Unperforated?

[lhoff601]

New to bulk film. I saw a 100' roll of Ilford 3200 on B&H, advertised as "unperforated". Does that mean with no sprocket holes? How would you move it through your camera?

Thanks!


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[lhoff601]

(Sorry about the dumb promotional signature - I think I've got it turned off, now...)

 

[frobozz]

They made cameras that used unperforated film, like school portrait cameras that would take a bulk roll so you could take hundreds of pictures without stopping to reload. I believe most microfilm is also unperforated, so whatever equipment that is used in can handle it.

Duncan

 

[grommi]

Unperforated 35 mm film is great for selfmade cameras, pinhole cameras, used in 6x6 cameras to get 35x56 mm negs and much more using your imagination.

 

[AgX]

How would you move it through your camera?

Even for some time there are 35mm consumer cameras that do not pull the film via the sprocket wheel but via the take-up spool. Though most still use the sprocket wheel for frame positioning/counting and thus need perforated film.

But that one does not necessarily need a sprocket wheel can be seen at rollfilm cameras.

 

[Truzi]

My Sears KS-2 (Ricoh XR 7) can handle non-perforated film, I've used some microfilm in it. The spacing between negatives is not consistent, but the counter and shutter work off the winding mechanism. As AgX said, the sprocket wheel on mine only helps with positioning.

It might be better to buy perforated film if you are unsure of your camera. However, if you must have the non-perforated film, first test your camera. Without film, wind, and fire the shutter a few times (you may want to open the back to watch things move). If it works without film in it, you should be okay.

There may be other issues to consider, however. With no sprocket holes, the film may sit up too high on the sprocket, and if the backing plate does not give enough pressure to keep the film flat in this scenario, you may have negatives that are a bit out of focus.

 

[AgX]

As said above, there are cameras designed for unperforated 35mm. There are 35mm cameras not designed for it, though they might transport it, maybe with flauws as Truzi hinted at.

Other ways to use it are in rollfilm cameras, in sheet film cameras, in self-built cameras, in pinhole cameras.
Depending on DIY skilss there are more alternatives.

 

[GregW]

Also states minimum order is 20 rolls. : (
So no chance to try 3200 full frame in an instamatic or 828 camera...

 

[Truzi]

All you need are 19 friends with the same idea

 

[August]

My Canon EOS 10s handles non-perf film like a pro. Plus I can use modern auto-focus lenses with it too. All I have to do is hole-punch a small hole to help the take-up spool to grab it and it's fine from there.