Where / how far to load film?

[JDMvW]

On 12/4/2022 at 7:33 AM, JDMvW said:

It's a mistake to try to load too short a leader. You risk having the film come off the sprocket and getting a blank roll..

I know this because I was a cheapskate and tried to squeeze in a couple more shots, but I did learn to check that the rewind knob was turning before proceeding'

 

38th picture on a roll of Ektachrome at Pierre, SD airport in summer 1962

Presidential opening of Oahe Dam

 

[glen_h]

On 12/5/2022 at 10:57 PM, rodeo_joe1 said:

Yes. There's no difference between the 'leader' and any other part of the film. 

That is true for any film from the usual manufacturers.

There are daylight loaders, to load 35mm cartridges from a bulk roll. 

In the usual way of using them, they expose the far and of the roll. 

Usually that means you don't get the 37th and 38th shot, and maybe not the 36th.

When I use such bulk loaders, I do it in the dark, so no exposed end.

 

As noted, there are no frame markings, so you can start at any sprocket position.

Sometimes people unload a partially used roll, then load it again later, maybe in a different camera.

Then wind off the appropriate number of exposures with the lens cap on.

Doing this often results in a gap that is not a multiple of 8 sprocket holes.

This confuses some developers and/or printers, but they should get it right.

 

Oh, to finish the story, 126 Instamatic cartridges use 35mm wide film, with one hole per frame.

In that case, frame markings are pre-exposed. That was a Kodak invention, probably patented,

to make it easier for printers.