help - bulk roll of film > FP4

[wblati]

just bought a bulk roll of FP4 and on the back it says 'FILM CINE FP4 35MM" - I am a bit confused as to what camera is it for(motion or film camera?). Also would any be able to tell if it will have the sprockets on the sides. Thanks.

 

[ChrisN]

Don't panic! 35mm motion picture film will work fine in your 35mm still camera. The sprocket holes are probably a slightly different shape (slightly rounded) but this does not cause any problems. I have a few cans of old Ilford HP5 motion picture stock. I have no idea how old it is - it's slightly fogged and I expose it at EI 200, but the results are good.

Edit: found an interesting old post on P-net that discusses this film.

 

[MartinP]

A 200' roll of cine FP4 got me through the last few months at Uni and a cross Europe cycle-tour - it should work fine. Do an exposure-and-development test in case it was stored somewhere horribly hot for a while, but basically it will be ok physically if not chemically.

Oeps, I forgot to say that you will not have frame numbers, but will see footage numbers instead, and the perforations are a slightly different shape - these are by no means a serious problem.

 

[Tom A]

As stated, cine film has slightly more rounded corners in the sprocket holes. usually no problems at all. Only cameras that acted up for me with cine film (and I shoot a lot of it) was a Horizon 202 and a Leicaflex SL Mot with the motor. The Horizon would bunch up the film a bit and jam at about frame 16-17. The SL Mot would devour the sprocket "spacers" and fill the camera with film chips! This only happened with the motor in action - motor off - no problem.
Spool up a couple of short rolls, 3-4 ft long and shoot some tests for fog and speed. Pick a stock developer like Rodinal and test with that. Bracket exposures and see what your speed will be.