David C , May 27, 2009; 12:26 p.m.
Usually use a Nikon F6 that keeps the leader out. Now trying out a Leica MP and wound the leader all the way back.
Rather than buying a fancy film retriever, can I use a bottle cap opener to pry open the canister?
Walter Degroot 
, May 27, 2009; 12:34 p.m.
no don't if you have a old piece of film you can make a retriever
if you open the cart a lab may not accept the film.
http://people.rit.edu/andpph/pf-faq/faq-28.html
note 28 film leader
WARNING BE CAREFUL
this cheap tool can tear the sprocket holes so be gentle
Will Maes , May 27, 2009; 12:35 p.m.
I don't know what you mean by "fancy" film retriever. I got one, didn't cost that much and works perfectly. If you want to use the canister again in your camera, don't fuss around with a bottle cap opener.
Will Maes , May 27, 2009; 12:40 p.m.
Mike Bischof , May 27, 2009; 12:45 p.m.
Unless it is a self-loaded film canister, go ahead and use a bottle opener (or whatever) to "pop the top" -- when you do your own developing it's a lot less likely to scratch the film when you get the film out that way, rather than through the felt strip again.
P.S. Don't flame me if you have used a film retriever for 25 years and have never scratched your film ;-)
John O'Keefe-Odom 
, May 27, 2009; 01:54 p.m.
If you have a minilab in your area, and you have no success with the homemade leader retriever, just go to the lab and ask them to pull the leader. They usually have a tabletop machine that does this for them. Using it is part of the loading procedure for the machines that will develop your negatives automatically. Probably fish it out for you at no charge.
Frank Schifano , May 27, 2009; 02:47 p.m.
Look, if you're going to process the film yourself, then go ahead and pry it open with an old fashioned can/bottle opener. If it's a reloadable cassette, then you won't need the opener; but you already know that if you had loaded it in the first place. If you're sending it to a lab, do nothing. The lab will retrieve the leader when they process the film.
David C , May 27, 2009; 03:35 p.m.
Thanks. I process my own film. It's been so long since I last had to get film out of a canister other then just pulling on the leader, I forgot how. Presently, I am using Kodak Tri-X, Plus-X and Fuji Neopan so the canisters won't be reused.
Stephen Cumblidge , May 27, 2009; 03:41 p.m.
Just rip the thing open with your hands in the darkroom. They aren't that tough.
Walter Degroot , May 27, 2009; 08:54 p.m.
the RIT method seemed to work when I tried it
a better tool could be made.
I read all the otther methods and the Dymo tape method seems workable,
