Can any film cameras switch rolls mid-film and return to the same frame later?

Asked 1/31/2014

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I’m looking for a film camera system that lets you stop using a roll partway through, switch to another film, and then later resume the first roll at the correct frame position. Did any cameras support this automatically by encoding information on the film, or is there another practical way to do it with film cameras?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

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That was one of the features of APS (Advanced Photography System), but it wasn't implemented in all APS cameras. Not to mention that film for APS is devilishly difficult to find, and not exactly available in a wide range of types and sensitivities these days. There was a magnetic recording medium provided in the film system for this purpose (along with format notations — APS-C vs APS-H vs pano, for instance — and date/time recording, etc.) APS also provides smaller negs/transparencies in all of its formats than 35mm, so it's probably not a great choice for "serious" photography.

You can, however, manage something similar with drive-incorporating 35mm cameras having an auto-rewind function. There is almost always a "leader out" rewind option on any but the cheapest consumer-oriented cameras (that may mean finding a manual and setting some DIP switches in the battery bay), and the auto-load first frame position is consistent. At 8 sprockets per exposure, the interframe advance is also consistent. That means it would just be a matter of labelling the film canister for the last-used frame number and shooting (with the lens cap on, of course) your way through the frames that have already been used. At worst you'd have to sacrifice a single frame for safety's sake.

Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user2719

12y ago

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Yes, but mostly in limited ways.

APS (Advanced Photography System) was designed with this sort of feature in mind. APS film included a magnetic data layer that could store information such as format and other shooting data, and some APS cameras could rewind a roll mid-roll and later return to the correct frame. The downside is that APS film is now very hard to find, offers fewer film choices, and has a smaller image area than 35mm.

With 35mm cameras, there generally wasn’t a system that marked the film itself for this purpose. Some motorized 35mm cameras can rewind with the leader left out, which makes it easier to reload a partially used roll and advance back to roughly where you were, but it is not the same as a fully automated tracking system.

Another practical solution is medium format cameras with interchangeable film backs, such as Hasselblad 500-series bodies. These let you remove a partially exposed roll in a light-tight back and later continue shooting that same roll without losing your place.

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