24 frame film and countdown counters

[seany65]

I was wondering what to do when loading a 24 frame film into my ambi silette which has a 'countdown' film counter? This question would apply to any camera with a countdown counter.

In the manual it says:

"Having loaded the camera set the exposure counter to zero (I presume the mark between the green triangle and the '1') then turn the milled disc until the green triangle comesopposite the index line.

When using 36 exposure film use the green mark between 36 and 1 ; for a 20 exposure film use the green mark between 25 and 20."

Would it be possible to start the winding on process at no. 27 so that no. 24 would be at the index when the first frame would be redy to be exposed?

I don't really wnat to risk forgetting that I'm using a 24 frame film and thsu end up trying to wind on to frame 25, etc.

Any help would be much appreciated.
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[johnnyrod]

Can't you set it to 27? TBH most times I know I'm at the last frame because I try to wind on and can't. it's never been a problem. At that point just rewind and unload the film in the usual way. You're not going to snap it out of the canister, or even if it did happen (never happened to me) you could get it unloaded in the darkroom by whoever does your prints (Peak Imaging in Sheffield for me) as an emergency fallback.

 

[johnnyrod]

PS not managed more than 24-25 shots on Poundland 24exp film! funny as all other films have been 26-27 exp in reality

 

[seany65]

Thanks for the replies johnnyrod.

I understand the "trying to wind on but can't" thing, but what if I'm positive I put a 36 in? I'd then panic and prolly try harder to wind on or open the back (sacrificing the film) in order to see what was going on, 'cos I'm a dozy twonk.😱

Hmm, I suppose poundland film is a little bit shorter so that it's a bit cheaper.

Anyway, slightly embarrassing confession time:

I asked the original question because of what the pdf butkus manual said (oooh, I owe the owner of that site sooo much money, got me out of wanting cameras that I would've hated and helped me with a lot with cameras I like), and even though I knew it was for the later version of the ambi silette than mine, I thought the only differences were in the rangefinder/fameline arrangment and the order of the focal lengths on top becoming 50,35,90.

It seems that they also changed the direction of the frame counter a well, according to the manual that came with my 1957 version.

So 'sort of panic' over, though the question still stands.

 

[johnnyrod]

Well I can't suggest a way to stop you opening the back but in my experience when you reach the end of the film, you most definitely will know that's the case and not that it's just a bit stiff! If you want a reminder then some people put the film box end or a bit cut off into the cold shoe, in the same way as SLRs usually have a slot on the back for the box end flap. Mate of mine does this as he has way too many cameras on the go at once.

 

[seany65]

Hmmm, I may just do that johnnyrod.