What happened to the 12exp 35mm film

Roses

A
Roses

  • 2
  • 0
  • 73
Rebel

A
Rebel

  • 4
  • 2
  • 98
Watch That First Step

A
Watch That First Step

  • 1
  • 0
  • 65
Barn Curves

A
Barn Curves

  • 2
  • 1
  • 60
Columbus Architectural Detail

A
Columbus Architectural Detail

  • 4
  • 2
  • 64

Forum statistics

Threads
197,489
Messages
2,759,848
Members
99,516
Latest member
ErikLevesque
Recent bookmarks
0

DWThomas

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
4,601
Location
SE Pennsylvania
Format
Multi Format
There were -- some of the consumer films from the big names -- I seem to recall one of their targets was the real estate business where a salesman might want just a few shots to peddle a house (needless to say, that niche has been filled by "other technology" these days). There used to be 20 exposure rolls and later 24, but I find not too many of those anymore either. I specifically looked for 24 exposure B&W film to use in my Argus C-3 on Argus Day because I often find 36 exposures is a lot of shooting in that machine! That answer turned out to be Ilford FP4 Plus, which is a nice match for that camera.

I suspect the market for very short rolls has largely dried up.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,135
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
They became adults in a bigger size.
12 exposures disappeared
20 exposures became 24 exposures
36 exposures stayed the same.
 

pentaxuser

Member
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
19,614
Location
Daventry, No
Format
35mm
I haven't seen any in the U.K. for maybe 6 years. The last kind I recall being able to buy was 12 frame cassettes of Fuji Superia 200. I don't think I have ever seen any Ilford 12 frame cassettes since my interest in film began in about 2003.

As DaveT says, it would seem that the big players have all abandoned 12 frame cassettes. Pity in some ways. An afternoon out seemed to fit with 12 frames when the light conditions would remain the same, even in the U.K. - well nearly the same:D

pentaxuser
 

Rick A

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
9,853
Location
Laurel Highlands
Format
8x10 Format
The reason I roll my own, any more than 12 exposures sits in my camera forever.
 
OP
OP
amellice

amellice

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
424
Location
Snohomish, WA
Format
Medium Format
I think 12 is good if you think about each frame (ex: landscape) and you have a chance to print all of them. I find myself tired to print 36 exp roll and sometimes unconsciously find myself rushing through prints just to get the roll done. That's why i switched to 24 exp and couple of weeks ago bought my first bulk loader planing to have around 15 exp or so, I don't know if there others feel the same. 36 exp is good for street and quick snap shooting because you "expect" that some shots will be off and won't be printed out
 

mrred

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
1,251
Location
Montreal, Ca
Format
Multi Format
If you are a decent shooter, 12 can be more than enough for an afternoon. The people left shooting film are mostly in this category, but are too cheap for the inflated price that goes along with it. :smile:

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
 

perkeleellinen

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 14, 2008
Messages
2,899
Location
Warwickshire
Format
35mm
I always thought they were a cheap way to try a new film but then I could never find cheap 12exp processing. Most places charged flat 36exp prices.
 

trythis

Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Messages
1,208
Location
St Louis
Format
35mm
Lots on eBay. You can buy hundreds of rolls at a time.
I wouldn't want 12 exposures in C41 due to developing costs being 3x a 36 roll.
B&W word be OK since I do that at home but 24 is more suitable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Mar 31, 2012
Messages
2,409
Location
London, UK
Format
35mm
I always thought they were a cheap way to try a new film but then I could never find cheap 12exp processing. Most places charged flat 36exp prices.

When I was young, 12 exp was all my parents would buy me. Processing was also accordingly cheaper in the place where I grew up.
Local labs had a structured price range.

Now, I am using bulk rolls for B&W and I roll at times 12-24 exp rolls. And I'm glad to find 24 exp rolls for colour.
 

pentaxuser

Member
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
19,614
Location
Daventry, No
Format
35mm
I always thought they were a cheap way to try a new film but then I could never find cheap 12exp processing. Most places charged flat 36exp prices.

Is this because it takes as much time and chemicals as processing a 36 frame film? I suspect it does even commercially. It certainly does in a 135 tank at home.

pentaxuser
 

Prest_400

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
1,402
Location
Sweden
Format
Med. Format RF
24 exp is not very usual nowadays, forget about 12 exp. I think Ilford still carries 24exp for FP4 and HP5. Tri-X might as well. I recall seeing these being sold around quite recently. Then there are the superias and gold.
I think that since I got into film in 2008, I haven't shot 24 exp rolls. 36 was too much for me usually, but it is the main format.

12 exp I recall, for consumers back then. Nowadays I think no one aside of external finishers does them...
There's the usual anecdote of a roll beginning in christmas and ending in the next christmas.

I always thought they were a cheap way to try a new film but then I could never find cheap 12exp processing. Most places charged flat 36exp prices.
I find that most labs do nowadays. No advantage with shorter rolls.
 

pukalo

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2006
Messages
159
Format
35mm
They used to be sold in 20 or 50 packs thru BH. Always assumed they were for portrait shooters, 1 roll per client. Don't think they were common with general consumers, 24 exp WA their thing.
 

Moopheus

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
1,219
Location
Cambridge MA
Format
Medium Format
Wasn't there also 20 exp. rolls before it was 24? I seem to remember that, but it has been a long time since I've seen one.
 

SLVR

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2015
Messages
50
Format
Med. Format RF
I find if I want something with 10-12 exposures I just shoot 120! Even still I can go a couple weeks with a roll shooting meticulously.
 

MartinP

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
1,569
Location
Netherlands
Format
Medium Format
They are now sold in bulk -- you get two and a half (approximately) rolls of twelve exposures in each cassette marked "36".

Simple solution is to wind half a "36" roll in to an empty cassette, after trimming the original leader 'square' to make an end suitable for taping. This is easier if the second cassette is reloadable, so that you can guesstimate by feel when the core is half full before putting it in the outer-cassette. Needless to say, somewhere dark is required, whether that is a changing-bag or nighttime and a few blankets.
 

Kirks518

Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
1,495
Location
Flori-DUH
Format
Multi Format
Wasn't there also 20 exp. rolls before it was 24? I seem to remember that, but it has been a long time since I've seen one.

Yes, why yes, there was.... This was in a Bolsey C2 I just picked up. Developed in it B&W, and there were only two images of a house on it, c. 1980 (judging by the cars in the driveway).
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1892_IJFR_800.jpg
    IMG_1892_IJFR_800.jpg
    66.7 KB · Views: 176

Kirks518

Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
1,495
Location
Flori-DUH
Format
Multi Format
I find if I want something with 10-12 exposures I just shoot 120! Even still I can go a couple weeks with a roll shooting meticulously.

Ditto. I have about 100 rolls of 36 exp, and two 100' bulk rolls of 35mm. Takes forever to go through a roll. It's even worse when you load a roll of 36 into a half frame camera (72+ exposures).

That's why my carry around camera is my M645, or my Yashica 124. Still takes about 1-2 weeks before a roll is used up. (even longer if it's in the RB67).
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom