35mm Film Retriever SORTED IT!!

Asha

Asha

Blithering Idiot
Suspended / Banned
Messages
11,274
Name
Asha
Edit My Images
Yes
OK guys is there a nack to using these film retrievers cos I'm getting seriously frustrated with the one I've picked up today.

Upto press I've always used the method of wetting some old film, inserting it into the canister, allowing it to take hold of the film leader and hey presto, pull the film out!

I have recently had a couple of films that i've struggled with and had no joy at retrieving the film so decided to pick up one of these purpose made film retrievers but can i get it to do what it's supposed to do.....not a chance.

Is this one of those gadgets that simply sells because it's supposed to work but then in reality it doesn't?

Sorry for the rant but i hate things that don't do what they are designed to do.
 
Last edited:
The Jessops one I bought is easy....but harder for me if I don't use my hearing aid :(
 
excalibur2 said:
The Jessops one I bought is easy....but harder for me if I don't use my hearing aid :(
Click to expand...

Mmm can only imagine the frustration of trying to hear the click if you can't feel it when having impaired hearing.

freecom2 said:
I got very frustrated trying to work out how to use it - I just couldn't "get" the film for some reason.

Watched this YouTube video and followed it to the letter and result!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voxdvu7Loj8

Give it a try :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the video link ...watched and tried again several times since with no success...Yet!!.....I think my patience has already been pushed to its limit with this little device this evening ...best to put to one side and try again tomorrow I think.
 
Are you following the curve of the retriever, and inserting it following the curve of the film from light trap inwards?

(very hard to describe)
 
I've had an Ilford one for over 20 years and although tricky it does what it's supposed to. I do remember it taking some practice though.

Walk away, have a drink and have another go.
 
What one have you got just for the record?

Used to use an Ilford one in the shop i worked in, there was a knack but it involved turning the film really slowly and listening for the little "click" and gentley pulling the tongues out
 
Last edited:
Asha said:
Mmm can only imagine the frustration of trying to hear the click if you can't feel it when having impaired hearing.
Click to expand...


Sometimes it's loud other times less, but as I don't use it much I haven't worked out a pattern why yet. But it works and I bought it for about £2.50 (used) on the bay.
 
The instructions that come with my Ilford retriever state that with some types of cassette it may help if you rotate the spool once in a clockwise direction after having slid the second button fully towards the cassette.

Might be worth a try?
 
Last edited:
Asha, would you like me to photocopy the instructions from my Ilford retriever and email them to you?
 
freecom2 said:
Are you following the curve of the retriever, and inserting it following the curve of the film from light trap inwards?

(very hard to describe)
Click to expand...

Yes I understand what you mean.....with it in place i turn the spool and hear the film pass by the first "tongue" then insert the second "tongue" to hopefully trap the film between them but it aint working ...I'm wondering if the film leader is kinked or something stopping it coming out.

RaglanSurf said:
I've had an Ilford one for over 20 years and although tricky it does what it's supposed to. I do remember it taking some practice though.

Walk away, have a drink and have another go.
Click to expand...

Walked away, had the drink but got busy printing afterwards instead..the retriever will wait til tomorrow, well ok i may be tempted before bedtime to av another last ditched attempt!! lol

chivers67 said:
What one have you got just for the record?

Used to use an Ilford one in the shop i worked in, there was a knack but it involved turning the film really slowly and listening for the little "click" and gentley pulling the tongues out
Click to expand...

From ebay...OK I know maybe i should have picked up a better one but they look to work along the same lines.
KOOD PROFESSIONAL 35MM STAINLESS STEEL FILM RETRIEVER


excalibur2 said:
Sometimes it's loud other times less, but as I don't use it much I haven't worked out a pattern why yet. But it works and I bought it for about £2.50 (used) on the bay.
Click to expand...

Mine cost twice that...not a fortune but would like to get use from it.

wickerman said:
The instructions that come with my Ilford retriever state that with some types of cassette it may help if you rotate the spool once in a clockwise direction after having slid the second button fully towards the cassette.

Might be worth a try?
Click to expand...

Along with all the other ideas offered, i'll try that too...thanks!

RaglanSurf said:
Asha, would you like me to photocopy the instructions from my Ilford retriever and email them to you?
Click to expand...

There are instructions (of sorts) with the one i've purchased Nick and tbh the tutorial on u tube etc make it straight forward enough to learn but thank you for the offer.
If there is something extra that may be of help listed in the ilford bumph then feel free to email.
 
DONE IT!!:thumbs:

Out of curiosity I reluctantly but purposely wound the leader of another film into its casing then tried the retriever...first attempt failed but second attempt, got the leader and pulled the film out.:thumbs:

Going on this revelation I can only presume thzt the other two films are kinked or damaged in some way and jamming behind the light trap of the cassette.:bang:
Any ideas how to get around that issue and get the film out??:shrug::help:

At least i know the gadget does actually work so all is not lost.:)
 
Just going to have to crack it open, I'm afraid. There are canister openers... although a bottle opener works just as well.
 
freecom2 said:
Just going to have to crack it open, I'm afraid. There are canister openers... although a bottle opener works just as well.
Click to expand...

Well I'll still be able to use the film as i have a couple of reloadable cassettes.

Alternatively I can put some of it into an Agfa Silette Rapid film cassette.

The rest could be spooled with some backing paper cut to size and used in some 828 or E10 format cameras.

Will keep me occupied for a little while!
 
I have a konica one (somewhere) with black blades (they look like a plastic) and it works a treat, very easy and reliable. A mate of mine bought one (can't remember the brand) with shiny stainless steel blades and its rubbish in comparison.

dunno if that helps, but if I was buying another I'd look for black blades on it (not sure if they are plastic or oxide coated steel, but they work)
 
puggie said:
I have a konica one (somewhere) with black blades (they look like a plastic) and it works a treat, very easy and reliable. A mate of mine bought one (can't remember the brand) with shiny stainless steel blades and its rubbish in comparison.

dunno if that helps, but if I was buying another I'd look for black blades on it (not sure if they are plastic or oxide coated steel, but they work)
Click to expand...

Thanks Bill...something to consider if i decide to pick another one up at sometime.
 
If anybody is interested there is a good article on Lomography showing how to this manually.

Basically its using a piece of film with double sided tape stuck to it which definitely solves the hearing problem.
 
M6JFH said:
If anybody is interested there is a good article on Lomography showing how to this manually.

Basically its using a piece of film with double sided tape stuck to it which definitely solves the hearing problem.
Click to expand...

Thats actually the process I've used for a long time, til I laid my hands on a bazillion empty cannisters to use with my bulk loader... though I did take to using APS film rather than 35mm, since I found it less fiddly
 
You must be struggling now as there is no more APS film you might if you are lucky get some that is only 5 years out of date
 
I've still got something like 8 rolls of it left so I'm good for a while, I can't express how happy I was when I found my eos 5 has a function to leave the leader out
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top