35mm Film Without a Canister

Dylan Simel · Mar 5, 2016

First post here but I really need your guys help.

I bought some soviet era film on ebay (images attached) and it came to me in a current usable state with my 35mm. The film is expired, which isn't an issue, and wrapped in black cardboard paper to block out light. IT is just the film rolled without a canister.

What I need is a way to get the film into a 35mm film canister so I can use it with my 35mm. I live in Brooklyn so would love to get someone in New York to take care of it for me rather than buying some equipment that I will only use once + I don't have regular access to a blackroom.

If anyone knows of any place that could help me out in New York that would be amazing, if not a direction to look would be helpful as well.

Cheers,

Dylan

Sirius Glass · Mar 5, 2016

Welcome to APUG

AgX · Mar 5, 2016

What is missing is what we call the "cassette".

That what you bought was a so-called "re-fill" pack.

You won't need some special service, But

-) a cassette that one can take apart (eg. "reloadable cassette)
or
-) a standard cassette were a short end of film is still sticking out

-) a piece of sticky tape

-) room that you can get absolutely dark (eg. a inner bathroom with a towel at the floor in front of the door)

I leave it at others to describe the rest. (depends how that refill is wound...)

Arctic amateur · Mar 5, 2016

You could for example go to BH and get one of these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/86473-REG/Kalt_NP11137_1_35mm_Cassette_For_Bulk.html

Then in complete darkness:

open the cassette (twist the top cap)
take out the spool
unwrap your film (remember, complete darkness)
tape one end of your film to the spool in the cassette
wind your film onto the spool
stick the spool into the cassette, allowing a bit of film to stick out of the felt gate
replace the top cap

Complete darkness is hard to come by, most apartments don't have a suitable room or closet. A changing bag (a bag made of lightproof cloth, with openings for your hands) is an alternative.

shutterfinger · Mar 5, 2016

So you go to Adorama, B&H, or some other camera store and buy some reloadable film cassettes Dead Link Removed and a roll of scotch transparent tape. You can open the empty cassette in daylight but the film must be handled in total darkness. Load the cassette(s) as stated in post 4.

AgX · Mar 5, 2016

A fresh cassette is very useful to look how the spool is orientated to the cassette casing!
This is important when sticking the film to the spool.

One should expect the refill wound that way that the end part is at the outer.

Dylan Simel · Mar 5, 2016

Thanks everyone. From what it seems this is something that I would have to do myself as regular film processing labs don't have this capability.

The only reason I would like someone else to take care of it for me is the lack of a darkroom type space in my apartment but I am just gonna have to create that space and knock these out.

I will let everyone know how it goes.

THANKS

AgX · Mar 5, 2016

If you got a small appartment with small windows: Aluminium foils does wonders...

Over here outer roller blinds are common. As ours were not truly lightight I waited till night. Worked perfect.

Sirius Glass · Mar 5, 2016

Buy a darkroom bag such as:

A steel development tank
Hewes steel reels [save yourself grief and buy these, not another brand]
Clothes pins [cheaper] or film hanging clips
Nylon line to tie to the shower head, string the clothes pins ==> to hang film to dry
Chemicals:

Kodak XTOL developer, 1 liter
Stopbath with indicator
Fixer
PhotoFlo

Graduated cylinders for measurement
funnel
Four 1 liter bottles for the chemicals
Several rolls of black & white film

bdial · Mar 5, 2016

A closet or other room without windows will work. Wait until dark, turn out the lights in whatever adjacent room, close yourself in the closet and proceed.
If that won't work, cover yourself under heavy blankets on your bed with the lights out (at night, also) and load the film.
I've used this method many times in hotel rooms and such when I forgot a changing bag.

If you have a room mate they may think you're weird, but that's ok, lots of people think film lovers are weird , they will get used to it.

If handling this film for loading + subsequent processing will be a habit, a changing bag will give you portable darkness you can use anywhere anytime.

And, welcome to the club!

likemarlonbrando · Mar 5, 2016

Come visit Bushwick community Darkroom on Troutman St in Bushwick, we can help you!

ambaker · Mar 5, 2016

For loading film, re-rolling film and other dark activities. (Film related only guys). I use our bedroom closet at night with the lights off in the bedroom and the closet. I did pick up a set of infrared goggles that came with some video game off the bay, but have not yet grid them with film. The seem to be able to have sufficient resolution and they are an over the head goggle. So as long as the LEDs emit no visible light and there are no light leaks from the video displays it may make darkroom life a bit easier. I think I picked them up off the bay a few years ago for like $50. I think they are cheaper now. .

ambaker · Mar 6, 2016

How many rolls are we talking anout. As long as it isn't more than a few. I will be happy to roll Them for you. I have the nifty widget to fish the leader out of the expended roll and a number of cassettes I could give you. You pay your postage here I will pay it back to you if you live in the us. Private message me if you are interested

Rudolf Karachun · Mar 6, 2016

Yes, this is absolutely correct. In Soviet Union film used to be sold not in in the cassetes. We Roll it in the cassetes by self. And actually no darkroom nessesary for this. I did it at night with lights of with film and my hands under the thick bad blanket.

AgX · Mar 6, 2016

Re-fill packages existed in different parts of the world. In most different forms!

Chan Tran · Mar 6, 2016

You are going to have to do it yourself or buying film already in cassette. Someone offered to do it for you but only for the rolls you already have not future rolls. I think the labor cost to hand load them in cassettes would be more than any savings by buying film without cassettes.

frank · Mar 6, 2016

Easiest (not cheapest) solution is to buy a changing bag and some reloadable cassettes. $20-25

Worthwhile if you plan to keep getting film this way.

35mm Film Without a Canister

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