Pulling leader out from rewound film?

[v_roma]

Hello,

I posted this question on a camera-specific thread but thought it might make sense to broaden the audience by posing the question in this forum. I've recently discovered a problem with a camera (a Contax TVS I) and was hoping to transfer the film in that camera to a different one. The TVS I, to the best of my knowledge, does not have an option to leave the leader out when rewinding film. Also, rewinding is motorized and there is no way to stop it. Is there an reasonably easy way to pull the leader out of the film cannister after it's been rewound? I don't have a darkroom nor any specialized equipment.

Thank you!

 

[bobkatz]

Try a film retriever device...easy and cheap...
Check treads for sure Youll find options!
Good luck...

 

[bojanfurst]

Five bucks will solve your problem

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/86403-REG/General_Brand_ESA367_35mm_Film_Leader_Retriever.html

 

[Brian Legge]

I've found this method faster than using some retrieval devices:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRT_9OQy6VA

 

[ornate_wrasse]

Although I own the film leader retriever described in the above posts, I was not able to retrieve the leader out of the canister even after trying a few times.

I decided to bring the film canister with me when I went to a local film lab to drop off some other rolls for development. I politely asked them if they would be able to retrieve the leader for me. He went to the back of the shop, retrieved the leader for me and promptly gave it back to me. Success!

Perhaps you could go to a local film lab if there is one in your area and have this done.

Hope that helps,

Ellen

 

[rlouzan]

Careful! you risk fogging up the first few frames of your film.

 

[rbsinto]

I use a piece of Dymo label tape inserted into the cassette.
alternately one can wet a piece of film with water or spit and insert it.
In either case, a sharp tug usually gets the leader out.
I've been using the Dymo trick for 30 years as necessary.

 

[v_roma]

Thank you all for the responses. Exactly what I needed! I might give the DYI method a try first. Thank you for the heads-up, rlouzan. I'll be sure to do the actual retrieving in a dimly lit area.

 

[jet1944]

double sided sticky tape on a piece of film sometimes works ,the proper tool is hard to use

 

[brainwood]

double sided sticky tape on a piece of film sometimes works

This is the surefire way to do it. I have 4" piece of 35mm film with a 3/4" by 1/4" piece of double sided tape. To use you remove the backing and insert in the cassette. wind the cassette in the same direction as your camera wound it and you should find the double sided tape will grab the film leader as you wind it past. Then gently pull it out through the felt seal.
I actually have a piece of double sided on each end of the strip of film so I have a ready to use tool in my film bag

hope this helps

Chris