Who shoots 16mm or 110 cameras?

OptiKen · Jan 16, 2017

I've started revisiting both 16mm and 110 cameras and discovering the challenges that exist in shooting with them and developing the films. It's fun and frustrating at the same time.

I guess I wanted to share my pain so I pose these questions...................

mgb74 · Jan 16, 2017

I've shot Minolta 16mm "for fun" in the past. It was "a phase" for me.

What development frustration to you mean?

OptiKen · Jan 16, 2017

mgb74 said:
I've shot Minolta 16mm "for fun" in the past. It was "a phase" for me.

What development frustration to you mean?

Frustration in loading the film into tanks and frustration at trying to open cartridges without destroying them, mostly.

removed account4 · Jan 16, 2017

hi ken
i have been shooting a pentax auto1110 and having a lab process the film ( color expired fuji )
i did manage to do the slitting and respooling, developing myself thing for a little while but i haven't in a good 4-5 years...

removed account4 · Jan 16, 2017

OptiKen said:
Frustration in loading the film into tanks and frustration at trying to open cartridges without destroying them, mostly.

what kind of tanks/reels to you use ?
i have an ancient yankee tank that adjusts down to 110 so the film just slides in
and a metal reel ( no clue who made it, maybe spiratone? or something like that )
there used to be an appuger ( from australia ) who had a video and film still sequence
i found hugely useful for loading film. he used his camera to put the film on the cartridges...
are you self winding ?

mgb74 · Jan 16, 2017

As I recall, I did not have too much difficulty loading onto stainless steel reels (Nikor brand for 16mm/110). Nor respooling 16mm movie film onto original Minolta cartridges. But it was a while ago and perhaps I'm viewing through a rose colored memory (so to speak).

I did have trouble taming the contrast of Agfa Copex microfilm, but got OK results with very dilute Rodinal (IIRC).

Gerald C Koch · Jan 16, 2017

mgb74 said:
As I recall, I did not have too much difficulty loading onto stainless steel reels (Nikor brand for 16mm/110). Nor respooling 16mm movie film onto original Minolta cartridges. But it was a while ago and perhaps I'm viewing through a rose colored memory (so to speak).

I did have trouble taming the contrast of Agfa Copex microfilm, but got OK results with very dilute Rodinal (IIRC).

Never had any problem with Minolta cassettes or loading the film onto a SS 16 reel. Not much luck with various microfilm stock. They have very little latitude and tend to be contrasty even with the special developers. With the unavailability of fine grain 16mm film I sort of gave up. However with tons of microfilm in my freezer I may give it another try.

rthollenbeck · Jan 16, 2017

I have a Rollei-a110 that I like quite a bit. I haven't used it much this last year, but it is handy at work because of its size. Film is small but it's exceptable for snap shots

Theo Sulphate · Jan 16, 2017

Last year I bought a Pentax 110 SLR and got some good photos with it.

Oddly, it seems that focus falls closer to the camera than what I actually focused on. I'm hoping that is an issue only with the Lomography cartridge I used and is not typical.

Also, I use Minox 8x11.

bsdunek · Jan 16, 2017

I have several 110 cameras in my collection, and often shoot a roll with one. My favorite is my Minolta 110 Zoom. I have quite a bunch of color 110 film in the freezer and use Lomo B&W, I don't try to reload the cartridges. My Honeywell 16mm reel is very easy to load and the Lomo Orca is really nice. I do like the Lobster Redscale too. Lots of fun. There's a sub miniature/110 section on my website.

Fixcinater · Jan 16, 2017

bsdunek, what do you do with your carts after using them?

ic-racer · Jan 16, 2017

16mm here.

bsdunek · Jan 16, 2017

Fixcinater said:
bsdunek, what do you do with your carts after using them?

I usually break them open, so they are no longer usable. I've tried cutting them carefully, but have had no luck.

Fixcinater · Jan 16, 2017

Thanks for that. I've got a few 110 carts with film ready to be processed and/or and have just not taken the time to try to break into them at all, just been putting it off but it's time to burn some microfilm in them or move it on to somebody that can.

Truzi · Jan 16, 2017

I bought a bunch of very outdated 110 and 126 cartridges and won't even try the film. This way, I can carefully open them in the light without breaking them, then reload with fresh film and tape shut.

So far I've only done this with 126 - successfully. I've not gotten around to reloading any 110 yet. I think the Kodak cartridges were the worse to open. Some off-brands seemed easier.

MichiTimm · Jan 25, 2017

I shoot some 110 now and then. I have the Canon 110 ED and 110 ED20, and the Minolta 110 Zoom SLR -- all pretty darned good cameras. Also have an Ektralite 10, but that's really just a toy. Oh! I have a underwater Minolta too, but the flash doesn't work and I haven't used it much at all.

I really like the Tiger film from Lomography. I've also used some well-expired Kodak film with mixed results.
These were taken last week with the Canon 110ED on Lomography Tiger and developed at home.

benveniste · Jan 25, 2017

About once a year I "defrost" and shoot a cartridge of 110 film in my Pentax 110 SLR. For development, I just send it out here. (They are an APUG sponsor, BTW).

mjork · Jan 26, 2017

I have shot a couple of rolls of 110 Lomography Tiger film with a Rollei A110 and a Minolta underwater camera. I then developed them using 110 metal reels. After some initial learning curve figuring out how to load the reels, this is actually really easy to do.

I must admit I just crack open the 110 film cartridge and throw it away along with the backing paper. I don't trust that Lomography backing paper anyway.
The results were mostly good (see below), but I do have quite a few negatives with a couple of black spots in various places. On the positive, these are bright white spots with a red halo. This only happens when I use the camera outside in bright light. It looks to me as if these are tiny pinholes in the backing paper that let some light hit the negative. Has anybody else seen this?

Paul Verizzo · Mar 1, 2019

About to go down this new photo rabbit hole, I think.

I have an Agfa motordrive with flash, all in the factory sales box, instructions, etc. It has a Kodak Gold cartridge in it, I think all finished. 20 exposures max, right? The good news is that I do my own C-41, and an adjustable reel I have has a 16mm setting.

Ca. 1980 I had some kind of 110 camera that was handy in the glove box. Not "into" photography like now, then.

110 is making a big comeback, relatively, as a niche photo hobby. IIRC, last available 2008 but by 2011 there was film available again. First NOS, like from Film Photography Project, now also from the Lomography folks. There are instructions on the intertubes on respooling 110 cartridges and slitting 35mm film.

The old Kodacolor films were definitely grainy, even at small photo prints. But today we have T-grain built into almost all colors films even if not advertised as such.

One would need to match the film speed to the cartridge respooled, IIRC. Pre-DX coding, sorta.

guangong · Mar 2, 2019

Never really interested in 110, but have used Minolta 16 since about 1960. Very capable little cameras. I slit film and load into Minolta cartridges. For developing I use a stainless steel reel made for 16mm. No problems loading reel.
Also shoot with Minox 8x11. Smaller negative but better lens. For developing I use a Minox daylight tank, or a stainless steel reel, or a plastic reel for Paterson plastic tank. I prefer the steel reel. The steel reels made by Nikor.
I usually carry one of these in my pocket for the unexpected photo opportunity, to document something I come across, or as a visual memory aid.
They are not replacements for 35mm and larger, but they have their place. I have never been able to get huge, quality enlargements achieved by the maestros but my small prints look pretty good.

Paul Verizzo · Mar 2, 2019

guangong said:
Never really interested in 110, but have used Minolta 16 since about 1960. Very capable little cameras. I slit film and load into Minolta cartridges. For developing I use a stainless steel reel made for 16mm. No problems loading reel.
Also shoot with Minox 8x11. Smaller negative but better lens. For developing I use a Minox daylight tank, or a stainless steel reel, or a plastic reel for Paterson plastic tank. I prefer the steel reel. The steel reels made by Nikor.
I usually carry one of these in my pocket for the unexpected photo opportunity, to document something I come across, or as a visual memory aid.
They are not replacements for 35mm and larger, but they have their place. I have never been able to get huge, quality enlargements achieved by the maestros but my small prints look pretty good.

Maybe you have a phone that has a camera in it for those spontaneous moments? For awhile, way back, I carried a 110 camera, but there is no way to equate the limitations, the inconvenience, or the end result quality with even a cheap cell phone today.

Not saying do do such things for fun, but there is literally no good reason other than that to indulge in tiny formats.

jim10219 · Mar 2, 2019

I have a Minolta 110 zoom SLR and an Arrow HIT style camera. I've used the Lomo Tiger film in the 110 but send it off for processing. I've never felt the desire to spoil my own. I've thought about coating some cyanotype or Van Dyke paper for the HIT camera, but never have. I mainly just bought them for display purposes.

removed account4 · Mar 2, 2019

me said:
have been shooting

wanted to update my post ..
sold my kit in 2018.

P.johnson14 · Mar 2, 2019

I shoot 110 on occasion in a Minolta Zoom 110 MK II, as well as in a few Kodak Ektralites. My mom’s old 110 Ektralite was my first camera when I was 8 or 9, so I like to shoot some every now and then. She had a good laugh when I pulled it out of my bag when we went out shooting last Mother’s Day.

Paul Verizzo · Mar 3, 2019

I have access to a couple of dozen empty 110 cartridges. Are they of interest to anyone? I was thinking $2 a piece plus first class postage.

I know there's a For Sale thread, but since this one is focused on 110, and is active, I thought I'd ask here.

Who shoots 16mm or 110 cameras?