Why doesn't medium format film come in canisters like 35mm?

benjiboy · Jun 2, 2010

David A. Goldfarb said:
Didn't medium format film once come in a metal canister, in the era when 35mm film came in a metal screw-top canister? I don't know that 120 canisters were used in my own memory, but I believe I've seen them at camera shows or such like.

In any case, I think they're a good idea, and I save my plastic Adox canisters for other films.

Yes David, Agfa 120 film used to come in screw top Aluminium canisters, unfortunately I'm old enough to remember using them.

lxdude · Jun 2, 2010

alexmacphee said:
I used to have the occasional instance of fogging of film edges, but never since I started using the aluminium foil.

Sounds like a great idea. I wonder if that would would work for me. All I can get here is aluminum foil.

JPD · Jun 2, 2010

lxdude said:
Sounds like a great idea. I wonder if that would would work for me. All I can get here is aluminum foil.

Sheesh, americans can't spell 'aluminium' or learn the metric system. :rolleyes:

lxdude · Jun 2, 2010

JPD said:
Sheesh, americans can't spell 'aluminium' or learn the metric system. :rolleyes:

We can, we just don't wanna.

canuhead · Jun 2, 2010

Bought a ton of the Adox containers (same ones dwthomas uses) from J&C (who remembers them ?) and really like them. They've saved my bacon the odd time I don't keep the roll tight when I seal the paper end. I take all film out of boxes and wrappers and keep them in the containers so there's less fussing while shooting. Hinge is starting to go on a few but the lids still do their job.

darinwc · Jun 2, 2010

You could always get 70mm cannisters and a 70mm back.

bmasonoh · Jun 2, 2010

BetterSense said:
It seems like 120 film just as much as 35mm film should have canisters to protect it. I'm just not comfortable licking the tag end on medium format film, and dropping the bare roll in my pocket or camera bag. It seems like they need a canister to keep out bright light, dust, and so on. What if you drop one in the mud or the adhesive strip comes loose and your film insta-unwinds? I never understood why medium format doesn't come in canisters. What do you think?

Ha! I'm such a noob that I didn't know you were supposed to lick the tag! I'm ROTFL. I learn something new every day Thanks!

nyoung · Jun 2, 2010

Don't lick the tag on Fuji products. They're peel and stick like a modern postage stamp.

stillsilver · Jun 2, 2010

I haven't had a problem with fogging or tape coming undone. I handle my exposed 120 film carefully and put it in the bottom of the bag. Maybe I've just been lucky so far.

Mike

John Koehrer · Jun 2, 2010

Fuji also had 120 canisters. Once upon a time.

mgb74 · Jun 2, 2010

canuhead said:
Bought a ton of the Adox containers (same ones dwthomas uses) from J&C (who remembers them ?) and really like them.

I too have some from J&C. Prior to that I used amber pill containers. I'm not sure my photographs are any better after the switch.

Mike Crawford · Jun 2, 2010

What really gets me is that Ilford do not sell roll film anymore in pro packs of 5 rolls which was a natural way of working when out shooting and collecting the rolls together. Anyone else find it annoying carrying round individual boxes? Yes I know other manufacturers provide their film in the sensible manner, but I want my HP5 packs back. I'm even thinking of scanning an old Fuji box to get a template to print on to thick card and make my own 'flat pack, bend back, stick and tack, pro pack.'

So there Ilford!

TareqPhoto · Jun 2, 2010

I ordered many 120 film containers [plastic], and also i ordered Adox films which are included with that canister or film container, i use them and happy with it, i think i have many enough [maybe around 12] and i don't shoot many films over 5 or 6 and don't develop it, i just save them on those canisters and keep the rest as backup, cheapo canisters but working like a charm.

randyB · Jun 2, 2010

Many decades (50's,60's) ago some brands of 120 film came in metal or plastic cans as a given, then cameras such as the Rolleiflex, Blad, Bronica became very popular with Wedding and other Pro photographers and the usage of 120 film went way up. In other words, 120 film went from an amatuer film to a much used "pro" film. Most Pro's don't want to pay for waste material, so Kodak, Fuji, Agfa, Ilford started packaging some of their films in multi roll packs and dropping the cans and even boxes. Some of the European films kept their cans as they were marketed more to the casual photographer. I have a few of the Fuji cans and used them on a regular basis. I even have a few of the metal Agfa cans for 120 and 127 size but I don't actually use them as they are Antiques. RandyB

David A. Goldfarb · Jun 2, 2010

I agree that the 5-roll pro pack boxes are handy. I keep a few spares around for dealing with film that comes in less convenient packaging or in 20-roll pro-packs.

jmck · Jun 3, 2010

Try taking a roll of 120 to your Pharmacy they have a lot of sizes and color's of pill containers. Or I just found that Plastic slide boxes (2"x2"x3") will hold 4 rolls of 120.

wruzin · Jun 3, 2010

Look in the candy aisle at your favorite store and find the little plastic tubes that M&Ms are sold in. The come in two sizes; the smaller one is perfect for one roll of 120/220 and the larger tube will accommodate two rolls. The plastic is translucent, so it won't seal out light completely, but these little tubes are great for offering physical protection for the film. The M&Ms are a bonus and great as well.

jreitsma · Jun 20, 2010

Back in the early 70's I used to shoot AGFACHROME (beautiful film, by the way) and it came in metal canisters (even then, this was an novelty).

Later-Joe

Nige · Jun 21, 2010

wruzin said:
Look in the candy aisle at your favorite store and find the little plastic tubes that M&Ms are sold in. The come in two sizes; the smaller one is perfect for one roll of 120/220 and the larger tube will accommodate two rolls. The plastic is translucent, so it won't seal out light completely, but these little tubes are great for offering physical protection for the film. The M&Ms are a bonus and great as well.

I'm amazed it took till page 5 for this to come out. I use them for the physical protection while in the bag.

moki · Jun 21, 2010

The Rollei Superpan 200 comes in sturdy plastic containers that can also be bought separately ( like this)... I once bought ten of those films (lovely stuff, by the way, and not too expensive) and use the canisters regularly. With 35mm film I actually hate to have all the empty cans lying around once the film is developed and archived. It's nice to have something for safe transport, but once you got over 50 of these things strewn all over the lab, it becomes an annoyance. I'd rather pay a few cents less per film and leave out the extra packaging.

I also have wooden boxes with compartments that I take with me for travels. One contains 8 135s and a slightly bigger one 5 120s. Looks better and works just as well as the throw-away plastic containers that end up in some landfill sooner or later.

As for the question "Why doesn't medium format film come in canisters like 35mm?" - because it's not necessary at all. If you need extra containers, there are more than enough other possibilities.

polka · Jun 21, 2010

I open the plastic envelop containing the rollfilm only at one end and keep it to put the exposed film back into it

Paul

bblhed · Jun 21, 2010

I am going to get some M&M on the way home from work tonight, I'm not really worried about light, or unwinding, but dust and lint in my pocket. Actually Dust and lint period combined with me being a twit at times and tossing the film in my pocket with keys, coins and whatever else, I haven't had a problem yet, but I know it's coming.

Stoo Batchelor · Jun 21, 2010

I just drop all my exposed film in one of these attached to my camera bag so as not to have to worry about it.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lowepro-FILM-...aAccessories_BagsCases_JN&hash=item27b207376d

Stoo

bblhed · Jun 24, 2010

Well, I picked up 6 M&M minis small packs and I have just one left to eat! They were a bargain at two for $.88, and they came with some free candy ;-) I did learn that you do not want to put film in them while it is still wrapped in the foil as they are just a little too small for that. I wonder what my local 120 shop is going to say when I show up with my film in these containers.

viablex1 · Jun 24, 2010

I don't know if it is necessarily about protection at least exclusively. I know with efke films it helps to use a cannister to protect it from light.
just my 2 cents

Why doesn't medium format film come in canisters like 35mm?

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency