Nikon Reusable Cartridges?

[marcmarc]

Hi Everyone. So it came down to this: Either I try the bulk loading thing or I simply shoot less. I didn't think I'd be very successful with the former so I chose the latter. I purchased the bulk loader and will start purchasing the 100 ft rolls once all my regular film is gone. Now I mentioned this to a friend of mine who shot lots of film back in the day and he asked me what cameras I was using. I told him Nikon F3's. He said he had a bunch of re-loadable cartridges made by Nikon for their cameras and I could have them if he can locate them in storage. He said that he used to use them with his Nikon F but he seemed to recall that when he began using an F2 they didn't work. So is anyone here familiar with these items? Can they be used with an F3? It would seem to me they would, the film transport in 35 cameras all look the same and they are made to accommodate the same size cassette across manufactures. By the way, are these anything like the Kodak Snap Caps? Another photographer friend of mine suggested I try to find these as they are better quality and less likely for the top to pop off unexpectedly then the cassettes commonly available today for bulk loading. I looked into these Snap Caps and they seem to be pretty rare although I guess they appear on eBay from time to time.

 

[chip j]

The F & F2 have their own unique cartridges--they are not interchangeable. No cartridges were made for the F3, to my knowledge.

 

[shutterfinger]

I just love these product questions and there is no clue as to where the poster is so recommending a source is near futal.
Nikon F - film cartridge described on page 28 of http://www.cameramanuals.org/nikon_pdf/nikon_f.pdf
Nikon F2 - film cartridge mentioned http://www.cameramanuals.org/nikon_pdf/nikon_f2.pdf
Nikon F3 - http://www.cameramanuals.org/nikon_pdf/nikon_f3.pdf
Either of these will work in your camera https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=reloadable cassette&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
as will the ones in this search http://www.freestylephoto.biz/search?q=bulk+film+loader

 

[AgX]

By the way, are these anything like the Kodak Snap Caps?

There are basically two types of reusable type 135 cassettes:

-) the ones that function as standard cassettes, except that they got easy to open and close end cap(s). These either are screwed or snapped on.

-) the ones that have a sliding film gate, that only opens when used in the apt camera.
Such were made by Leitz, Wellard and Nikon.

 

[Jim Jones]

I've used OEM reloadable cassettes for Nikon F and Leica, and they are far better than reusing those cassettes from film companies or other sources which can be reused. OEM cassettes may not work well with some film reloaders. They are expensive, but should last a lifetime. I usually reloaded 100 feet of film into film maker's cassettes at one time, which would have required a big investment in OEM cassettes.

 

[ac12]

They were GREAT. Much better than any of the snap caps.
I "think" they were primarily for the motor drive, where opening the gate on the cassette reduced the film friction, thus less drag on the motor.
Unfortunately, it appears that Nikon gave up on the Nikon cassettes after the F2. Likely not enough sales to justify making it.

I was bit by the compatibility problem. I have a few F cassettes, but no F, only an F2

For your F3, it appears that you have to use the generic reloadable cassettes.

 

[John Koehrer]

The Nikon F cassettes need a twist open, removable back and won't work on cameras
with a swing open back.

 

[marcmarc]

OK, thanks for the replies everyone!