Film Picker/Retriever/Extractor

[JeremyLangford]

I've been wanting to buy one of these for a while. The only problem is, I need to decide on which one. Here's the various ones I found for sale on ebay.

Adorama:

Kaiser:

Kalt:

Kodak ML 135:

Newer Japanese Model Kodak ML 135:

I mean I guess they all do the same thing and unless there is something I'm not seeing, I'll go with the Newer Kodak ML 135 simply because it looks the nicest and most durable.

 

[snip]

Well, unless I have problems with my vision I would suggest that the first device seems most durable as it is a)simple (consisting of two pieces) and b)made of the more durable material (both pieces seem to be mild steel)

Just my £0.2

//J

 

[El Jonbre Grande]

none 🙂 make one of these and save yourself the money.

DIY Film Puller

I made one and have done 15 or so rolls - got it first try everytime and still using the original piece of sticky tape. The way I use it is wind the roll till it clicks and give it another 1/2 turn - inset the DIY retriever as far as you can then gently wind it - you should feel the film grab and pull it into the cannister. Slowly pull it out and voila !

I have a friend with something similar to the Kodak one (it has 3 tongues) and it always takes him 3-4 goes to get the tongue out.

 

[Ronald M]

I had the cheapo you listed first and it worked for 20 years. It no longer works. It was lost and I replaced it with the fancy one from Micro Tools which looks just like all the rest you pictured. I have difficulty with it also.

My opinion is something has changed in cassette design making leader retrieval difficult.


Try one at a local lab and see if you can work it. I just open the cassette now and transfer the film to a reloadable one which does not help you if you are in the middle of nowhere.

But it must be possible because minilabs do it all the time. I follow the procedure, hear the film click, push the secondary blade in and it looses the film 9 times in ten.

Like I said, the cheapo worked for years and then stopped.

 

[JeremyLangford]

Well, unless I have problems with my vision I would suggest that the first device seems most durable as it is a)simple (consisting of two pieces) and b)made of the more durable material (both pieces seem to be mild steel)

Just my £0.2

//J

I was thinking that the first device would break or bend if I had it sitting in a backpack with cameras and gear while the others would be fine due to their plastic cases. But if it could fit in a film canister, it should be fine.

Does anyone know if this film retriever would fit in a film canister?

 

[ully]

Jeremy, thats what it was made for. I have one but never got it to work. I insert it into the roll with the curvature with the roll, can't get the film to stick in it. Maybe I should retry it with the curve opposite. Who knows?😡

 

[Spavinaw]

Jeremy-I have the Adorama type. Often works the first try, but not always.
And, YES, it does fit in a film canister, both Kodak and Fuji. Seems once I read about licking the leader on a second roll of film and sticking it in the first roll to retrieve the lost leader. Never tried it. Anybody???

 

[rbsinto]

I retrieve my film leaders with a piece of Dymo label tape. Works like a champ.

 

[dave lackey]

Hi, Rob...

I never thought of that...but I have had good luck with just licking an exposed roll of film and inserting into the cartridge. Works pretty well once you get the hang of it!

BTW, learned this one from Al Kaplan.:angel:

 

[seifadiaz]

JSeems once I read about licking the leader on a second roll of film and sticking it in the first roll to retrieve the lost leader. Never tried it. Anybody???

Never worked for me. Or maybe I'm doing it wrong.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Wow! Licking! That's nice!

I use the AP one many years ago: very solid gray plastic... Recommended! I've sat on it for years! It works perfectly after all this time, and I use it a lot. Very few times I shoot the whole roll in any camera because of different kinds of light and films... It's one of the two things I have every day in my pockets: the other one is a card size print with the sunny & overcast ISOs and developing times I've found for all the films I use...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[nikon_sam]

I have one like the first picture...I bought it in 1989, it's still in the original packaging...It's made by Samigon ($10.76)
I have to reread the instructions every time I use it (mainly due to using it maybe a handful of time since buying it) It works and that's all that matters to me...

 

[Keith]

Unless you're using a camera with a power winder I don't think it's that hard to judge by feel when to stop winding once the film has detached from the take up spool so as not to keep pulling it into the cassette.

On the odd occasion I've had to retrieve a leader licking an old piece of film worked for me also. Neopan tastes the best ... a little like sushi. Tri-X reminded me of burgers and fries and Ilford vaguely of kippers! 😀

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Speaking seriously, the first time I licked (after shooting it) the 120 Ilford roll's piece of paper with gum to to keep it sealed, I couldn't believe the englishmen put some mint on it... I haven't used Ilford for years, and I wonder if they already do it... I smiled every time... Funny people!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[aizan]

i've only needed to do this once, but it works and it's free:

http://people.rit.edu/andpph/text-retriever.html

 

[El Jonbre Grande]

I've heard of the lick method - will have to give it a go.

 

[Senecabud]

I use a piece of double-stick tape (Scotch brand, usually) on a narrow strip of index card.

 

[JeremyLangford]

Unless you're using a camera with a power winder I don't think it's that hard to judge by feel when to stop winding once the film has detached from the take up spool so as not to keep pulling it into the cassette.

This is what I used to think as well until I ruined a picture on a roll of slide film that I was shooting in Brazil. I will never forgive myself for it because it is the one picture that I was most excited about and I know I would have loved it.

 

[Pablito]

The last one pictured used to be sold under the Hakuba brand. It is by far the best but you need to take care of it so as not to bend the leaves.

I could never get the other designs to work properly.

 

[Mauro]

I purchased a model similar to Kalt from an online seller; my film picker was made in India, and it was really cheap. It works perfectly.