohhhh said:

@stray cat I'm definitely trying it next time. I heard about this technique, but it always sounded intimidating that there's a big chance I'll screw up something and expose the roll, but from you post it actually makes sense.

Just remember the lens cap and you are good to go. Set shutter speed to 1/1000th for more peace of mind but there’s really no need.

 

[Erato]

On 10/9/2022 at 6:55 AM, hirohhhh said:

Yesterday I went to the play with my MP (and my wife too) with the roll of FP4 already inside with just a couple frames shot. It was pitch black in the theatre so I had to sacrifice the entire roll and replace it with Delta 3200. I shot couple shots during and after the play and went home.

This morning we went to the local show with the kids. It was hot and sunny and so bright that I had to sacrifice another roll and put a fresh roll of FP4. It gets darker now and I still have to finish 2/3 of the roll.

We have plans for the evening, but I’ll have to put new roll of 3200.

One reason why I love medium format is because I can easily shot 10-12 shots in any occasion, but 36 is just too much for me.

How do you solve this? Multiple cameras or something else?

This might be help.

1. Shutter Speed Dial -- set to 1/1000
2. Lens Aperture Scale -- optimal setting where between F11 to F22 which complies with the 1/1000 sec during daylight scenes
3. ND filters could be helpful in some use cases

Edited October 19, 2022 by Erato

[plaidshirts]

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On 10/8/2022 at 3:55 PM, hirohhhh said:

Yesterday I went to the play with my MP (and my wife too) with the roll of FP4 already inside with just a couple frames shot. It was pitch black in the theatre so I had to sacrifice the entire roll and replace it with Delta 3200. I shot couple shots during and after the play and went home.

This morning we went to the local show with the kids. It was hot and sunny and so bright that I had to sacrifice another roll and put a fresh roll of FP4. It gets darker now and I still have to finish 2/3 of the roll.

We have plans for the evening, but I’ll have to put new roll of 3200.

One reason why I love medium format is because I can easily shot 10-12 shots in any occasion, but 36 is just too much for me.

How do you solve this? Multiple cameras or something else?

I recently traded cameras with a younger fellow, my M6ttl for his M3 and cash, and he told me there was a new roll of film in the M3, only a few frames in and that I could keep it and use the rest.

Not wanting to keep his memories from him, I began to rewind it, listened for the end to pop off the spool and felt the tension give, unlatched the bottom plate and handed him his film back with the lead out. I told him to remember the number on his frame counter, put it in his new camera and advance/release the shutter with the lens cap on until he was past that number.

He looked at me like I was Gandalf doing a magic trick, but very much appreciative. I guess I do have something to show for my gray hair after all! Gandalf the grey indeed.

Edited October 20, 2022 by plaidshirts