Keeping track of films in cameras

[Huss]

I took my phone with me last week and used it as a lightmeter, having mislaid my Sekonic. It then promptly ran out of batteries...

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]

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]

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.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

My so far infallible implementation of cutting edge film tracking. I just need a slightly lower tack masking tape.

 

[robert blu]

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]

My so far infallible implementation of cutting edge film tracking. I just need a slightly lower tack masking tape.

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]

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.

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]

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]

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!

 

[dourbalistar]

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!

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

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

The gauge on the top is better, but no use when the film is out of the camera.

 

[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

 

[dourbalistar]

The gauge on the top is better, but no use when the film is out of the camera.

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]

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]

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.

 

[olifaunt]

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.

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]

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.

 

[robert blu]

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.

I use "Staedtler Lumocolr" permanent special, ok to write on glossy surfaces. You should find it in art supply shops.

 

[Dpingr1]

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]

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.