Huss
Veteran
So you forgot your light meter, and did not charge your phone. Did you remember your camera?
From a shoot a little while ago:
I need to keep track of what I do in an efficient manner. Cute little scraps of paper taped to my cameras does not cut it.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
I only remembered my Super Ikonta folder, my 4x5 pinhole and my Leicaflex SL2, plus my tripod. I forgot to bring my bearer though to carry it all!
Jeremy Z
Well-known
Rollei had us covered, with the inset dials on the front of the original model:
By Don DeBold from San Jose, CA, USA - Rollei 35 CameraUploaded by tm, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21639922
For the Electro 35 CC, it has a box end holder.
For the OM1N and Electro 35 GS, I'll have to use one of the aforementioned ghetto solutions. Probably white or yellow electrical tape marked in Sharpie. It sticks a lot better than painter's tape, but doesn't leave residue like old style masking tape.
Don't know what I'll do for the Rollei B 35, as the bottom plate is occupied and it doesn't have the front dials like the original 35. Probably just remember that I only shoot 400 print film at rated speed.
By Don DeBold from San Jose, CA, USA - Rollei 35 CameraUploaded by tm, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21639922
For the Electro 35 CC, it has a box end holder.
For the OM1N and Electro 35 GS, I'll have to use one of the aforementioned ghetto solutions. Probably white or yellow electrical tape marked in Sharpie. It sticks a lot better than painter's tape, but doesn't leave residue like old style masking tape.
Don't know what I'll do for the Rollei B 35, as the bottom plate is occupied and it doesn't have the front dials like the original 35. Probably just remember that I only shoot 400 print film at rated speed.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
My so far infallible implementation of cutting edge film tracking. I just need a slightly lower tack masking tape.
robert blu
quiet photographer
So you forgot your light meter, and did not charge your phone. Did you remember your camera?
From a shoot a little while ago:
I need to keep track of what I do in an efficient manner. Cute little scraps of paper taped to my cameras does not cut it.
Wow, impressive !
tbhv55
Well-known
I've tried that method. It works........ most of the time
.Re- low-tack tape, try searching for "drafting tape" (sometimes also known as "architects' tape"). It's essentially the same as masking tape, but with much lower tack.
We used that stuff when I did my training in a technical drawing office. Of course, that was a couple of centuries ago
, so I don't know whether it is still available, now that CAD systems have largely replaced drawing-boards.CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
We used that stuff when I did my training in a technical drawing office. Of course, that was a couple of centuries ago
One of my neighbours started as an apprentice in technical drawing at Thorn EMI - they had over 300 apprentices in the drawing office!
I shall look out for it, this one I now is higher tack as I use it to seal the Paterson tank for leak reduced agitation.
dourbalistar
Buy more film
My so far infallible implementation of cutting edge film tracking. I just need a slightly lower tack masking tape.
That doesn't look cutting edge to me, it looks like you just tore a piece of masking tape off the roll. If you want cutting edge, you should probably use scissors.
p.s. Nice M5.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
That's CAD tearing to make it look like it's been hand-torn, for that authentic analogue experience.
M5 is lovely, very happy with it, sadly it's making all my other non-meter Leicas a bit redundant at present!
M5 is lovely, very happy with it, sadly it's making all my other non-meter Leicas a bit redundant at present!
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Wait... doesn't your M5 have a little film reminder dial on the back door? I have no idea what those little symbols mean, but it looks like this (not my photo):
EDIT - Did some research, and the symbols are:
NE = Color Negative film
Triangle = Black & White film
Sun = Daylight film
Lightbulb = Tungsten film
Film Reminder/Exposure Calculator by Adam Rose, on Flickr
Last edited:
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
The gauge on the top is better, but no use when the film is out of the camera.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Sigh, Oh for the good old days when you took the film into the local lab at lunch time and didn't need to label it because you'd only just taken it out of the camera...
Regards, David
Regards, David
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Hm, I just realized that the yellow section you taped over on the Kodak TMY cassette says "Notes". I think there's a similar section on other Kodak films, at least for most of their "professional" 135 films like Portra, Tri-X, T-Max, etc... Maybe you can carry a Sharpie and jot down the ISO or whatever other info you need.
Ilford films also have a similar section on the cassette, you can see four boxes on the left side of this Delta 400 image courtesy of B&H:
So at least for some Kodak and Ilford 135 film, there's a solution built-in!
olifaunt
Well-known
If you forget, all is not lost. Assuming your camera has a way of rewinding that doesn't eat the leader, you can always rewind and open the camera, then put it back in and wind on to the next unexposed frame.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
I keep a spreadsheet - which I print occasionally - of my cameras, their serial numbers, when they were last used, etc. Even though I have a plethora of them, from Minox to 4x5, only two cameras at most will have film in them. Typically I'll keep the film box nearby with a notation on it for the camera in use and when loaded.
I try to use only one camera at a time (that is, just have one with film loaded). Likewise, I try to use just one lens on that camera. It's a type of simplicity that appeals to me.
I try to use only one camera at a time (that is, just have one with film loaded). Likewise, I try to use just one lens on that camera. It's a type of simplicity that appeals to me.
olifaunt
Well-known
Completely off on a tangent, but has anyone found a sharpie that will write notes on those cassettes? The ink doesn't stick to the smooth surface and just condenses into drops that come off. I can at best make an engraving into it with a ball point pen.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
The capsules seem completely resistant to ink.
I'm still to be convinced anything is better than the masking tape for keeping track from camera to tank.
I'm still to be convinced anything is better than the masking tape for keeping track from camera to tank.
robert blu
quiet photographer
I use "Staedtler Lumocolr" permanent special, ok to write on glossy surfaces. You should find it in art supply shops.
Dpingr1
Established
I use a half case with my rangefinders, so in addition to using the dial and hot shoe, I stick a box top in the bottom of the half case. With all that, I still forget it sometimes and have to rewind, look, and advance. I take a film extractor and a small changing bag (for 120) with me, just in case. This problem does not improve with age, I have found.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
I've found an even better use for my masking tape tracking app. Large format film holders. So often they have numerous films marked on them, and you sometimes forget whether they are loaded or not and whats in them. So mark the tape with the film type (essential for reciprocity equations) and wrap it over the top to signify the back is live. I really should patent this.
