Film leader cut for EOS-1n

Hovig · Sep 3, 2013

Hi film friends,

I'm willing to try bulk loading and was wandering if I'll need to cut the leader of the film strip similar to the shape of boxed 35mm film, to load to my EOS-1n. Looking to the spool, it looks like a straight cut should work.
The same question goes to the Olympus OM-1n. Is there any risk of jamming the film inside the camera? Any advice form your experience?

Thanks,

Hovig

MattKing · Sep 3, 2013

I have a number of different OM bodies, as well as a number of different Canon EOS bodies. I use bulk film.

I've never tried a straight cut with the OM bodies. But my practice is that when I rewind my film I stop before the leader is fully inside the cassette, so that I can take off the end of the leader as a "mark" indicating that the film is exposed.

The narrow part of the leader strip I use with bulk film is much shorter (about 1 inch long) than the narrow part of the leader strip on factory loads.

Mackinaw · Sep 3, 2013

I've been bulk-loading 35mm film for years and just try to cut the film to roughly approximate the tapered leader you find on a regular commercial cartridge. I've found as long as the narrow end fits into the take-up spool, you'll be good to go. And this is with virtually all 35mm cameras, from Leica to Canon to Nikon, etc.

Jim B.

Terry Christian · Sep 3, 2013

I just started rolling my own bulk film to use in my collection of cameras, and I definitely suggest to cut a slightly tapered leader instead of cutting straight across.
Just this past month, I brought a bunch with me for a trip up to Wisconsin, and had cut them straight across. I found too late that my camera's take-up spool only accommodated the lower third or so of the leader, so I had to hastily borrow a friend's nail scissors and recut the leaders of all my rolls!

AgX · Sep 3, 2013

If the take-up spool acccepts full 35mm width I do not see any reason no to cut straight rectangular. (In theory rounded edges would be beneficial.)

But as long there is a chance the self rolled films might be used on a unknown camera one better should cut the leader approximating the industry standard to avoid what happened to Terry in the post above.

Dr Croubie · Sep 3, 2013

I've used a lot of bulk-loaded film in my EOS 3, and I've always just cut the end in as nice a rounded leader as anything that you'd see in a commercial film.
Completely unscientific, because I've never tried a flat-ended one and tested if it works, but for the 2 extra seconds per roll, why not?

250swb · Sep 3, 2013

The point about the film leader is so the film's sprocket holes don't have to engage both sets of take up teeth at the same time, especially if the film has any curve to it. Engage the lower set of gears with a conventional leader and the top sprocket hole will engage no matter what, but cut the film straight across and sooner or later the top will snag before the bottom is engaged. It isn't a disaster, unless you are trying to load the film quickly.

Steve

Poisson Du Jour · Sep 3, 2013

The shape of the 35mm leader is an historical anachronism; not worth worrying about at all. The EOS 1N will grip the film leader if it is placed in the correct position as indicated in the chamber, irrespective of whether the leader is the traditional pretty face or a slender shim. You could even get a giggle at how the 1N isn't fooled by an arrow-shaped leader.

Hovig · Sep 4, 2013

Thank you for your information, Steve's response was very interesting. What I understand, an angled cut should work well, based on Steve's information. I will try it that way.

wblynch · Sep 4, 2013

I m surprised there aren't leader cutters. Insert the end and press down, voila!

Well, maybe there were. Where can I get one?

AgX · Sep 4, 2013

But as indicated above:
What would be the difference between a straight and s-shaped cut? Both take me a second or so.
It is not that one would need a template or so.

AgX · Sep 4, 2013

wblynch said:
I m surprised there aren't leader cutters. Insert the end and press down, voila!

Well, maybe there were. Where can I get one?

There are of course those incorparated in spooling machines as in the small one from AP.

And in this photo from the Adox lab, the one in the center should be such leader puncher:
http://www.adox.de/Fotowerke/styled-2/files/kleinkonfektionierung.jpg

EDIT: It should be for the other end. But the leader puncher should look similar.

And if I remember right there was a template from Leitz which fixed the film at both sides and then the film was cut with a knife.
Or something like that...

Xmas · Sep 4, 2013

people who use bottom loaders need to use the longer pre 1971 leader

The Leica template for this ABLON is a Leica >>>GBP

benjiboy · Sep 4, 2013

wblynch said:
I m surprised there aren't leader cutters. Insert the end and press down, voila!

Well, maybe there were. Where can I get one?[/QUOTE
You make one out of a thin sheet of metal Aluminium (Aluminium) is good, copy the shape onto it off the leader of a factory rolled cassette, cut out the shape and file it down to size.

clayne · Sep 4, 2013

EOS 1N/V loading is idiot proof. The cameras won't care.

Poisson Du Jour · Sep 4, 2013

clayne said:
EOS 1N/V loading is idiot proof. The cameras won't care.

I wish the Pentax 67 was as idiot proof. Or the pinhole. It is a fumble-fret-fest. Never ever, ever had a film load problem with the 1N.

GarageBoy · Sep 17, 2013

I think the auto wind would take a full width strip

The Pentax 67 is idiot proof compared to less intuitive camera magazines
My dad's buddy loaded a mamiya 645 backwards and jammed it

Poisson Du Jour · Sep 17, 2013

GarageBoy said:
I think the auto wind would take a full width strip

The Pentax 67 is idiot proof compared to less intuitive camera magazines
My dad's buddy loaded a mamiya 645 backwards and jammed it

LOL! Tried loading a 67 in the dark or in the dark? Even non-idiots come unstuck.
But the 1N... it will load surely in whatever conditions prevail, even 2 in the morning with the rain beating down.

flatulent1 · Sep 17, 2013

GarageBoy said:
I think the auto wind would take a full width strip

The Pentax 67 is idiot proof compared to less intuitive camera magazines
My dad's buddy loaded a mamiya 645 backwards and jammed it

That sounds awfully familiar...

A friend borrowed one of my 645 Pro TL for a few months, got it back a month ago. He seemed happy with it, but I haven't seen the pictures yet. A few days ago I popped open the back, intending to load it for a weekend stroll. It still had film in it, loaded so the backing paper was facing the shutter. Things that make you go Hmm...

Dr Croubie · Sep 17, 2013

Poisson Du Jour said:
But the 1N... it will load surely in whatever conditions prevail, even 2 in the morning with the rain beating down.

I've got the kind of missus that is getting increasingly frustrated with me "stopping to take photos" (much like my dad was to my mum 20 years ago), stopping to change films is even worse, and the other day we were at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Backpack over my right shoulder, Bertie Beetle Showbag in the left hand, EOS 3 hanging on my Kirk SS1 strap, I managed to change films walking without missing a step or dropping anything, that camera couldn't be easier...

Film leader cut for EOS-1n

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency