Is there a trick to getting the lid off Arista 35mm film continers?

gone · May 23, 2015

This may qualify for one of the stupidest questions here, but I often find it nearly impossible to get the lids off the plastic canisters that 35mm Arista EDU film comes in. They don't have the usual press on tops like Tri-X, they have press IN caps, and there's nothing to get your finger under to pop it off. Sounds ridiculous, but for some reason I have a heck of a time getting to the film inside, and was wondering if anyone had any tips on this.

I tried twisting the cap on top, but there isn't much to get a grip on, and it doesn't work anyway. Tried squeezing the canister at the top in the hope the top would pop off, but it just makes the top hang on that much more. I got this one off by using a knife, but that is high risk, and at some point more than the top is going to come off. Like my finger.

rjbuzzclick · May 23, 2015

This is really funny...I had the same experience a month or so ago. I'm planning on switching back to Arista EDU in 35mm (I use it in 120 and 4x5) so I bought a couple of rolls to play with before I order a 100' spool. I couldn't believe how hard it was to open the canister. I eventually had to resort to a butter knife under the lip to pry it off. I'm glad it wasn't just me!

horacekenneth · May 23, 2015

I use a pair of hefty needlenose pliers on the bottom of the canister, grip and twist away from the bottom. No hope of re-using it though.

Ricardo Miranda · May 23, 2015

momus

For the benefit of those not in the US, could you post a pic of said canisters?
I suspect they are the same as Foma, but I would like some confirmation.
Thanks!

gone · May 23, 2015

Sure. Looks like this

I've had excellent results w/ the EDU Ultra 100 in Mic-X full strength by the way rjbuzzclick. Rodinal is nice too, but the Mic-X full strength is the bomb.

cliveh · May 23, 2015

A bottle opener perhaps.

Xmas · May 23, 2015

The ones this side of pond remove easy with nails from first three fingers, maybe yours (cassettes) are different.

Ricardo Miranda · May 23, 2015

They are Foma.
Here it goes: grab canister in your fist, place index finger on one side of lid and the thumb on the opposite side. Press with thumb on the side of serrated lid and up it goes!
To me they are easier to open than the ones from Koda: I don't need 2 hands to open the Foma canisters, one is enough.

cmacd123 · May 23, 2015

I have noted a variation in the effort from one to another, normally my thumb nail can get a grip on one of the serration and push straight up.

rjbuzzclick · May 23, 2015

momus said:
I've had excellent results w/ the EDU Ultra 100 in Mic-X full strength by the way rjbuzzclick. Rodinal is nice too, but the Mic-X full strength is the bomb.

Thanks for the recommendation. It's been a couple of years since I've shot AristaEDU in 35mm. I like it in Rodinal for larger formats. I shot a test roll of 35mm (400@800) in Rodinal and was happy with the results.

Sirius Glass · May 23, 2015

cliveh said:
A bottle opener perhaps.

Xmas said:
The ones this side of pond remove easy with nails from first three fingers, maybe yours (cassettes) are different.

cmacd123 said:
I have noted a variation in the effort from one to another, normally my thumb nail can get a grip on one of the serration and push straight up.

Any or all of these work for me, but one can always use a BFH to do the job.

Arklatexian · May 23, 2015

Would a "church key" work? While it probably would distort the container, at least you might could get it open.....Regards!

Sirius Glass · May 23, 2015

oldtimermetoo said:
Would a "church key" work? While it probably would distort the container, at least you might could get it open.....Regards!

Either end of a church key would work, but I like them for cans and bottles of beer. :munch:

gone · May 23, 2015

I think I'll try the church key idea right now.....It worked great. Thanks! I don't plan on shooting much these days, but I learned the hard way to always bring a spare roll of film "just in case", so along w/ the spare roll goes a bottle opener into my side bag.

horacekenneth · May 23, 2015

Oh I thought you were talking about the metal canister that the film is rolled inside of, didn't realize we were talking about the plastic protective one. Yeah I just pop it off with my thumb.

R.Gould · May 24, 2015

No Problem getting the top off, just push up eith your thumb and off it pops, easy peasy, certainly I find it easier than Ilford or Kodak

Is there a trick to getting the lid off Arista 35mm film continers?

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