OMG I've watched about a dozen of these videos where the presenter tries to twist the cartridge open. It doesn't really work that way. That really is how we opened these back in the old commercial darkroom days but, we weren't ever trying to save the shell. To save the shell you have to carefully run a sharp knife blade along the bonding seam to release the glue/weld. Take your time. Work under a magnifier. You will have a much better result. The other tip I would offer is that the off-brand cartridges (non-Kodak) can be a bit easier to open. Very grateful for the time you invested in presenting this clip.
Thanks so much for the tips. I was doing it for the first time and recorded it so you can see how difficult it really is. I see other videos where it's just already taken apart and they make it look easy.
I have a Kodak Instamatic X-35F. I was fortunate to not have any issues by carefully twisting the cartridge of an expired roll of film. I highly recommend that you save the paper backing so you do not have to cover the opening that shows the number of frames of the 35mm film you place in the cartridge. You will have to cut the 35mm film in the bag so it fits the backing. One roll of 35mm film can make the equivalent of about three 12 exposure 126 cartridges which saves a lot of money. I have reloaded the cartridge several times and just reuse the paper backing over and over. I load the film in a changing bag and do it all by touch. It's not that difficult. I mostly use 200 ISO film. Since the X-35F has a light meter, with the sensor on the body of the camera and not behind the lens, I have placed a neutral density filter to the front of the lens to balance out the readings, effectively getting an accurate reading as if the film were just ISO 100. It has worked very well and I have had excellent results.
This is a good question. I'll have to test this out for you and I'll let you know if they work with the automatic winding cameras and large body Instamatics. Thanks!
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OMG I've watched about a dozen of these videos where the presenter tries to twist the cartridge open. It doesn't really work that way. That really is how we opened these back in the old commercial darkroom days but, we weren't ever trying to save the shell. To save the shell you have to carefully run a sharp knife blade along the bonding seam to release the glue/weld. Take your time. Work under a magnifier. You will have a much better result. The other tip I would offer is that the off-brand cartridges (non-Kodak) can be a bit easier to open. Very grateful for the time you invested in presenting this clip.
Thanks so much for the tips. I was doing it for the first time and recorded it so you can see how difficult it really is. I see other videos where it's just already taken apart and they make it look easy.
Thanks for showing that you’re not scared to experiment/figure out how it opens and works! I will be trying this myself soon- thank you!
I have a Kodak Instamatic X-35F. I was fortunate to not have any issues by carefully twisting the cartridge of an expired roll of film. I highly recommend that you save the paper backing so you do not have to cover the opening that shows the number of frames of the 35mm film you place in the cartridge. You will have to cut the 35mm film in the bag so it fits the backing. One roll of 35mm film can make the equivalent of about three 12 exposure 126 cartridges which saves a lot of money. I have reloaded the cartridge several times and just reuse the paper backing over and over. I load the film in a changing bag and do it all by touch. It's not that difficult. I mostly use 200 ISO film. Since the X-35F has a light meter, with the sensor on the body of the camera and not behind the lens, I have placed a neutral density filter to the front of the lens to balance out the readings, effectively getting an accurate reading as if the film were just ISO 100. It has worked very well and I have had excellent results.
Man vs. Cartridge. The epic struggle. The second one was much cleaner. Still watching….
Thanks! I was hoping for a quick pop open, but it was a bit of a bear. 😄
You helped me a lot I have a kodak 134. it works the pictures are somewhat duller then on the original kodak film. (But that may be my fault)
Good video. Al I wont to know… and more. Thanks!
Glad to help!
Would this work on the higher-end instamatics such as the 7xx / 8xx / x90s? I have a 714 that works, just needs film for it.
This is a good question. I'll have to test this out for you and I'll let you know if they work with the automatic winding cameras and large body Instamatics. Thanks!
I can't vouch for the 714.
If only unperforated 35mm was still available
man, this is barbaric