Peter Galuszewski , Dec 29, 2006; 02:38 a.m.
Hi,
I ran several searches and didn't find any relevant threads, but I apologize
if this has been discussed in the past and I was simply toinept to find it:)
Here is my querry:
A friend of mine quite often rewinds mid roll in his Canon EOS cameras, using
the special function that leaves out the leader, and goes back to the same
film later (marking number of frames and leaving some safety frames). Well,
one day his computerized, mechanized wonder ended up in the wrong special
function and rewound the film ALL THE WAY (and it was a totally untouched roll
of film to boot). He gave the results of this menu-driven mishap to me,
hoping that I can find a way to get the film out and use it.
Well, I can't. Can anyone help me? Is there a simple method, a trick perhaps?
Any help is greatly appreciated, as I am sure both him and myself will do this
again at some point. Thanks in advance, and feel free to have a hearty laugh
at our expense, God knows we already have:)
Albert Richardson , Dec 29, 2006; 03:16 a.m.
Is it 35mm film? If so, you have to take the cannister apart in total darkness to get the film out. Once pried open, I would not use the cannister again for fear of not getting the light sealed out properly. Check out bulk loading information to find out how to buy and load a new cannister with the old film. Be careful not to scratch the film or touch it with your bare fingers to prevent oily smudges. Make sure not to wind it backward on a new spool.
Best bet is to simply throw the film away & chalk one up to experience. Simply a lesson to be more careful next time.
Albert
Marc Van Lommel , Dec 29, 2006; 03:50 a.m.
Photo processors have a special hook to retrieve the film form the cannister ... it's almost impossible to open the it without damaging the ring that keeps the cannister closed ...
Gregory Lockrey , Dec 29, 2006; 04:30 a.m.
Put two sided tape on a flexible strip of plastic and insert into the canister till you think you might have a hold on the film. Then pull out. There are $10 gizmoes that you can buy but you can make it yourself.
Barry Sanford , Dec 29, 2006; 08:01 a.m.
Hama makes a gizmo for just this problem.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/
homeO=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=89999&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
If that link doesn't work, just go to B&H website and search for: Hama 35mm
Mike Saxon , Dec 29, 2006; 08:52 a.m.
Similar to Gregory's suggestion:
(1) Cut a 3 -4 inch length of "Dymo" stiff plastic labeling tape (the sort that is embossed with white letters), and peel back the backing ONLY for about 1/2 inch - so that only 1/2 inch is sticky - the rest still has the smooth backing)
(2) Insert the tape into the slot of the film canister - sticky side down so that it is next to the film. Wiggle it in so that all the sticky part is inside the canister, but most of the tape is left out side.
(3) Turn the film spool so that the film rotates away from the canister slot, and you feel that it "grabs" the sticky tape, starting to pull it in to the slot.
(4) Gently pull the tape back out of the slot. Nine times out of ten, it will pull the film leader back out with it, stuck to the end of the Dymo tape.
It is actually easier to do than to describe in words!
Mike
Terence Spross , Dec 29, 2006; 08:57 a.m.
Sticking a piece of double sided sticky tape to another film leader (or useless negative) and probing this leader into the re-wound cassette can work after some trial and error. This method worked for me in a public situation once. (My son rewound the leaders of all ny new rolls.) It required several tries on each roll.
What worked for me was inserting the sticky side facing up a small ways and then reverse winding the roll by hand in the hope the new film leader wound go over the sticky surface and stick well enough to pull out.
Charles Stobbs 
, Dec 29, 2006; 09:50 a.m.
If you go on EBay and do a search for "film picker" you will find several models for $2 or so. A little tricky to use but have patience.
Worth having around if you are a klutz like me.
David W. Griffin 
, Dec 29, 2006; 10:11 a.m.
35mm leader retrievers are pretty common and work great. They look like two slightly bent stainless steel strips. You stick in the lip of the bent steel edge, roll the film forward till it gets caught between the two strips and pull out sharply and the leader comes right out.
You should be able to find this at a large photo store if there are any of those left in America. Barring that B&H Photo has a couple. Try <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=FVvTn4xsWc!219056255!1167404878101?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&shs=leader+retriever&image.x=0&image.y=0>
or just search for leader retriever on their site.
If all else fails, get a changing bag (black double wrapped cloth with two zippers that you can use to achieve total darkness in a light room) pry the side off the roll of film with a bottle opener, and use a reusable cartridge (sold for people like me who buy bulk 50' rolls of film and roll our own cartriges). Roll your film on and close the cartridge and you're ready to load into the camera. But watch out because the camera can no longer detect the ISO.
Alan Rockwood , Dec 29, 2006; 10:42 a.m.
Peter,
Several people have already mentioned the little gizzmos used to pull the film leader out of the can. They are made of two pieces of bent metal. I bought one at a local photo store and it works pretty well most of the time, but if you don't want to spend the money to buy the film puller then why not go down to the local drug store, you know, the one with the one hour photo lab? They will have a machine for pulling the leader out of the can. Ask them if they will do it for you as a favor.
Alan
