Testing a 35mm film camera

Taz777 · Aug 13, 2019

I've got a a couple of new (old) 35mm film cameras now. Without any film loaded the basic functions work fine. However, I want to test out that the film advance mechanism and shutter cocking works without wasting a lot of film.

Is the easiest way to run a roll of 35mm film through one camera and then manually rewind it but not all the way into the cartridge, and then reuse the same exposed roll in the other cameras?

Ko.Fe. · Aug 13, 2019

Hard to tell without knowing cameras. Are they motor operated or manual?
If I'm into real checking of how it works and it is manual advance, rewind, I'll remove the lens and make marks on each frame while shutter is open on B. This will show if film advance is working correct (frames are whole and spaced).

Kino · Aug 13, 2019

Not a good idea; too easy to screw up and make false assumptions because you flashed the film or scratched it in the multiple loadings of various bodies. The more you handle the film prior to processing, the greater the risk of damage or light fogging...

Ask around for someone who bulk loads cassettes and get them to make a few short loads for you to make individual tests of each camera, or just get a few rolls of cheap Kodak Colorplus 200 for your tests.

John Koehrer · Aug 13, 2019

I keep a roll of film in a drawer for just that purpose. If you're just checking the ability to transport film through the camera
if\t's fine. Even if it's for spacing it's OK but to check two cameras different color pencils/pens work.

Taz777 · Aug 13, 2019

John Koehrer said:
I keep a roll of film in a drawer for just that purpose. If you're just checking the ability to transport film through the camera
if\t's fine. Even if it's for spacing it's OK but to check two cameras different color pencils/pens work.

Yes, it's just for testing that the film is transported through the camera correctly. I was wondering whether I can just reuse an exposed film in several cameras just for this test, as you appear to do. I'm not bothered about getting it developed. I just want to test the mechanical side. Both cameras are manual.

MattKing · Aug 13, 2019

Be careful with re-using films when you aren't sure whether the cameras are functioning properly.
Before testing subsequent cameras, you should carefully inspect the film to make sure that there aren't any torn or damaged sprockets.

Taz777 · Aug 13, 2019

MattKing said:
Be careful with re-using films when you aren't sure whether the cameras are functioning properly.
Before testing subsequent cameras, you should carefully inspect the film to make sure that there aren't any torn or damaged sprockets.

Okay, understood. It might be better to just buy a few rolls of the cheapest film then.

Kino · Aug 13, 2019

I thought you wanted to do an exposure test on one roll. If you just want to test it mechanically, any old roll will work as long as it's in good shape. If you rewind the film into the cassette, don't worry, it can be retrieved easily with another bit of film. https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/quick-method-to-extract-35mm-film-leader.48378/

CMoore · Aug 13, 2019

Taz777 said:
I've got a a couple of new (old) 35mm film cameras now. Without any film loaded the basic functions work fine. However, I want to test out that the film advance mechanism and shutter cocking works without wasting a lot of film.

Is the easiest way to run a roll of 35mm film through one camera and then manually rewind it but not all the way into the cartridge, and then reuse the same exposed roll in the other cameras?

Yeah, i have a couple rolls of HP5 that i have had for several years. I use them just as you say.
It's not like they get much use.
It is also a good way to practice rewinding film, Without Running ti all the way back into the can.
Different cameras (might) sound and feel differently. If you make a few mistakes with your test roll, you will not Fog/Ruin any award winning photos.

MattKing · Aug 13, 2019

Taz777 said:
Okay, understood. It might be better to just buy a few rolls of the cheapest film then.

No - just check for signs of damage - roll it out by hand through its entire length, look carefully and, if it is undamaged, you can roll it back into the cassette, leaving the leader extended. It may be necessary to trim the end of the leader if the first camera crimped it, as some do.
And be SURE to mark that film as a TEST film.

Agulliver · Aug 14, 2019

I bulk roll film so what I do is roll a cassette of 10 exposures of something cheap like Fomapan and make some test exposures, then process and examine the negatives...scan if I think it's worthwhile.

You could keep one roll of film to waste in "new" cameras but all you'll know is that the winding mechanism works. If you don't bulk roll film, maybe find someone local who does and who can give/sell/trade you some short films. Or as someone mentioned Kodak Color Plus can be had as cheap as chips.

abruzzi · Aug 14, 2019

On the exposure testing side, I do a couple things. First I shoot a few bright frames at the highest shutter speed. This is to look for “capping”. If the leading curtain runs slower than the trailing curtain, at the highest speeds a portion of the frame will be unexposed. (Obviously, not useful for leaf shutters.) Then I take a series of shots of the exact same subject, starting with a fast shutter and an open aperture, then each subsequent shot I drop the shutter speed on stop and open the aperture one stop, and I go as far as I can (1000/2, 500/2.8, 250/4, 125/5.6, 60/8, 30/11). The reason I do this is to see if the frames all look equally exposed. It’s far from perfect, but it gives me a sense of whether the shutter speeds are relatively consistent.

Taz777 · Aug 15, 2019

abruzzi said:
On the exposure testing side, I do a couple things. First I shoot a few bright frames at the highest shutter speed. This is to look for “capping”. If the leading curtain runs slower than the trailing curtain, at the highest speeds a portion of the frame will be unexposed. (Obviously, not useful for leaf shutters.) Then I take a series of shots of the exact same subject, starting with a fast shutter and an open aperture, then each subsequent shot I drop the shutter speed on stop and open the aperture one stop, and I go as far as I can (1000/2, 500/2.8, 250/4, 125/5.6, 60/8, 30/11). The reason I do this is to see if the frames all look equally exposed. It’s far from perfect, but it gives me a sense of whether the shutter speeds are relatively consistent.

Great advice! Many thanks.

guangong · Aug 15, 2019

I use an old roll of Agfa or Kodachrome film, both bought decades ago. Good idea to check all 36 frames. I acquired a Contessa that advances film properly until frame 26 , and then jams and chews up sprockets. Unfortunately, this was a camera I didn’t test film advice before using.

Testing a 35mm film camera

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Testing a 35mm film camera

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