Struggling to finish a roll of 36 exposure

Expanding a bit on what Filmfan and Oftheherd suggested;
When you want to remove a partialy exposed roll, first check the frame counter and note the number of exposed frames.
Rewind the film slowly until you hear a "click" which will be the sound of the film leader popping out of the takeup spool slot. At this point, the leader will be sticking out of the cassette two or three inches depending on the width of the camera you are using.
Stop rewinding and remove the film. Record on a slip of paper "exposed X. Start X+1 or X+2. Either put the paper inside the film cannister or secure to the roll with a rubber band.
When reloading the roll, make sure the lens or body is capped and advance to frame X+1 or X+2.
If you are using slide film be sure to tell the lab to visually check the film when cutting it because the registration will likely be off past the point of the original shots.
I've been doing this for over thirty years and it works very well.
Oh. and if you do accidentally wind the leader back into the cassette, you can get it out with a piece of Dymo Label tape.
If you're not sure how to do this lemme know and I'll explain it in detail.
 
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I have a suspicion that the reason you're struggling is not technical.

Where are you in Dallas? (DFW Metroplex is a big place)

There's a couple of us here who likes to shoot film on weekends.

If you'd like to learn to develop film by yourself, I can show you. I'm writing the material for a film-photography workshop, so I'm not just pulling stuff out of the air :)
 
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I'd say that if you struggle to finish 36 exposures, you need to rethink why you are photographing and what a good photograph is. Look at well known photographers work and go see some exhibits / a museum. That should help.
 
For some reason a roll of 36 will stay in my camera forever but I can pump through a roll of 24 in an hour. The quality of film matters too, for cheap film I will just bust through it.
 
I usually go into it with the mentality that I'm going to finish the roll in one setting for the reasons you've mentioned. When I started shooting film I initially was more conservative with my trigger finger but if I know I'm going to finish the roll then I tend to find things I might not have originally shot.
 
Buy 100' roll and load your own. That way you can determine how many exposures per roll you want.

Best regards,

Bob
 
shadowfox said:
I have a suspicion that the reason you're struggling is not technical.

Where are you in Dallas? (DFW Metroplex is a big place)

There's a couple of us here who likes to shoot film on weekends.

If you'd like to learn to develop film by yourself, I can show you. I'm writing the material for a film-photography workshop, so I'm not just pulling stuff out of the air :)
Click to expand...

Good thinking, Will, maybe some of us can plan a day once this &^*&^%# rain stops.
 
Ducky said:
Good thinking, Will, maybe some of us can plan a day once this &^*&^%# rain stops.
Click to expand...

rain isn't bad for taking pictures :) better than blazingly harsh sunlight? but that is better than complete darkness. Some say - there's no bad weather, just inappropriate dress.
 
All very complicated and such angst and ingenuity! I simply load 36 exposure film (always B&W) and use it...always the same lens/body.
I don't claim any great success; but I'm happy.
David
 
I am shocked, shocked am I.

Only four posters mentioned multiple cameras. We're missing a great opportunity here.

"Honey (note gender neutral term), I've just figured out how to save money on film. I'll just buy another camera.":D:cool:
 
I use 36 exposure films. When I have 5-6 frames left I finish the film just shooting in relax anything around me. Many times it happens thaty the best pictures in the film are the ones made just to finish the film! The power of being relaxed :)
robert
 
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