Minox 8x11 film avaiability and slitters?

[RichSBV]

I don't know why but I've had this terrible urge lately to start using my old Minox B. Camera seems to work okay but oddly enough, it uses film

Okay, not a big problem. After a little searching I ordered a few rolls (carts) and soon I'll be ready to go...

This brought up some questions for me though.

Does anyone know a source of Minox film that is cheaper than the $10 to $15 I've found it for? And something other than Minox own Minopan. I prefer B&W by the way.

I have been trying J&C as they list Delta 100 and T-Max but it hasn't been in stock in a long time and I also haven't been able to get an answer from them about when it might be back in stock...

Next comes film slitters. I have hundreds of feet of 35mm in Tri-X and Plus-X here begging to be split and used in the Minox.

I tried contacting Ray Pepalis who advertises a spliiter on subclub.org but it seems he's disappeared. There's another tiny slitter available in Europe but only seems available through ebay and paypal, not my favorite chioces...

Does anyone here split film? Is there another available splitter or will I have to make my own? If I had the time, I would be shooting.... A splitter that also does 16mm would be great as I might want to use my old Minolta 16's too.

And film carts. Are there any sources for emplties?? I've searched the net and can't find anyone selling them. I'd sure like to get a dozen or so to 'play' with. At $10 a pop for loaded ones, it's a bit expensive just to experiment...

Thanks for any help offered...

 

[mongo141]

Sub mini film

Hi, Goat Hill I think it is, at Subclub.org sells 16mm . I don't know if he has any smaller stuff. I shoot a Minolta 16 II on occasion so I have been looking for a slitter myself with no luck it so looks like I am going to have to build one. If you find a source other than that fellow on evilbay with the crappy feedback let me know. Dave

 

[htmlguru4242]

Film slitters can be buuilt pretyty easily with a razor blade and some hardware, if you're willing ot work in the dark.

I don't know about the minox cartriges, but I know that youy can just re-load the ones that you have when they're out of film.

 

[resummerfield]

I've seen the "China Boy" slitter on ebay for about $30, but I've heard it's not very accurate? I've also seen one in Europe that was exceptionally nice, with a take-up spool, that sold for HUNDREDS of dollars. Did you look at the slitter on http://www.slonet.org/~mhd/2photo/slitter/slit.htm? This is the design I'm working on.

For developing, I've tried the Minox-sized Nikor reels, without much success. I think this way may be better--http://www.geocities.com/markhahn2000/developing_minox_film.html

DAG Camera still repairs the Minox--http://www.dagcamera.com/

 

[RichSBV]

Yes, I've seen Goat Hill. But they only sell film, not the crats. Although buying film from them might solve half the problem. I'll look into them again soon.

A slitter with a take-up spool sounds nice, but for 'hundreds' of dollars, I go out to the shop and make my own

I've also seen those developing instructions. Sounds like it might work. 30 odd years ago I used to tray devlop the film. Very easy with such a tiny strip. This time around I'm going to try the reel sold by J&C. I hope anyway? They didn't answer my e-mail so I'm just hoping the order for the reel goes okay? Enough people here seem to deal with them so I'm not worried yet.

The slitter at slonet.org is pretty much the same as the one sold by Ray. The construction plans are great and it would be the one I'd build if I can find the time. My goal is to be able to slit and load the film in a Harrison tent which makes things much easier for me.

Nice to know some people are using Minoxes.

I won't have any empty carts until I shoot some film and try the developing so it may be a while. I'd still like to get some extra carts to play with. It's a shame. Back in the old days, this stuff was easy to get ahold of.

Maybe with luck, someone here will know of another available slitter and maybe carts? We can hope...

Oh, and thankls for the info on DAG. That may come in real handy ;-)

 

[derevaun]

I made a slitter with a handfull of nuts & bolts and an old box camera, based loosely on this design.

My contraption is even simpler: I use a long screw tensioned with a coupling nut in the exposure chamber; some nuts hold a blade in position, which is adjustable. I just crank the film through (mine is for slitting 120 into 127 & 16mm).



The same thing would work for slitting 35mm to 9mm; something like an Argus C3 or Zorki would have a strong enough winding mechanism to pull it through. In my experience the blade needs to be at 45 degrees or less to the film path--closer to perpendicular causes a rough edge with some chipping.

But DIY is false economy if you don't enjoy the journey. The Goat Hill thing at subclub.org looks like a pretty good deal to me.

 

[Justin Low]

You can purchase empty cassettes from Gerald McMullon in the UK. He ships worldwide for a reasonable price. See Dead Link Removed

No relation to him, other than being a satisfied customer.

 

[RichSBV]

Interesting links. Thanks.

There seem to be many designs around for slitters. I don't have a 35mm I would sacrifice at the moment but it's feasable.

One design I saw and liked was a simple 35mm cassette to 35mm cassette with the blades inbetween. I could see a similar design being competely light proof and used like a daylight loader.

For that matter, I recently bought a Watson 35mm bulk loader. After seeing it, I doubt I'd ever use it for it's intended purpose. It just might make a great daylight film slitter though ;-)

 

[nworth]

Beside JandC, BHPhotoVideo lists Minox film as available. The stock they list is mostly Agfa, some of it emulsions that Agfa had not made for some time at the time of its death. There are probably other sournce as well.

The China Boy slitter is crude, but it works. All a slitter really is is a pair of razor blades spaced 8.5 mm apart, a smooth rod to draw the film over, and some supporting structure. You could probably build one with a little thought and a rough sketch.

 

[RichSBV]

Yes, I bought my new film from B&H. I tried, and waited, and am still waiting to hear from J&C as they list all their Minox film as not in stock... So I got the Minopan (Agfa) to try. But even $10 a roll is steep for 'playing'.

The problem with making a slitter is two-fold. First is simply time. Way too many projects and most of them are actually important in real life (house & such). This could be overcome by stealing a bit of late night time.

Second problem is design. Sure, it be as simple as that 'China Boy' (which I've only heard it called here?). But when you sit down and start thinking, the wheels keep going... Right now I'm favoring a setup with two 35mm canisters facing each other with the blade inbetween. Then a light proof cover and truned by a crank similar to a bulk loader. It all seem to easy to build with the help of a little black felt. But it doesn't stop there. Why not make the blades adjustable on locking screws? After all, it should do 16mm as well. Then why not have it roll onto something better than another 35mm cannister?...

That's why I'd just like to buy one and be done with it ;-)

Overall, the first thing is to find out if the camera still works. Then I have to find the developing info for the film and D-76 which is pretty much all I use and have mixed here. When I see everything working, then I'll think seriously about making a slitter. And that should be some fun as most small projects can be. Wasting some 35mm film is no problem at all ;-)

I think I could again enjoy using a Minox loaded with some Plus-X or FP-4 and at least I know how to deveop those films ;-)

 

[RichSBV]

Just an update...

We're trying to locate Ray Pepalis to find out about his slitter. Seems his e-mail addresses are bouncing...

J&C got back to me about the film. T-max has been discontinued. That's a shame as the only other 400 speed film. But they'll have the Delta 100 in stock in March.

Good news and bad... I found cassettes at SWS Security for a good price. Bad news is, I bought him out ;-) He's got quite a nice selection of Minox gear and has a service person to fix the mechanical Minoxes reasonably and quick. And Steve seems like a really nice guy! You can check out his stuff at:
http://www.swssec.com/minox_accessories.html
He has some nice cameras too...

Hopefully Ray will get back to me about the slitter. If not, it'll be homemade I suppose.

If anyone finds another source for cassettes and slitters, please let us all know!

 

[RichSBV]

Another little update for posterity...

I did buy the "China Boy" slitter. I would describe it, but I feel I should watch my language in public. Not well made is a considerable understatement. It may slit film? Accuracy and consistency would not be associated with this device... And it only slits one strip from a 35mm roll. You can easily get two, so this wastes half the avaiable film. As made, you can run the film through a second time to recover the other side. It's just wasted...

I would not recommend the CB1 slitter to anyone unless they have a curiosity like mine ;-)

To this point, I've just ordered cassettes from SWS (who does get more in as needed) and film from Goat Hill. Slitting may come in the future when I get the time to make my own...

 

[tkluck]

Fellow in England makes something called the Zipslip. Makes a batch then sells them on ebay. It is what the CBI slitter should have been in the first place. Works.
Also sells them direct:
john.birkby@eidosnet.co.uk

The genuine Minox slitter is a thing of beauty, but for that price you can afford to just buy the film.

Nothing works for developing Minox film like the Minox daylight tank. There is a Jobo reel avalible for minox, but you can easily get a Minox tank (ebay) for that price.

http://www.photo.net/bboard/forum?topic_id=1561

 

[RichSBV]

No one ever did get in touch with Ray...

Luckily while I still clould, I managed to pick up both the ZipSplit and a Minox developing tank.

The ZIpSlit (or is it ZipSplit?) is made very well and should do the job. I would say it's slightly overpriced for what it is, but it will work as advertised and is shipped fast & packaged well. Can't complain!

Haven't had the chance yet to try the developing tank. Life just won't leave me alone long enough it seems... Although I did squeeze in a couple of 8x10 negs... With a little luck I'll get to the 8x11 ones soon...


Overall, for all the aggrevation, it really is just easier to buy the film from Goat Hill...

 

[Justin Low]

Rich, if you'd like, I have a few spare cassettes and films for the Minox. PM if interested. Cheers!

 

[Gerald Koch]

For developing, I've tried the Minox-sized Nikor reels, without much success.[/URL]

J&C sells a reel. Looks like it is based on the Jobo reels.

 

[edz]

J&C got back to me about the film. T-max has been discontinued.

T-Max has NOT been discontinued. Due to lack of demand its currently not in production. Should some shops be prepared to place an order the film can be quickly back in the program...

Right now the films on offer by http://www.8x11film.com (the company that is behind the effort with MINOX GmbH to produce these films) are mainly higher resolution, slower films. This is with MINOX, however, not a problem as one can handhold a MINOX at shutter speed normally considered impossible.

The best solution if you are keen on playing around with different emulsions is to get a slitter. The MINOX branded slitter is really the best. Its unfortunately quite expensive but the cheaper solutions are not really options. The Zip-slits, China Boys etc are not solutions and designing a good and reliable slitter is less than trivial. Most of the homebrew siltters I've seen are liabilities.

 

[edz]

J&C sells a reel. Looks like it is based on the Jobo reels.

Yes, its based upon the Jobo 1501 reel but has been modified in a joint effort by MINOX GmbH and http://www.8x11film.com/ to handle MINOX negatives. The 8x11film.com reel (made using CNC machines and finished using hand tools) is the first reel that has correctly worked with 8x11 film. Previous attempts by Honeywell (Nikor), Kindermann, Durst and others to make 8x11 reels failed. The 8x11film.com reel works well and has for the first time provided a good basis for processing C-41 and E-6 at home--- prior to the reel all color lab processing was done using special custom machines.

 

[jandc]

T-Max has NOT been discontinued. Due to lack of demand its currently not in production. ....

Sounds like the definition of discontinued to me.

 

[edz]

Sounds like the definition of discontinued to me.

No. Discontinued means that you can't place an order. If you and/or Mr. Böddecker are prepared to place a modest order then there is a reasonable chance that the order could be filled. Cartridges are in production, the machines are well maintained and Kodak is delivering film. The film has been fully tested and production runs of TMY have occured in the past. 8x11film.com and MINOX GmbH are quite flexible and I have little doubt can and would respond to market demand quicker than you can say !@#.
I honestly don't, however, see a need for TMY (400 T-Max). I've handheld a MINOX A (IIIs) with Minopan 25 (APX-25) indoors and gotten wonderfull results. There is enough latitude in Delta 100 (especially using HRX-2 developer) that I don't really see a benefit from TMY.. and if the conditions are really wild.. like wanting to film (covertly) in a dark and dingy club.. then I'd grab for something more like Delta 3200 or Kodak TMAX P3200. These films, however, are ill-suited to standard MINOX film packaging and are so special purpose that only one-off slitting makes any sense..

One question.. looking at your Web ( http://www.jandcphoto.com/ ). Why is it that you've been out of many MINOX films and developers for months and months? Loads of products that are hardly out of stock and available from many other dealers and distributors...

 

[jandc]

No. Discontinued means that you can't place an order. If you and/or Mr. Böddecker are prepared to place a modest order then there is a reasonable chance that the order could be filled. Cartridges are in production, the machines are well maintained and Kodak is delivering film. The film has been fully tested and production runs of TMY have occured in the past. 8x11film.com and MINOX GmbH are quite flexible and I have little doubt can and would respond to market demand quicker than you can say !@#.
I honestly don't, however, see a need for TMY (400 T-Max). I've handheld a MINOX A (IIIs) with Minopan 25 (APX-25) indoors and gotten wonderfull results. There is enough latitude in Delta 100 (especially using HRX-2 developer) that I don't really see a benefit from TMY.. and if the conditions are really wild.. like wanting to film (covertly) in a dark and dingy club.. then I'd grab for something more like Delta 3200 or Kodak TMAX P3200. These films, however, are ill-suited to standard MINOX film packaging and are so special purpose that only one-off slitting makes any sense..

One question.. looking at your Web ( http://www.jandcphoto.com/ ). Why is it that you've been out of many MINOX films and developers for months and months? Loads of products that are hardly out of stock and available from many other dealers and distributors...

Once again ed you know everything there is to know. I forgot this from the last time we chatted. Foolish me. You even speak English better than I do. Wow!

Complements of Mr. Webster:

Discontinue:

To break the continuity of : cease to operate, administer, use, produce, or take.

Nowhere does it say it can never come back again. It means production has ceased.

Enough of you and your foolishness. You're back on the ignore list.

 

[edz]

Once again ed you know everything there is to know.

I hardly know everything there is to know but I know what I know.....

You even speak English better than I do. Wow!

I'd surely hope so.

Complements of Mr. Webster:

Discontinue:

To break the continuity of : cease to operate, administer, use, produce, or take.

Nowhere does it say it can never come back again. It means production has ceased.

Then most all of the film and paper products that you sell under the Adox brand--- and not just--- are, in your mind, "discontinued" are they not?

Production, however, of MINOX films has not ceased. Kodak 400 T-Max (TMY) is still being coated and cut-down by Kodak. Kodak, in contrast to some of your Adox branded films, continues to have TMY films on the coating schedule. The machines to slice and dice them into MINOX cartridges are still maintained and ready-to-run at the drop of an order. Place a comparatively small order and within a month or so and you can have factory fresh (or any of a number of films that have proven to be suitable) MINOX TMY... Its a just-in-time business.

Nowhere does it say it can never come back again. It means production has ceased.

Has Wendy's discontinued hamburgers just 'cause they don't make them untill a customer orders one?