Film negative numbers

Jessestr · Apr 20, 2014

Hi

I'm a little confused about the negative numbers on my film.
It always has the correct number above each frame (which is good)... but how can that even happen? Every time you put a roll of film in.. the length that you put into it is different of the previous and next roll.. Though the numbers are always correct and on the same spot...

Can someone explain me how this system works?

Many thanks

Jesse

Alan Klein · Apr 20, 2014

What kind of film? What kind of camera?

Jessestr · Apr 20, 2014

Just portra 400 with an M6.. (Just about every film I've used and camera.. always correct numbering.)

Prof_Pixel · Apr 20, 2014

You don't bulk load your 35mm film, do you.

markbarendt · Apr 20, 2014

Prof_Pixel said:
You don't bulk load your 35mm film, do you.

No he doesn't.

MattKing · Apr 20, 2014

If you are using factory loaded cassettes, the numbering will be consistent.

But if you examine several rolls, you may see some small differences with respect to where in respect to each frame the numbers are positioned. That is due to the variations in your loading technique.

cmacd123 · Apr 20, 2014

I know the Canon SLRs these days count the sprocket holes to advance the film consistently. And the Packing machines at the factory will place the numbers on the same place on each roll.

If you find that boring, snip a half inch from the tip of the leader of your next roll of film, and you will likely end up with the numbers ina different spot

Xmas · Apr 20, 2014

Some film won't have normal numbers.

Some bulk Forma has no rebate information.

Some survelliance does not stop at 36.

Cine has various conventions...

Jessestr · Apr 20, 2014

I finally found a roll where the numbers are a bit off. Was so confusing. All my negatives have the numbers in the same place. Probably luck. Another roll from another camera shows it was off.

MattKing said:
If you are using factory loaded cassettes, the numbering will be consistent.

But if you examine several rolls, you may see some small differences with respect to where in respect to each frame the numbers are positioned. That is due to the variations in your loading technique.

Gerald C Koch · Apr 20, 2014

The numbers are irrelevant. They are really only useful when matching the negative that corresponds to an image on a contact sheet.

AgX · Apr 20, 2014

Or to indicate an image when ordering a print.

peter k. · Apr 20, 2014

or ... reference to the notes you made when shooting...

NedL · Apr 20, 2014

I make notes about which ones I'll eventually print... with my bulk rolls the notes sometimes say "-1" when there is a frame before a new "1".

Loren Sattler · Apr 20, 2014

Jesse, while the film is loaded into the 35mm cassette by the automated film making machine, the edge markings are probably exposed by the automated equipment. This indicates the frame number and type of film. The film edges are not exposed in your camera. When you develop the film, you develop these exposures on the film edges revealing the frame numbers etc. You are probably very consistent with how you load your film, thus the numbers come out in the same position roll after roll.

I am guessing this was the nature of you inquiry?

winger · Apr 20, 2014

Gerald C Koch said:
The numbers are irrelevant. They are really only useful when matching the negative that corresponds to an image on a contact sheet.

This. I shoot with a few different 35mm cameras. The newest - Pentax PZ1p - always loads them the same so each roll is pretty close to the same. My others are non-electronic so the numbers are rarely lined up with anything resembling a frame. It's fairly normal to have 1A and 2 by the same frame with neither centered.

And Loren's answer is right on. The numbers and other edge markings are imprinted in the factory (hence the different markings from different brands, etc..). It's totally luck or consistency if yours end up the same on each roll.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 20, 2014

that's what youpaid the big bucks for

AgX · Apr 20, 2014

Loren Sattler said:
Jesse, while the film is loaded into the 35mm cassette by the automated film making machine, the edge markings are probably exposed by the automated equipment.

The edge markings are exposed in the process of perforating of a bulk 35mm roll.
The cassette filling operation is a seperate operation and done in a way that always the #1 marking will be where the first exposure is to be expected.

Gerald C Koch · Apr 21, 2014

The numbers are irrelevant.

I should have been clearer what I meant was that it doesn't matter what the numbers are or which number a roll starts with.

MattKing · Apr 21, 2014

One thing to watch out for though - a few cameras with built in winders wind the film right to the end as soon as you load it. Then, as you take your photographs, the film is wound back into the cassette, one frame at a time. The result? The order of the edge numbers is opposite to the order you take the shots.

Gerald C Koch · Apr 21, 2014

peter k. said:
or ... reference to the notes you made when shooting...

Many years ago I tried taking notes as related to each frame. I learned two things.
1. I found that it was taking longer to make the notes than to take pictures.
2. I never consulted the notes afterwards.

(Information such as the date, location, etc for a roll is kept with the contact sheet.)

Now other people may feel differently. It is something traditionally done in LF photography which is far more contemplative and slow. But I think that people who use smaller formats do not really make use of note taking.

Alan Klein · Apr 21, 2014

I wish they lined up like that on my Mamiya RB67 6x7 120 film. That film has two sets of numbering, one each on top and bottom. They always seem to shift and sometimes you get a choice of what number to use.

winger · Apr 21, 2014

Alan Klein said:
I wish they lined up like that on my Mamiya RB67 6x7 120 film. That film has two sets of numbering, one each on top and bottom. They always seem to shift and sometimes you get a choice of what number to use.

My P645N imprints data on the edge, just outside the frame. It includes the frame number. So I get 3 numbers to pick from on Kodak film. Fuji Acros only has one of its own, but they don't line up all the way through. I get 16 frames, but it's numbered to 18 on the rebate with Acros.

cmacd123 · Apr 22, 2014

Alan Klein said:
That film has two sets of numbering, one each on top and bottom.

120 film can be used as 6X9 (8 exposures) 6X6 (12 exposures) or 6X4.5 (16 exposures) when using the Red window numbers on the back of the film. The Mamiya 645 series only takes 15 to allow for slightly wider image spacing. the many 6X7 cameras allow for 10 shots but have no relation to the numbers on the backing paper. Newer idea is to use numbers from 20 to 40 on one side, and 1 -16 on the other to ensure that everyone gets at least ONE number on each image to refer to.

peter k. · Apr 22, 2014

yes, I've noticed that, with my 6x7, but didn't want to bring it up. It would sure be nice if they:

use numbers from 20 to 40 on one side, and 1 -16 on the other to ensure that everyone gets at least ONE number on each image to refer to

but doubt it will happen. ;-)

Film negative numbers

Jessestr

Alan Klein

Jessestr

Prof_Pixel

markbarendt

MattKing

Moderator

cmacd123

Xmas

Jessestr

Gerald C Koch

AgX

peter k.

NedL

Loren Sattler

winger

RalphLambrecht

AgX

Gerald C Koch

MattKing

Moderator

Gerald C Koch

Alan Klein

winger

cmacd123

peter k.

Film negative numbers

Moderator

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency