Hello. Do you know what companies made 35 m.m. film cameras that had removable cassettes/backs in order so you can change the film before the film was over without the danger of damaging the film?
35 m.m. cameras with film cassettes/backs
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IIRC, there weren't many of these -- maybe only one model. The traditional PJ solution even as early as the days of Rolleiflex as a press camera was to carry two bodies, one loaded with B&W, the other with color, or one loaded with slow/medium speed film and the other with the fastest film available.
The Rollei 2000, 3001, 3003 featured little rectangle film backs, like a small version of a Hasselblad or Rolleiflex SL66. The 3001 and 3003 are rare in the USA market.
cameraquest.com/rol3003.htm
Leica R9 with film and digital back? Was there a dark slide or some other method to change backs mid roll? And Kodak Ektra rangefinder.
No. There was no filmback in the sense of this thread.
The film stayed inside the body as with any conventional film camera. What was exchangable was the standard back-door with its pressure plate by a back-door with integrated sensor accompanied by an electronics unit mounted like a motordrive.
https://www.imaging-resource.com/EVENTS/PMAS05/Leica/L/AR9_04.JPG
(Actually the lower unit contained also a winder, to cock the shutter)
The film stayed inside the body as with any conventional film camera. What was exchangable was the standard back-door with its pressure plate by a back-door with integrated sensor accompanied by an electronics unit mounted like a motordrive.
https://www.imaging-resource.com/EVENTS/PMAS05/Leica/L/AR9_04.JPG
(Actually the lower unit contained also a winder, to cock the shutter)
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Not '35mm camera' per se, but there were Medium Format cameras which had 135 film magazines which permitted changing of 35mm rolls. Bronica ETR, for example.
I have a 135N magazine (normal frame size) but there was also a 135W (wide format frame size, 24mm x 56mm)
A shortcoming, though, is the lack of very wide angle FL lenses, typically 40mm was widest (except for a later and not so commen 30mm FL.Fisheye (distorted view, not rectilnear)
I have a 135N magazine (normal frame size) but there was also a 135W (wide format frame size, 24mm x 56mm)
A shortcoming, though, is the lack of very wide angle FL lenses, typically 40mm was widest (except for a later and not so commen 30mm FL.Fisheye (distorted view, not rectilnear)
Mamiya Magazine 35 and Zeiss Contaflex Rapid, early Super and Prima models.
The Penti cassettes could be changed mid roll. Other manufacturers (eg Ansco) used a similar system. Exaktas had a knife inside that let you cut the film mid roll and remove the exposed part.
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I once saw a Polaroid back for 35mm. I think it was around 1990. I believe it involved type 669 film and a dark slide and you had to remove the entire Polaroid back and then replace the pressure plate back and load your shooting film. So not really a way to practically change films mid roll but certainly a curiosity of dubious value. Probably quite collectible today though.
There was a NPC Proback II Instant Film Back for The Canon EOS-1N https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photograp...s/EOS-1n/Accessories/CommandBackE1/index2.htm
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German spring-wind Robot cameras on through the Royal used cassettes.
I've opened the camera, snipped the film at the gate and removed the take-up cassette to process a partial roll.
One could easily load a different roll this way, in a pinch.
I've opened the camera, snipped the film at the gate and removed the take-up cassette to process a partial roll.
One could easily load a different roll this way, in a pinch.
It would be a hassle still. As you need to bring the counter again in synchronicity with the film. Or to count somehow else exposures you do, as type Karat/Rapid/SL cassettes depends on the counter to avoid exposing onto the pressure plate...
It’s not in the quite spirit of the OT, but Nikon made a back for the F that used 4x5 sheet film, and a similar one that used Polaroid.
A pretty ungainly setup, with prisms and an enlarging lens contained within.
A pretty ungainly setup, with prisms and an enlarging lens contained within.
There was a Polaroid back for Nikon FM/FE series cameras. I had one but never used it.
Some 35mm SLRs also had long roll backs with something like 250 exposures, like Nikon F-series, Oly OM-series and, I think some Pentax models like MX & LX. But, I'm not sure if they were removable mid-roll.
Some 35mm SLRs also had long roll backs with something like 250 exposures, like Nikon F-series, Oly OM-series and, I think some Pentax models like MX & LX. But, I'm not sure if they were removable mid-roll.
The Exakta accepts cassettes, and has an internal film cutter so you can shoot a partial roll, and then swap film.
Marty Forscher of Professional Camera Repair in NYC developed the NPC Polaroid backs for Nikon and Canon. http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/NPC
Here we got hints at makeshift solutions or some built-in solution as with the Exakta or Exa.
But still, the only really practical solution is a true film back, containing, the film, the counter and a slide.
And such was offered at only few models (from Adox, Mamyia Rollei , Zeiss-Ikon, as we established so far).
And with these I am not even sure on the counter ihn all cases...
But, for instance, before I would use my Contaflex with its two film-backs, I rather would use a Praktica or T70 with an additional body....
But still, the only really practical solution is a true film back, containing, the film, the counter and a slide.
And such was offered at only few models (from Adox, Mamyia Rollei , Zeiss-Ikon, as we established so far).
And with these I am not even sure on the counter ihn all cases...
But, for instance, before I would use my Contaflex with its two film-backs, I rather would use a Praktica or T70 with an additional body....
A key element to interchangeable backs is the darkslide. For example the Polaroid back for the Rolleiflex cameras has a darkslide, so it can be loaded with Instant Fuji film to make an exposure during the middle of a 35mm roll by swapping backs.
My understanding is that the Contarex backs had a retractable sheet that allowed the backs to be removed and changed (kind of a built-in dark slide). Not sure if the Contaflex backs worked the same.
Exactly the same; only the Contaflex mags were smaller.
... that sounds like a Yogi Berra saying...
I can show some pictures of how they work later tonight if anyone wants to see. I have a Contaflex with 3 backs.
Very nice. Did not know about that one. I guess ADOX and Kodak also had rangefinder models like it.
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