How can I make double exposures on a manual film camera without permanently modifying it?
Asked 5/16/2013
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I want to shoot multiple exposures on the same frame with a manual film camera such as the Olympus Trip 35. Some cameras seem to prevent firing again unless the film is advanced. Is there a way to reset the shutter without moving the film, ideally using the camera’s existing controls rather than damaging or permanently modifying the mechanism?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
12
No need to destroy anything — simply depress the rewind lock pin (usually on the base of the camera, directly beneath the sprocket drive) and, depending on the camera, secure the rewind crank with a finger/thumb, while winding on. The rewind lock will disengage the sprocket drive, allowing the shutter to be reset without advancing the film. The reason you may have to also secure the rewind crank is that on some cameras the take-up spool drive is a belt with slippage that doesn't get disengaged along with the sprocket, and while it doesn't produce enough force to completely advance the film, it can cause misregistration, which will not only screw up the image you're trying to create, but make automated processing (which finds the first frame, then does the eight-hole advance automatically thereafter) impossible.
Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2719
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
You usually do not need to modify or damage the camera. On many manual film cameras, including cameras like the Olympus Trip 35, you can use the rewind release/rewind lock button on the bottom of the camera to disengage the film advance while you recock the shutter.
Typical method:
- Take the first shot.
- Press and hold the rewind release button on the camera base.
- Wind the advance lever to recock the shutter.
- On some cameras, lightly hold the rewind crank as well so the film does not shift.
- Take the second exposure.
Why hold the rewind crank? On some designs, part of the take-up mechanism may still move slightly even when the sprocket drive is disengaged, which can cause frame misalignment.
This does not guarantee perfect registration on every camera, but it is the standard non-destructive way to create double exposures on many film bodies. Exact behavior varies by model, so test with a cheap roll first.
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