Box Tops for Camera Slots???

matthewm · Feb 2, 2021

I know this is probably a weird question, but I have a number of cameras with the insert on the back for the box top (you know... as a reminder of what film is in the camera). I've been trying to save my inserts in a little notebook pocket so that I can re-use them, but sometimes they get lost or damaged or wet or whatever and I end up tossing them.

Is there anyone out there that maybe makes these? Or is there a resource for these that maybe I could print my own and laminate them or something? They'd be most useful for my medium format cameras since they have multiple backs and I'm terrible at remembering what went where. Masking tape and a Sharpie is fine, I suppose, but having some re-usable inserts would be kinda fun.

Alternatively, I could start scanning mine and just printing them when I need them on card stock, but if someone has a resource for where I could buy maybe some pre-printed ones, that'd be kinda cool.

Thoughts?

Pieter12 · Feb 2, 2021

Ilford and Bergger films, at least, always come individually boxed. I would think you could cut something from a 5-pack box of Kodak or Fuji film that would do the trick, giving an indication of what is loaded. More of a hassle when you have a camera or back that has no box top or label holder, like a Leica or Rolleiflex. Then it's sharpie & tape time. Silver Sharpie and black tape if you want a nicer look.

AgX · Feb 2, 2021

EDIT:
I completely misunderstood the OP.
As I got no idea why writing something with a pen on a piece of cardboard is a challenge to someone.

In the long past such frames were offered as self-adhesive accessory, they might show up. Though I have never come such across.

You might cut&bend a frame from miniature brass U-profile and glue it to the back.

You might weld a bag from somewhat stiffer clear plastic foil on kitche bag-welder and attach it by doublesided adhesive tape to the back.

Write it on an appropriate piece of cardboard and push it into the flash-shoe.

The most simple way would be to attach a bright piece of adhesive tape that has got tack, but still can be taken off without much residue, as for instance some grey duct-tape and to write the film type onto it with a perrmanent marker pen.

voceumana · Feb 2, 2021

I few years back I made my own just by printing on card stock and cutting them out--I left them a little long to make getting them out easier. I followed the manufacturers' colors generally, but didn't copy their trademarks--i.e., yellow background for Kodak, green for Fujifilm, etc.

Any decent office supply store has or can get index card stock in letter size; you can usually run it through the manual feed slot of your printer. Adjust the printer settings for thick stock--usually in the printing software.

MattKing · Feb 2, 2021

The Pro-Pack boxes for Kodak film also have them - they are the flaps just under the lid.

mshchem · Feb 2, 2021

It's really amazing that Kodak and Fuji don't incorporate, 5, perforated end tabs into the 5 packs of film. I've been saving these for years. Ilford supplies an end flap, used to be two. I've discovered that when Ilford redesigned the package, not only did they make one flap black, but they also eliminated, on the inside of the box, competitors chemistry developing times. Fortunately I've saved a few of these as well.
I remember when you got a leaflet in every box, telling you everything you needed to know. Now we are forced to rely on the damned Internet for everything.

You want to get an extra 2 dollars, put the film into painted aluminum canisters.

Sirius Glass · Feb 2, 2021

I save the box flaps and for the Hasselblad backs that came without the holder, I bought and attached after market holders. That is not an option for my WideLux F7 for example.

Auer · Feb 2, 2021

I just take a picture of the camera next to the film with my cellphone.

Pieter12 · Feb 2, 2021

I haven't tried this yet, but I have considered getting self-adhesive binder label holders and cutting one down to fit a bit of the side panel of a film box and attaching it to the film back. They're not expensive and unobtrusive.

BradS · Feb 2, 2021

I just use the end flap from the box that the current roll of film just came out of...but this is totally obvious. I must be missing something?

voceumana · Feb 2, 2021

BradS said:
I just use the end flap from the box that the current roll of film just came out of...but this is totally obvious. I must be missing something?

Film is available in bulk packs that don't provide the individual box for each roll. And some manufacturers provide different packaging without box ends.

mshchem · Feb 2, 2021

B&H has started selling Kodak 35mm films in individual boxes again, at least Ektar, for years everything came from bulk packs, with sticker labels.

matthewm · Feb 2, 2021

Thanks y’all. I just didn’t know if maybe someone made a pack of these. I can always just cut some out of card stock and write on them or what have you. Just thought it’d be nice to have some decent reusable ones that I could hang on to.

MattKing · Feb 2, 2021

For my cameras that don't have holders, I've tried a few things, and velcro has played a meaningful role.

CMoore · Feb 5, 2021

I just write - 100 b&w - on a piece of tape....... or whatever the appropriate info is.

Maris · Feb 5, 2021

I use a square bit of card the same size as a film box top but I print (fine pen, small print) film types on the edges of this card. Three of those edges are hidden by the flanges of the box top holder so the only film type visible is the one in the camera. The other side of the little card allows for four more film names. And one edge always has MT on it to tell me there is no film in the camera.
I fell into this trick when experimenting with a variety of bulk load films where there are no box tops.

MattKing · Feb 6, 2021

I save and re-use my box ends.

AgX · Feb 6, 2021

Maris said:
And one edge always has MT on it to tell me there is no film in the camera.

Is there a special meaning behind MT ?

MattKing · Feb 6, 2021

AgX said:
Is there a special meaning behind MT ?

I'm guessing it is phonetic - "MT" = "eMpTy"

AgX · Feb 6, 2021

Stupid me... I love you Americans for this phonetic approuch, hardly known here.

mooseontheloose · Feb 6, 2021

I seem to recall someone doing exactly what you are proposing, but for the life of me I can't find the post. I'll do a little more digging.

Here's the question though - if you are always losing the original box tabs, what makes you think you won't lose these nicer, user-made ones as well? (no shade intended, this is a problem I often run into).

FWIW, I also travel with a small roll of plain washi tape. It sticks when you need it to (especially useful for 120 film when the sealing tabs go missing) and comes off easily as well. I use for writing film notes on film, and for keeping track of what's inside any particular camera, especially the ones that don't have any place to put the film box tabs.

AgX · Feb 6, 2021

What is a "plain roll of washi paper" and why does it stick?

I got a not-plain roll and it is intended for paper restoration, it got an adhesive layer and cannot be written on before monting.

ChristopherCoy · Feb 6, 2021

Is this a serious conversation? Are we discussing how to preserve cardboard?

https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/365475/Avery-Self-Adhesive-Laminating-Sheets-9/

DWThomas · Feb 6, 2021

Those of us who are cheap -- uh --"frugal" -- make pseudo-laminated cards using transparent packaging tape over cardstock. I have some exposure charts I use with my pinhole cameras that were made that way. For some of my other cameras I have made little strips with various films that I use printed on cardstock that I can accordion fold and slip in the accessory shoe, Those I don't bother to laminate,and yes, one says 'MT'! (I seldom put accessories in the shoes of my folders or TLRs.)

mooseontheloose · Feb 6, 2021

AgX said:
What is a "plain roll of washi paper" and why does it stick?

I got a not-plain roll and it is intended for paper restoration, it got an adhesive layer and cannot be written on before monting.

Washi TAPE is made from washi paper. It's similar to masking tape but the sticky bit doesn't leave a residue. You can stick it and unstick it as many times as you like, but the more you do, the less tacky the tape will become (so, less durable than gaffer's tape, for example). It is VERY popular with scrapbookers, bullet journal enthusiasts, and lots of other crafty people. Here in Japan you find it everywhere - not just stationary stores. I like the MT brand (in this case, MT stands for masking tape) because it's good quality compared to what you can find in dollar stores. People get the plain colours to write on (useful for making headers in notebooks and whatnot) but there are plenty of cute and artsy designs as well. Probably TMI for what you were asking, but you know...

I never thought of using it until I was in a situation where I had a loose 120 roll and no way of keeping it closed. I asked at the guesthouse I was staying at if they had any tape and they handed me some washi tape. After that, I always keep a roll in my camera bag - useful for repairs, for attaching a filter, for keeping things closed, etc. and not permanent. It's really small and light so it's quite useful.

Box Tops for Camera Slots???

matthewm

Pieter12

AgX

voceumana

MattKing

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mshchem

Sirius Glass

Auer

Pieter12

BradS

voceumana

mshchem

matthewm

MattKing

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CMoore

Maris

MattKing

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AgX

MattKing

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AgX

mooseontheloose

AgX

ChristopherCoy

DWThomas

mooseontheloose

Box Tops for Camera Slots???

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