Replacing Red Window

Nathan Smith · Oct 17, 2007

Does anyone have a tried and true method for replacing a film-advance red window -- especially the red material to be used?

I know that this is usually just some red plastic heated and pressed into the hole ... would ruby-lith work for this? I've never actually seen ruby-lith, so I apologize if that makes no sense.

The only time I've replaced such a window was on an old Kodak folder. I was able to rob one off of a parts camera by heating it with a hair dryer and popping it out, then doing the same again to put it into the new one - but I don't have any more parts cameras with intact windows left!

Thanks,
Nathan

simulatordan · Oct 17, 2007

Hello Nathan,

I have an old folder ( Seafix 820 ) which needed the red widows replaced. I used some 'brown' plastic from an empty cider bottle. I've used this camera many times since and have left it loaded for months on end without problems.

Not an ideal solution perhaps but 'needs must when the devil drives' as they say.

Regards Daniel

Russ Young · Oct 17, 2007

nathan-
rubylith certainly works- have used it for three decades.
you might find a gelatin wratten 23a or 25 and cut it up as well.
remember, you want it dark enough to block most light (esp. if you use ASA400) but not too dark to see the frame number in less than great light.
russ

Nathan Smith · Oct 17, 2007

Thanks Daniel and Russ - good information!

Nathan

Steve Smith · Oct 18, 2007

Another option would be a piece of theatre lighting gel. Either from a local theatre or get hold of a sample book from a manufacturer of the gels.

Steve.

sun of sand · Oct 18, 2007

You could visit a local thrist store and pick up a brownie or something
I'd just spray a yogurt lid red and glue it in if it wasn't an expensive camera

I've saved a couple of those windows but who knows where

Akki14 · Oct 18, 2007

I was going to suggest the lighting gels. They come with a handy chart showing at what wave length it lets light through and how much (as a percentage).

Steve Smith · Oct 18, 2007

I have my Lee Filters sample book here in front of me.

I would suggest a No. 26 or No. 182 Bright Red or a No. 106 Primary Red.

Anything lighter may let in too much light and anything darker would make reading the numbers through it difficult.

Steve.

Nathan Smith · Oct 18, 2007

I've recently read that the red windows were most necessary when orthochromatic film (not sensitive to red light) was the primary film type and that now that most film is panchromatic (sensitive to all colors in the visible spectrum) the red window is really an anachronism - in more ways than one, I guess

If that's true, then I guess we don't have to worry too much about how well it filters the light. It also explains why some cameras I've owned had light green or orange windows and all worked about as well.

I think I'll stick with a red window anyway, both for safety's sake and authenticity, and maybe a little superstition.

Thanks for all the good ideas. I may start looking for some red filter samples.

Nathan

Bob F. · Oct 18, 2007

I think that green is (slightly) better than red these days. As said, film is (almost always) pan and our eyes are more sensitive to green than red so that would perhaps allow a darker green than red whilst still being able to read the numbers...

I suspect it is entirely academic though as one of my old cameras has a small gap in the window where white light gets in and it does not show any obvious signs of fogging (though I do cover the window with gaffer-tape between windings).

Have fun! Bob.

Replacing Red Window

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