Film box end holder/reminder needed

MattKing · Apr 2, 2010

Somewhere on APUG there is a mention of this - I'm sure of it!

I really like my Mamiya C series TLRs (C330 and C220), but sometimes I don't finish a roll. I also have a bad habit of dry firing the camera, and then forgetting to re-set the counter.

Does anyone know where I could obtain something I could add to the camera that would allow me to insert the film box end to remind me what is in the camera?

I don't find that the film reminder dial on the side works for this (something about an unreliable operator) and I'd rather not replace the camera bodies with the C330F (or is it the C330S?).

Thanks in advance

Craig Swensson · Apr 2, 2010

find an dead SLR, pull one off that back, glue to camera or even better glue to self adhesive vinyl then stick this on the back. This is what i have done on my autocord, works for me.
regards
CW

2F/2F · Apr 2, 2010

Piece of masking tape and a Sharpie. The solution to nine out of 10 photographic problems. I prefer blue painter's tape, myself.

wildbill · Apr 3, 2010

there was a guy here who made a bunch and gave them out a few years ago, they had peel-off adhesive on too. he gave me a couple but I can't find them.

MattKing · Apr 3, 2010

Thanks for the suggestions.

Hadn't thought about cannibalizing an old SLR - that is definitely worth considering.

The masking/painter's tape only works if you retrain the photographer - and you know how hard that can be !

One of the reasons I like the film box end holder is that I am in the habit of flipping the box end over to show the blank reverse side - that tells me that a camera or film magazine is empty.

I have a vague recollection that someone here on APUG was making holders to fit on older Hassleblad magazines.

EDIT: thanks wildbill, for reassuring me that my memory wasn't completely faulty

ndrs · Apr 3, 2010

I have an old, unused Hama memory holder here. It's for 35 mm, but if you think it would solve the problem, PM me your address and consider it yours. You have to replace the adhesive patch though, as it's showing signs of disintegration from old age.

Rick A · Apr 3, 2010

My film doesn't always come with a box, so I just clip the wrapper and tape it to my camera, or write on a slip of paper and tape that on.

mikebarger · Apr 3, 2010

Some of you guys use more than one film, I didn't know anything was still around besides Tri-X in 120...

Mike

jp498 · Apr 3, 2010

I trim the box end and slide it into the flash shoe on my TLR.

Ira Rush · Apr 3, 2010

I too, have the same problem at times. Can't remember what I have in my Nikon F/F2, or some of my Hasselblad backs especially those that the "film tab" holder is broken.

My solution... Removeable labels. Avery size 5418, or the much cheaper Staples 166165.

Stick them on, peel them off, super simple, does the trick.

I have attached two word "doc" templates, (I use for both 35mm and 120) feel free to use them, edit them, to your needs.

Check out the labels at "Staples", they are small and as I said "removable"

Hope this helps

Q.G. · Apr 3, 2010

I don't mix that much that i need reminders often, but when i do, and i don't have a film box end, i too use masking tape and write whatever needs written on that.
Quick, easy and cheap.

benjiboy · Apr 3, 2010

MattKing said:
Somewhere on APUG there is a mention of this - I'm sure of it!

I really like my Mamiya C series TLRs (C330 and C220), but sometimes I don't finish a roll. I also have a bad habit of dry firing the camera, and then forgetting to re-set the counter.

Does anyone know where I could obtain something I could add to the camera that would allow me to insert the film box end to remind me what is in the camera?

I don't find that the film reminder dial on the side works for this (something about an unreliable operator) and I'd rather not replace the camera bodies with the C330F (or is it the C330S?).

Thanks in advance

Hi Matt,your right there was some discussion about this a year ago and I think that one of our members in the UK Steve Smith has a Lazer cutter makes them out of plastic with self adheasive backs, perhaps if you contact him and give him the size you need for 120 film box ends he can help you . (there was a url link here which no longer exists),

Hikingman · Apr 3, 2010

List all of your film in excel-along with any rolls loaded in a camera by type. (That's my backup reminder). It's really simple.

As a backup, I keep an inventory of film on the shelf in an excel spreadsheet, and within the list, each type of film and what camera it is in, if loaded. Much of the info. can be cut/paste for updates on new film added to your supply.

I'll send you a sample copy of the file if you are interested in using the file. Send me an email address and request. You must have Excel on your computer to open/use it.

-John

davidbivins · Apr 4, 2010

I don't know if they still do it, but when I ordered some gaffer tape from findtape.com, they sent a sample pack of "spike tape," which is basically really thin gaffer tape. I use it to label what film's in the camera, and (for 35mm) to label my index number (or date) on a completed roll. I know it's out of your process, but I just wanted to give a shout out to a great deal that I found that's been a big help. The tape used for audio mixing desks is also really good for this. Like one of the posters above, I often shoot film that didn't have a box end to put into the back of my Hasselblad or Mamiya or various TLRs.

flatulent1 · Apr 4, 2010

I tape the box flap to the back of my camera with clear (!) packing tape. Very nice, doesn't leave any adhesive residue behind. I buy the heavy weight stuff as it's not as fragile. When that roll of film is finished I either reload with the same film, or leave the camera empty and remove the label.

MattKing · Apr 4, 2010

Thanks to everyone who replied. Lots of good ideas here.

I wonder if Steve Smith is feeling bored...

Steve Smith · Apr 5, 2010

MattKing said:
Thanks to everyone who replied. Lots of good ideas here.

I wonder if Steve Smith is feeling bored...

Not too bored! I still have some of these in a drawer at work. I will count them tomorrow and let you know what I have.

They are quite easy to make and are made out of scrap material so I don't want to be paid for them and the postage cost is negligible too.

Matt: You have a P.M.

Wildbill: If you want some more to replace those you can't find, send me a P.M.

And if anyone else wants some, send me a message.

Steve.

Ross Chambers · Apr 5, 2010

2F/2F said:
Piece of masking tape and a Sharpie. The solution to nine out of 10 photographic problems. I prefer blue painter's tape, myself.

Yep, that's somewhat like the method pro cinematographers (or their clapper/loaders) use. You must have seen a photograph of someone more important (usually the director for irony's sake) posed beside a motion picture camera with a piece of tape with writing on it across the magazine. Keep it simple.

Regards - Ross

darcher121 · Jan 2, 2015

Film Reminders

I know this is an old post but was very bored over the festive period and came up with another way.
I've used all the other methods in the past to great effect but wanted a tidier way of doing it without sticking a large plastic square onto my old camera.

I scanned in some film box tabs, shrunk them in size on the laptop and printed them onto sticky labels.
Cut them out of the labels and stuck them onto cheap hot shoe covers. About £4 for 10 off that well known website.
Voila! I keep them in a clear bag along with a couple of blanks using plain white labels in case I buy and use films I haven't scanned in yet. They get scanned in when I get home.

Nice and neat, and keeps the hot shoe clean!
A fiddly job getting the stickers to the right size, but as I said, I was very bored!
See attached photos.

AgX · Jan 2, 2015

I did not even know that there is something as a hot-shoe cover. (It makes less sense than those covers for an additional PC-socket. Well, maybe with modern, sealed cameras in sandy environment.)

I only knoe about those eye-piece covers (for long time exposures) that can be stored in the hot-shoe.

Ken Nadvornick · Jan 2, 2015

darcher121 said:
Film Reminders

Welcome to APUG...

Now that's a really cool idea! What a great way to introduce yourself. Such a cleverly useful tip.

:w00t:

Ken

Alex Muir · Jan 2, 2015

AgX said:
I did not even know that there is something as a hot-shoe cover. (It makes less sense than those covers for an additional PC-socket. Well, maybe with modern, sealed cameras in sandy environment.)

I only knoe about those eye-piece covers (for long time exposures) that can be stored in the hot-shoe.

The later Nikon SLRs came with a hotshoe cover and one of those eyepiece covers. I've never seen the type that is stored on the hotshoe. Was it a Canon product? I like the mini film labels. Even the original fitted holders on the back look quite messy. The label on top looks good.
Alex.

AgX · Jan 2, 2015

I consider that reminder useful too. But, are users of flashes less oblivious?

I use semipermanent stickers, that yield several advantages. But, they need a plain surface. Many cameras have quite rough coverings.
That flash-shoe solution can be applied with nearly all cameras. Leaving that use of flash issue aside, the more I think about it, the more I like that idea.

(Yes, those eye-piece caps to store in the hot-shoe were from Canon. But because I use a flash it went to the camera bag/case where it likely gets lost. Later Canon models had a cap fixed in the pad of the shoulder strap.)

Jim Jones · Jan 2, 2015

Tags for luggage can hold film data as well as addresses.

MattKing · Jan 2, 2015

Ken Nadvornick said:
Welcome to APUG...

Now that's a really cool idea! What a great way to introduce yourself. Such a cleverly useful tip.

:w00t:

Ken

I agree!

Film box end holder/reminder needed

MattKing

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Craig Swensson

2F/2F

wildbill

MattKing

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ndrs

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Rick A

mikebarger

jp498

Ira Rush

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Q.G.

benjiboy

Hikingman

davidbivins

flatulent1

MattKing

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Steve Smith

Ross Chambers

darcher121

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AgX

Ken Nadvornick

Alex Muir

AgX

Jim Jones

MattKing

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Film box end holder/reminder needed

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