Ruby Windows and Color Film

[Ariston]

Is it safe to use color film in cameras that use windows to advance the film?

 

[Dan Fromm]

Usually. If you have a camera that has a ruby window, ask it. Any answer you'll get here will be an irrelevant generality.

 

[railwayman3]

I've used colour film, slide and neg, in a 120 Zeiss Nettar occasionally, and for many years, with no problem. Bearing in mind that most B&W films are panchromatic and therefore, broadly speaking, sensitive to all colours of light, I don't think there is any differenc ein using colour to using a fast B&W film, with a camera with a red window.
(Just keep the window covered when not in use, and don't wind on in bright sunlight; I still have the original instruction leaflet which refers to both color and B&W and gives these instructions for winding on, )

 

[MattKing]

The red colour in those windows is either:
1) related to the fact that the really old cameras were used with orthochromatic film; or
2) for more modern cameras, which were used with colour and panchromatic black and white films, more of a historical artifact than anything else, although red may be an easy way to add neutral density.
It is the backing paper that supplies most of the protection.
EDIT: it is worthwhile to keep in mind that the older cameras were designed when films were a lot less sensitive to light

 

[abruzzi]

I’ve never had issues with my late-40s Voigtlander Bessa, but I only open the window long enough to advance he film, then I close it again.

 

[pentaxuser]

Matt probably has given you the right answer as he usually does. On the few occasions I have used colour neg in a camera with a ruby window I haven't had a problem. Mine was an Agfa Isolette I with a metal cover over the window which I use except when winding on but as Matt says it is likely to be the backing paper that gives the most protection

pentaxuser

 

[moto-uno]

Just got back from super sunny Mexico , with Provia100F loaded in my Welta Weltur (red window ) and all frames were fine .
So as others have said before , go ahead . Peter

 

[Ariston]

Thanks all.

 

[thuggins]

Good Gods, man! No one has ever used color film in a ruby window camera. It's madness I tell you!. <snark>

Of course you can use it. Orthochromatic film hasn't been common for around 100 years now. Manufacturers didn't stop making ruby window cameras because film was sensitive to red light.

The main issue is the frame size. 6x6 has never been an issue on any camera I've used (which is a lot) because the window is smack dab in the middle of the backing paper. For full frame (6x9) or half frame (4.5x6), I have had red flares in the corners as the windows are near the edge of the backing paper. A black felt gasket or making sure to keep the cover closed (if the camera is so outfitted) will help prevent this.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I've used ruby window cameras since the late 1960s, with panchromatic films ranging from ASA (ISO wasn't a term in use then) 120 to 400, and color negative and slide films from ASA 80 to 160. I don't recall ever having a spot, even with cameras sitting in direct sunlight on the ruby window. These were old box cameras that didn't have a means to close off the ruby window, and the very idea of doing so was outside my experience at the time.

I've also used always-open ruby windows in more recent years, and still never had a problem (though I don't believe I've ever gone above 400 speed in one). As noted by others, in modern films, the backing paper is opaque enough to trust. I've also used cameras where the filter was missing from the frame number window -- still without problems. It surely is possible to get a leak around the edge of the backing on 6x9. I've never had such a problem, but I've seen images on line with light leakage that would match up with the window.