What's in my TLR!?

polyglot

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I recently got a C220. I'm used to using an RZ67 which has a little holder in the back where you put the cardboard endcap from your 120 box to remind you what film is loaded and it has a little EI wheel to control the meter and remind you of that.

But what do you do with cameras that don't have any way to remind you what you put in them?
 

Vaughn

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Expose the roll before you have a chance to forget?
 

Bill Burk

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I have to admit, the other day I folded the end of a film carton and tucked it into the camera strap of my Spotmatic F
 

Alan Gales

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If you forget what film is in the camera half way through the roll just open the back and check.
 

sly

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There's a flash shoe on my Yashica TLR. I fold the end of the box and stuff it in there.
 

Dr Croubie

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I just went to officeworks and got a bunch of little sticky-labels for all my film backs that don't have a spot in which to insert a piece of the film box (usually the sealing bit of paper when I start the roll, most of my stuff gets unboxed before frozen).
On my Kiev 88 old-style backs (which I think are the same as true Hassies), there's the little window on the back to open to see the frame numbers on the backing paper, on them I just jam a bit of the sealing-paper under that and squish the door closed.

I do like the idea of flash-shoe mount cardboard, it wouldn't work for backs but it might be ok on TLRs where you only have one film...
 

mgb74

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I've patented my solution: an acetate substrate coated with pressure sensitive adhesive with a high length to width ratio mounted longitudinally across pre-printed thin cardboard stock approximately 1.5 inch square

In other words, tape the end of the film box to the back of the camera.
 

Sirius Glass

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Someone makes a stick on plastic film box end holder. I just do not remember whom.
 

jstout

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tape

Some tapes can be nasty stuff, as far as leaving a mess or harming the camera, and if I were to use tape, which I don't, I would use the blue painter's tape, which comes off easy and without leaving a mess. It can be tricky to clean the gooey stuff off that some tape tends to leave, especially if it has dried up.

My system avoids messes and mistakes, and it's hard to screw this up, knock on wood, although I'll probably find a way.

I have settled on writing the name of the camera on the package the film came out of, and keeping that for reference, with my camera stuff. Easy to refer to. When I develop the film (or get it back, as I don't do my own color film), I keep the package (opened up and flattened out) with the negatives. That way, I always know what exact film was used with that set of negatives. It's simple and foolproof. I put dates on the package, too, with a sharpie. That shows whether fresh or old film was used, because the film's expiration date is also on the package (usually, depending?) The package can also be kept in a camera bag, especially if there are several bodies in there (camera bodies, that is).

Sometimes the film doesn't have a cardboard box, or even a wrapper, so the convenient holders on some cameras, for example modern ones they've been making since they quit putting fins on cars, are handy but can fall victim to the "no cardboard end-of-box label" problem. Old cameras, since before computers, forget it! My system works on any camera, and with any film. Sometimes all I have is the foil pack, so I write on that, or write on a piece of paper if no packing at all, like when you get a bunch of 35mm rolls in a bag, in their cans.

I'm lucky none of my cameras have scars from (other peoples') old tape on them. Short term, I guess it might be ok.


Chris Lange said:
Masking tape and a sharpie on the back of the cam!
Click to expand...
 
OP
OP

polyglot

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Sirius Glass said:
Someone makes a stick on plastic film box end holder. I just do not remember whom.
Click to expand...

Oooh, that sounds good. I don't want tape residue and while I like the idea of repurposing a hot shoe, my C220 has a PC-sync port.

Might have to fold up some brass sheet to make a little holder...
 

MattKing

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Sirius Glass said:
Someone makes a stick on plastic film box end holder. I just do not remember whom.
Click to expand...

I seem to recall it was benjiboy here on APUG who sent me some.

If I'm wrong, the generous person here on APUG who did send me some has my apology!
 

Poisson Du Jour

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Attach a keyring to the strap with the boxtop inside it. Bingo! Instant reference as to "what film is that...?".

Hama were the original manufacturers of the self-adhesive film box top "memo holders". Sometimes they can be found in junk sales or swaps, even flea markets. I recall they were a bastard to remove, taking the leatherette covering with them!

 
Last edited by a moderator:

Dr Croubie

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Poisson Du Jour said:
Attach a keyring to the strap with the boxtop inside it. Bingo! Instant reference as to "what film is that...?".
Click to expand...

I think I'm just going to make myself a Velvia Keyring anyway, just to use it as a keyring...
 

Steve Smith

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MattKing said:
If I'm wrong, the generous person here on APUG who did send me some has my apology!
Click to expand...

A few years ago, I made some using the laser cutter at work and offered them here.

I don't think I have any left (I will have a look later) but I could make some more.


Steve.
 

MattKing

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Steve Smith said:
A few years ago, I made some using the laser cutter at work and offered them here.

I don't think I have any left (I will have a look later) but I could make some more.


Steve.
Click to expand...

My apologies Steve - I'm sure it was you who sent them my way.

At least you are geographically close to benjiboy (at least from my perspective).
 
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