Are there any SLRs that will put a timestamp in my film rebate (not image area)?

BHuij · Mar 10, 2023

I know a lot of point & shoot cameras from the 90s could burn a datestamp directly into the image area of the film. But when I borrowed a friend's Pentax 645N a few years ago, it stuck a bunch of, essentially, EXIF data (exposure settings, timestamp, etc.) in the rebate of the film. Easy to read, doesn't show up when I print the photo. Absolutely perfect.

Any 35mm or medium format SLRs that will do this? I'd settle for a datestamp, but the more info it can record, the better.

cowanw · Mar 10, 2023

some Contax will write between the frames.

JerseyDoug · Mar 10, 2023

A Nikon F6 can print the date, time and other EXIF data either within the frame or between the frames.

JensH · Mar 10, 2023

cowanw said:
some Contax will write between the frames.

... like the RTS III.

wiltw · Mar 10, 2023

Some cameras have date stamp function in an optional removeable databack...Olympus, Nikon are both examples. Then it is a matter of finding one, since this option is decades old.

xkaes · Mar 10, 2023

wiltw said:
Some cameras have date stamp function in an optional removeable databack...Olympus, Nikon are both examples. Then it is a matter of finding one, since this option is decades old.

I've never seen a databack that prints anything outside the image area. Anyone know of one?

Huss · Mar 10, 2023

My F6 does it, but it is so teeny tiny... the Hassleblad H1 is much better:

plummerl · Mar 10, 2023

xkaes said:
I've never seen a databack that prints anything outside the image area. Anyone know of one?

The Contax GD-2 data back (I have it and the Contax G2) will actually do it two ways.

First is to imprint between the frames, the time, date, exposure data (EV comp value, shutter speed and estimated F-number), exposure mode and counter number.

Second is to store the information in the data back. When the film is rewound, all the exposure data is imprinted on the first two (skipped) frames.

ic-racer · Mar 10, 2023

F5 also:

BradS · Mar 10, 2023

I think the MF-18 data back for the Nikon F3 writes between frames.

BHuij · Mar 10, 2023

For the first time in my life, I find myself interested in owning a Nikon

It's a shame the bodies that do this seem to be basically flagship models and well out of my impulse purchase price range. I didn't even bother to check the price on the Contax stuff. Saw the brand name and figured it was expensive

Seems like the Olympus OM-10 had some versions with a date back of some sort. Need to see if that prints on image area or not.

MattKing · Mar 10, 2023

Here is the portion of the OM Sales Information file that deals with the data backs.
http://omesif.moosemystic.net/om-sif/phototechnicalgroup.htm
Some of the info explicitly says the info is within the picture area. In others it isn't specified.
In some cases, the last year available is 2009!

snusmumriken · Mar 11, 2023

A date back was available for the Nikon FE, perhaps also for the other small Nikons. I don’t know where it puts the date.

Philippe-Georges · Mar 11, 2023

BHuij said:
For the first time in my life, I find myself interested in owning a Nikon

It's a shame the bodies that do this seem to be basically flagship models and well out of my impulse purchase price range. I didn't even bother to check the price on the Contax stuff. Saw the brand name and figured it was expensive

Seems like the Olympus OM-10 had some versions with a date back of some sort. Need to see if that prints on image area or not.

There is a budget— and environmentally friendly alternative, brand independent, light in weight, extremely flexibel, multi language, no batteries, found everywhere, and might last for ever; but, as a downside it must be carried as an extra and takes a little physical effort to use: Bic and paper (and a fine felt pen to write on the film cassette)...

BradS · Mar 11, 2023

BHuij said:
For the first time in my life, I find myself interested in owning a Nikon

It's a shame the bodies that do this seem to be basically flagship models and well out of my impulse purchase price range. I didn't even bother to check the price on the Contax stuff. Saw the brand name and figured it was expensive

I'm relatively certain that date backs were made for every small format nikon that had an electronically controlled shutter. For sure, date backs were made for the Nikon FE, FE2, FA, FG, F3, F4, F5, F6, maybe even the EL? There was a date back for the FM2 as well but it needed a synch cord. Oh, and then there are all of the later plastic fantastic autofocus cameras too! Nikon offered date or data backs for many of them and they're all pretty inexpensive today. Nikon seems to have offered more than one model of date/data back for several of the Pro and advanced amateur cameras. The trick is to do some research to figure of which ones write info in between the frames.

I've just discovered that there are two that do so for the Nikon F4 - which is pretty cheap these days.

There's even a data back for the lowly Nikon FG ... and it goes to year 2100 !

Huss · Mar 11, 2023

BradS said:
There's even a data back for the lowly Nikon FG ... and it goes to year 2100 !

Bless their optimistic hearts!

Maineiac · Mar 11, 2023

I use a Canon EOS 5 QD (a2e outside of japan) that puts the date and exposure info outside the picture area. the year only goes to 2020 though.

ic-racer · Mar 11, 2023

If on a budget, I suspect on could hack the databack of an inexpensive Nikon n75-QD and move the imprinting display module off the image area, though it is only a DATE back. No camera information imprinted.
The reason I think it could be easily moved is that it projects the numbers to the film from few millimeters away, it is not touching the film or interfering with the pressure plate; it is set back behind the pressure plate and projects thorough a tiny rectangle in the pressure plate.

Mick Fagan · Mar 12, 2023

The MF-18 for the F3 places either the date or a number, ascending (or descending as well I think) in-between the frames. The MF-18 is designed to work with the MD4 motor drive attached, but you can use the data back with or without the motor drive attached. There is a lower part on the MF-18 back which connects to the contact points on the motor drive, but you can operate the camera easily with or without the drive attached.

I've used the MF-18 data back many times without the drive attached, but with the drive attached it is better ergonomically.

Edit:

Nikon suggested that the MF-18 data back could only be used with the MD4 drive attached, their reasoning was to ensure the data imprint was truly in-between the frames.

BMbikerider · Mar 12, 2023

BradS said:
I think the MF-18 data back for the Nikon F3 writes between frames.

I was about to say the same! Plus the f6 does as well. As the F3 with MF back does, it will be a good guess the F5 will and possibly the F4 as well

Nitroplait · Mar 12, 2023

Nikon F80S can imprint shooting data between frames (not to be confused with the F80D or N80QD).

ic-racer · Mar 12, 2023

Nitroplait said:
Nikon F80S can imprint shooting data between frames (not to be confused with the F80D or N80QD).

I did not know that existed! Probably very rare.

gijsbert · Mar 12, 2023

For medium format the Fujifilm GA645 can print info below the frame as well, date+time or date+exposure.

klop · Mar 12, 2023

Nikon F4 with the MF-23 Data Back.

Are there any SLRs that will put a timestamp in my film rebate (not image area)?

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