Anyone ever had this darkroom mishap?

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chris-red

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Processing a couple of rolls of Delta I shot at the weekend, lights are out and I'm removing the film from the canister, I'm using my trusty scissors to flip the top off, It's proving slightly more difficult than usually (maybe the more expensive Ilford film has a slightly tougher canister) as I'm struggling I think to myself I should really get one of those 'proper' openers, just as I think this the lid pops off and goes flying across the loft, as does the roll of film... My Darkroom isn't a neat contained space. It's in the loft and like most peoples loft it is full of s*** and boxes. The next 30 minutes were spent feeling EVERYTHING, trying to find it. I'll not make that mistake again!
 
I prefer taking the film out through the light trap entry. It's more controllable, keeps the canister intact and ensures that there are no sharp edges from the canister, and you can wind it back in if necessary.

The only disadvantage is possible dirt in the felt of the light trap, but I've never found that to be a problem (because the film goes into a plastic case straightway after unloading).
 
In the dark put the end of the canister with the long bit of the spool on the surface whilst holding the canister( left hand ) run the back of the scissors down the side of the canister they will catch on the end plate and it will be forced of without any problem.:eek: I have done hundreds like that.:D
 
freecom2 said:
I prefer taking the film out through the light trap entry. It's more controllable, keeps the canister intact and ensures that there are no sharp edges from the canister, and you can wind it back in if necessary.

The only disadvantage is possible dirt in the felt of the light trap, but I've never found that to be a problem (because the film goes into a plastic case straightway after unloading).
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I would be worried about reshooting it!
 
chris-red said:
I would be worried about reshooting it!
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Once you have finished the roll just tear a bit off the leader so you know that the film is an exposed roll.
 
I always used to fold the end of the leader back so it creased. made it all but impossible to reload even if you did miss the obvious clue that it was exposed! Leaving the end out also removed the need to pop the can.
 
I never open the cassette. Start the film into the reel in the light then transfer it to the changing bag (or turn the light off). Once it is all on the reel, tear the film across the exit slot. It tears very easily so there is no reason to have scissors in the bag.

Often people suggest that there is a risk of scratching if you pass the film through the slot. Well, it's been through it twice already in the camera and possibly once at the factory. I have never seen scratches caused this way.


Steve.
 
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^^ I would imagine that this way you also negate the problems of the film curling about and getting twisted as you are rolling it onto the reel.
When I develop my first film, in the next week or two, I shall try it this way I think.
 
The only time I tried that I made a total mess of the film, I think it just interrupted my flow. I prefer to take the film off the roll or open the canister and have the film loose at the point where it joins the reel.
 
I'm the opposite, I find having the whole roll out and semi-loose means more likely to unfurl, get fingerprint marks on it and a risk of a long roll touching the ground as it unfurls!

As for ensuring I don't shoot it again? Easy. I mark all the shot rolls clearly, and they are stored in a separate, completely different place to my fresh film stock.
 
I use a bottle opener for the supermarket as a cheaper alternative to the dedicated canister openers -- works fine for a quarter of the price. If the film is still sticking out of the cassette, I'll use that method first.

The same supermarket sells graduated 1L jugs for a tenth of the price of the dedicated photo equivalent.
 
I just prise the canister open at the slot with my fingers and unfold the cassette , makes life easier as one less item in the changing bag . I did have a roll of 120 explode into life inside the bag Sunday and somehow manage to wrap around everything though :D

Paul
 
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freecom2 said:
As for ensuring I don't shoot it again? Easy. I mark all the shot rolls clearly, and they are stored in a separate, completely different place to my fresh film stock.
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Even if you don't do that, it's very obvious by the condition of the leader if it has already been in a camera.


Steve.
 
through the felt trap is a no no for me, i use ilford openers and sadly they've been discontinued and we're on our last few. One way is to poke a spoon handle into the light trap and then shove your thumb in and bust it open, obviously you do this at your risk. Another is to grasp the cassette by the side and press it against a workshop top and pull up firmly. Another nother way is to send it off. :)
 
ive got a bottle opener from a boat i worked on and its spot on nice big handle and ive had no issues with it opening 35mm tins and beer
 
Steve Smith said:
Even if you don't do that, it's very obvious by the condition of the leader if it has already been in a camera.
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True - I'm always surprised when people say they accidentally re-shot a roll of film.

Bottle opener does the trick; I didn't even know there were dedicated film canister openers (i.e. film manufacturer branded bottle openers) until I used an Ilford one - but my preference is always through the light trap.
 
freecom2 said:
True - I'm always surprised when people say they accidentally re-shot a roll of film.

Bottle opener does the trick; I didn't even know there were dedicated film canister openers (i.e. film manufacturer branded bottle openers) until I used an Ilford one - but my preference is always through the light trap.
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freecom2 said:
True - I'm always surprised when people say they accidentally re-shot a roll of film.

Bottle opener does the trick; I didn't even know there were dedicated film canister openers (i.e. film manufacturer branded bottle openers) until I used an Ilford one - but my preference is always through the light trap.
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Or if you do want to wind the leader in, get an Ilford leader retriever.


Steve.
 
In always having issues trying to get film out of canisters - going to try pulling it out through the light trap! The spoon method sounds good :D
 
mothdust said:
In always having issues trying to get film out of canisters - going to try pulling it out through the light trap! The spoon method sounds good :D
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i learned this trick when my buster snapped, i turned it round and did it this way, a table spoon handle will do the trick.
 
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