645 / 645N: Change backs in dark?

andycogbill · 05-10-2010, 12:06 PM

For both of these cameras, is it possible to go into a completely dark room and change the backs mid-roll? Or is there some auto-wind feature that kicks in to attempt to save the film?

I would like to re-allocate my film choices

Adam · 05-10-2010, 12:29 PM

You can pop it right out, but it's really got to be 100% dark in there! The only protective 'mechanism' for the 645 films is the little black flap of paper at both ends of the roll.

Smolk · 05-10-2010, 01:55 PM

But isn't there a problem with counting? Or would it be safe to take note of the number of exposures on the film and take that number of shots with the lens cap on and selecting flash sync speed?

That could be interesting with a film changing bag or box.

Adam · 05-10-2010, 03:23 PM

Won't it be all set once the last shot has been taken? The camera should be able to detect this.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

D W · 05-10-2010, 07:20 PM

It doesn't really work like that.

Two methods that I have tried:

1. Put film holder into the box - but when it is put back in camera the film will be advance to frame one from the start arrow so a few frames will be "lost".

2. After removal of film holder, rewind the film back to beginning. Mark frame number on backing paper. reload film and advance with lens cap on to frame "XX" - but since the film and backing paper is only attached together by a piece of tape at the beginning of the roll, re-rolling it in the dark is quite a chore. Also when reusing film this way there might be compromise in film position. I have seen creases in the backing paper when this method was used.

Most of the time I use camera 2 (a luxury) or just burn to the end of the roll

andycogbill · 05-11-2010, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by D W

Most of the time I use camera 2 (a luxury) or just burn to the end of the roll

Yeah, I'm actually up to 3 645 bodies but only 2 N's and one older 645. I like the matrix meter in the N better and would love to be able to choose which film rolls behind it...

Sounds like I basically can't / shouldn't, though. Would have no problem burning film if each frame didn't cost me about $1, with film purchasing and developing costs included!

GeneV · 05-12-2010, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by andycogbill

Yeah, I'm actually up to 3 645 bodies but only 2 N's and one older 645. I like the matrix meter in the N better and would love to be able to choose which film rolls behind it...

Sounds like I basically can't / shouldn't, though. Would have no problem burning film if each frame didn't cost me about $1, with film purchasing and developing costs included!

A good argument against 220. I have not found a way to do this practically, either. If weight is not a factor, as cheap as 645 bodies are, it occurs to me you don't have to burn too many rolls to make it cost effective to have a spare. If I shot much E6 these days, I'd definitely give it a body of its own.

Steve Beswick · 05-16-2010, 07:20 PM

Call me biased, but maybe you should switch to a system with interchangeable backs.

andycogbill · 05-17-2010, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by Steve Beswick

Call me biased, but maybe you should switch to a system with interchangeable backs.

Considering your signature, you're biased

05-10-2010, 12:06 PM	#1
andycogbill Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 74	645 / 645N: Change backs in dark? For both of these cameras, is it possible to go into a completely dark room and change the backs mid-roll? Or is there some auto-wind feature that kicks in to attempt to save the film? I would like to re-allocate my film choices

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 645/645N equipment	caretatra	Sold Items	8	05-13-2010 12:47 AM
645 vs 645N inputs Please	dantuyhoa	Pentax Medium Format	18	03-04-2009 02:05 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 645 mintish complete with two backs	bobjames	Sold Items	8	11-19-2008 07:36 AM

05-10-2010, 12:29 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,124	You can pop it right out, but it's really got to be 100% dark in there! The only protective 'mechanism' for the 645 films is the little black flap of paper at both ends of the roll.

05-10-2010, 01:55 PM	#3
Smolk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Eerbeek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,760	But isn't there a problem with counting? Or would it be safe to take note of the number of exposures on the film and take that number of shots with the lens cap on and selecting flash sync speed? That could be interesting with a film changing bag or box.

05-10-2010, 03:23 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,124	Won't it be all set once the last shot has been taken? The camera should be able to detect this. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

05-10-2010, 07:20 PM	#5
D W Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hogtown, ON, Canada Posts: 329	It doesn't really work like that. Two methods that I have tried: 1. Put film holder into the box - but when it is put back in camera the film will be advance to frame one from the start arrow so a few frames will be "lost". 2. After removal of film holder, rewind the film back to beginning. Mark frame number on backing paper. reload film and advance with lens cap on to frame "XX" - but since the film and backing paper is only attached together by a piece of tape at the beginning of the roll, re-rolling it in the dark is quite a chore. Also when reusing film this way there might be compromise in film position. I have seen creases in the backing paper when this method was used. Most of the time I use camera 2 (a luxury) or just burn to the end of the roll

05-11-2010, 06:35 AM	#6
andycogbill Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 74 Original Poster	Originally posted by D W Most of the time I use camera 2 (a luxury) or just burn to the end of the roll Yeah, I'm actually up to 3 645 bodies but only 2 N's and one older 645. I like the matrix meter in the N better and would love to be able to choose which film rolls behind it... Sounds like I basically can't / shouldn't, though. Would have no problem burning film if each frame didn't cost me about $1, with film purchasing and developing costs included!

05-12-2010, 06:06 AM	#7
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by andycogbill Yeah, I'm actually up to 3 645 bodies but only 2 N's and one older 645. I like the matrix meter in the N better and would love to be able to choose which film rolls behind it... Sounds like I basically can't / shouldn't, though. Would have no problem burning film if each frame didn't cost me about $1, with film purchasing and developing costs included! A good argument against 220. I have not found a way to do this practically, either. If weight is not a factor, as cheap as 645 bodies are, it occurs to me you don't have to burn too many rolls to make it cost effective to have a spare. If I shot much E6 these days, I'd definitely give it a body of its own.

05-16-2010, 07:20 PM	#8
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Call me biased, but maybe you should switch to a system with interchangeable backs.

05-17-2010, 06:17 AM	#9
andycogbill Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 74 Original Poster	Originally posted by Steve Beswick Call me biased, but maybe you should switch to a system with interchangeable backs. Considering your signature, you're biased

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search