120/220 canisters

MCB18

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Hi all! I’m currently cutting down the massive roll of Aerochrome I got, and a few folks asked for 120-width film. I have been looking at ways to protect the film from light that can be re-used when the roll is finished. Unfortunately, I don’t have a solution for that. I use aluminum foil to protect rolls now, which cannot be saved for re-use. I know that some companies use black cans to protect 120/220/127, but the only canisters I can find are already branded, so don’t particularly want to use them for rolls I am selling . Does anyone know where to get these canisters? Are they even still made? Or is there someone who just has a massive stockpile selling them off?
 

Hunter_Compton

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3D printing would be an option. Designs for one and two chamber canisters can be found here:

120 film container by mfazio_science

Carry two 120 rolls of film with you. Need a place to hold your film after you've exposed it. Use this little film container.
www.thingiverse.com

120 film container by HSB

A container for 120 film rolls.Will just hold a 120 film roll in paper. Add a F-22 O-ring (28mm ID, 3mm thick) to the threads on the box and it should be water resistant.Inspired by http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:113911Uploaded a new version with slightly thicker walls to make it easier to print.
www.thingiverse.com

The material cost would be minimal, probably more depending on if you source them from a service like Shapeways or Craftcloud3D.
 

reddesert

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When I carry rolls of 120 film around, I try to remember to bring a opaque foil ziploc-style bag, like the kind that some food is packaged in (for example, dried fruit). Or the foil bags from coffee beans, although those aren't as neatly recloseable.

You can buy bulk packages of similar bags at various places, search for "resealable foil bag" or "resealable mylar bag," and so on. They are inexpensive in quantity.
 

ivan35mm

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Hunter_Compton said:
3D printing would be an option. Designs for one and two chamber canisters can be found here:

The material cost would be minimal, probably more depending on if you source them from a service like Shapeways or Craftcloud3D.
Click to expand...

Having these 3D printed through a web-based 3D printer like the above mentioned or even Xometry might not be worth it. The best bulk price I'm seeing right now is between $5-$10 per holder (for both bottom & top pieces) when ordering 10+ canisters. (Adjusting material, infill and layer thickness to the lowest specs)

An option for sure, but if you know someone with a 3D printer, you can get these printed for much cheaper
 
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MCB18

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I have thought about that, but unfortunately I don’t have a printer, and don’t know anyone who has a printer, so I can’t really make these economically.


I did actually buy some with that intention, however even the black ones aren’t fully opaque. Maybe it’s fine, but I would still rather have something that completely blocks all light.
 

BrianShaw

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I don’t want to be “that guy” but curiosity has me… isn’t the backing paper sufficient? In all of my years of roll film use I’ve never needed a lightproof tube or bag.
 
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MCB18

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BrianShaw said:
I don’t want to be “that guy” but curiosity has me… isn’t the backing paper sufficient? In all of my years of roll film use I’ve never needed a lightproof tube or bag.
Click to expand...
Generally, you are advised to put any exposed 120 in a dark place right after you take it out of the camera. But with films on a clear base, like Aviphot, you need to be very careful handling the roll in room light. If you aren’t, you could risk ruining the film through severe edge fogging. And this is apparently doubly true with Aerochrome and HIE, you have to keep those in a light proof container at all times, and load/unload in very dim light. I don’t actually know if Aerochrome and HIE are more susceptible to it than normal aerial films like Aerocolor and Aviphot, but they’re expensive enough that I don’t feel like testing it…
 

blee1996

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I also have those black plastic canisters for 120 film, bought within the last 10 years. But for the life of me, I cannot find any ordering information to point out the source.

Another wild idea: how about those mylar/aluminum lined ziplok bags for electronic devices? They should provide both light and air tightness.

RE the need for container: it is critical to have an outer container for 120/220 roll film, both to keep moisture and light out. That's why most good wrapping are made from metallic paper for plastic. I had some rolls of very old Orwo color film that's in aluminum canisters. And I got decent results out of them after so many years.
 

DWThomas

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Years back I got some containers from Freestyle that were made by Maco. They still show a limited stock -- but I suspect $1.99 per is expensive retail packaging! I keep thinking some sort of plastic "mechanical tubing" and those soft plastic caps used on lawn chair legs and such could do something useful if one could find the right match, color, and diameter. But where one would start the search is way out of my (aging) area of expertise!
 

MattKing

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DWThomas said:
But where one would start the search is way out of my (aging) area of expertise!
Click to expand...

How about the plumbing supply section of Home Depot?
 

Sirius Glass

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MsLing

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This aluminum can looks nice. It's about $0.5 in China. Maybe you can find on Aliexpress.
 

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BAC1967

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MsLing said:
This aluminum can looks nice. It's about $0.5 in China. Maybe you can find on Aliexpress.
Click to expand...

I have some very old pill canisters like that. They fit 620 but slightly too small for 120.

When you buy new film it comes in a foil wrap that can't be re-sealed. I often carry cut sheets of foil to wrap exposed film in.
 
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MCB18

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Not looking for that, just looking for single roll containers, not big ones like this. these will not be for my personal use, they’re for film I sell.

MsLing said:
This aluminum can looks nice. It's about $0.5 in China. Maybe you can find on Aliexpress.
Click to expand...
I did actually find this, but I have no idea how the dreaded T word will affect the price, or even if they’ll change, so I’d rather not order from China at the moment if I don’t have to.

I have seen that, but again, it already has branding unfortunately.
 

Nige

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MCB18 said:
these will not be for my personal use, they’re for film I sell.
Click to expand...

Everyone missing this point.

I use Mini M&M containers but only for physical protection. I have a few black ones that came with J&C film years ago but I don't assume they are complete opaque either.
 

MsLing

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MCB18 said:
I did actually find this, but I have no idea how the dreaded T word will affect the price, or even if they’ll change, so I’d rather not order from China at the moment if I don’t have to.
Click to expand...

Try centrifuge tubes? They are way more cheaper.
 

DWThomas

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MattKing said:
Grey


How about the plumbing supply section of Home Depot?
Click to expand...
Actually, Lowe's was the first place I looked before I wrote the post above. Of course I was just doing it on their website which doesn't permit any insight on opacity. (I personally prefer opaque, dark color containers.) I was thinking polyethylene or PEX tubing, but what little I saw was all in fancy colors that I suspect might be somewhat translucent. Then there is still the issue of what to use for end caps, at least dimensionally compatible ones. (Ha, could use copper, start a new fad "only $9.99 each ..." or maybe "only $15.79 with free roll of 120 ..." )
 

Dan Daniel

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I bought some unmarked canisters on Ebay and it turns out that they were sold by this guy-


He told me that he had found a supply and had too many. You might write him and see if he still has a source?

You might also look into box makers. Here's one in the UK where you size it out (you want box #2). Something like that and a heavy aluminum foil should work well. No idea what a reasonable minimum number might be for such an outfit.

Custom Foundation Boxes Packaging | Printed & Wholesale UK

Order custom foundation boxes in Bulk. Makeup boxes are also available at wholesale rates. Print and design these boxes online. Shipping is free to your doorstep.
healeypackaging.co.uk

Oh, US company-

Box Proof | Printing | Packaging

Choose our custom lipstick boxes to Elevate the Packaging and Presentation of Your Lip Products. With their Exceptional Quality and Customizable Features.
boxproof.com
 

reddesert

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I think most things like pill containers or PVC pipe (unless really black) are not going to be opaque enough. Some people have looked at the opacity of PVC pipe because they want to use it (in larger diameters) to make Phil Davis BTZS developing tubes for large format.

I'm not sure how much a roll of Aerochrome costs (presumably not cheap), but understand the need for individual roll packaging and to keep costs down. I know I mentioned it already, but IMO, truly opaque foil or plastic bags will be hard to beat for economy, if one can find them. I think the problem with the cheaper foil bags that one finds, are that they aren't heavy enough gauge. Finding suppliers that rate the thickness of the bag would help. The foil bags that coffee comes in are opaque (I tested with a light). Many antistatic electronics bags are not really opaque, although I did google up a supplier (Protective Products) that rated them for light transmission. The black bags that photo paper is packaged in are opaque, of course, but I don't know where those come from. Something like these might work (no first hand experience): https://www.amazon.com/Press-Zip-Heat-Seal-Resistant-Resealable-Container/dp/B08CXLLJ6P
 
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