Removing film from canister

[palmerfralick]

Just getting started with processing my own film. What is the best way to remove exposed 35mm film from the canister? I have seen some use a bottle opener and some use an Ilford type film retriever. What is best method to use to avoid scratching the emulsion?

 

[taskoni]

Bottle opener works great. There's no risk of scratching while opening the canister.

Regards,

Boris

 

[Lauffray]

Yep bottle opener does the job well, though there are dedicated canister openers.
If you have a manual rewind on your camera you can also leave a bit of the leader out, I find it's a bit faster to load the reels than having to open the canister

 

[DNG]

I leave a small amount of leader out while rewinding...
I also shoot blanks to number 3

If you have a "auto-rewind" see if there is an option to "leave leader out"

 

[icebear]

Yep bottle opener does the job well, though there are dedicated canister openers.
If you have a manual rewind on your camera you can also leave a bit of the leader out, I find it's a bit faster to load the reels than having to open the canister

To use a can opener and pull the entire roll of film sideways out of the can eliminates any (little) chance of scartching the film by once more pulling the full lenght through the opening slit. If there is a little grain of something sitting there, you will end up with a nice scratch.

 

[znapper]

This is the internet, use it 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSQ4Dmju0Us

 

[V-12]

The best way to avoid scratching the emulsion is not to drag it back through the light trap, use a bottle opener.

 

[v3cron]

I pry them open with my fingers. Open wide enough so the film does not hit anything on the way out

 

[John Bragg]

Bottle opener. No risk of scratching (however slight).

 

[redisburning]

I use a quality pair of needle nose pliers and pull the whole bottom off the can. then push down on the center post and it pops neatly out, just like you were using a bottle opener.

 

[Pioneer]

I press the little button on top of the canister, rotate the outer canister...oops. sorry.🙂

 

[Noll]

just make sure you find a good steel can/bottle opener with square edges. I had one that was rounded and it was a pain in the butt to pry those lids off!

 

[John Bragg]

Three point plan to avoid unnescessary scratching on precious film. (Murphys law dictates it will always be an unrepeatable shot that gets damaged).

(1) Use a bottle opener to open cassette, as even a seemingly pristine cassette can harbour grit in the felt.
(2) Avoid film squeegees as they can and will damage film.
(3) Avoid film cutters as they can leave nasty tramlines and use a mk 1 scissors instead.

Not foolproof by any means, but if you value your work, any damage, however slight, is best avoided.

 

[clayne]

Picked up one of these ages ago: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/116060-Arista-Film-Cartridge-Opener

Pricey compared to a normal opener but I've never had to sit and waste time trying to get caps off - as they always come off in one go.

 

[palmerfralick]

Can opener

Can opener

Picked up one of these ages ago: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/116060-Arista-Film-Cartridge-Opener

Pricey compared to a normal opener but I've never had to sit and waste time trying to get caps off - as they always come off in one go.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I will try this opener. This is why I love this site! Now I just need to decide on Rodinol, Xtol, Diafine, stand developing or shaken not stirred. Can't wait to get started.

 

[AlexisNeel]

I just peel the openings apart...pretty easy actually...and quick

 

[hidejoshi]

I use both thumbs.

 

[Ming Rider]

As someone who loads their own film, I just 'twist and go.' 🙂

 

[Ronald M]

Porters Camera in Iowa sells a wall or bench mount opener that works much like a bottle opener.

The also have a freehand one that works in a fashion similar a bottle opener, just way better.

I never found a retriever I liked.

If you pull film out and go off tangent , ie do not follow the path in the camera, you will scratch it. I use this for tests only with a bench marked for exposures/distance. Put the canister down so the FILM LEADS OUT CORRECTLY, turn out the light and pull the correct distance. Load reel.

If you use Leica, find the correct brass cassettes and all these issues go away.

 

[Marel]

I'm in the peeling camp. No tools required.