35mm Film in 126 Cartridge

How to fill a 126 cartridge with 35mm film for use in Kodak Instamatic (and many other) cameras.

Article can be found here:
http://www.betweenthesprockets.com/?page_id=17

Check out my Instamatic photo set here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasmus/sets/72157618660804808/

For those wanting the 126 film, you can still buy some new here:
http://frugalphotographer.com/cat126.htm
It's not not cheap, but you only need one for the cartridge.

(sorry for not replying to separate comments, but every time I try I get an error)

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• photography
• camera
• film
• 35mm
• instamatic
• retro
• lomo
• lomography
• howto
• how to
• 126
• cartridge
• kodak
• reload

[shadowxxxremnants]

You proabably hate all these questions, but I have one more. :) These cameras work without the 'flashcubes' that came with them, correct? You just have to accurately judge aperture??

Thanks for this awesome howto, I now have another functional camera!

[jasonmus]

@shadowxxxremnants Most Instamatic cameras are fixed aperture cameras. There is a dial on them that changes the shutter speed for Day, Cloudy / Shady and Flash exposures. With limited shutter speeds and a fixed aperture, these cameras rely heavily on film selection and the latitude of the film.

I normally use 200 iso film. I have used 400 iso film but have found on brighter days it will overexpose a fair bit. Anything from 100 - 200 iso will get good results.

[larenh]

Hi there! This is a great video! Thanks for making it! I just bought an instamatic 314 for $5 at a little thrift store and I have a question. After I have taken all the pictures and I'm ready to have them processed, is there a place I could take the film where they could give me prints? Or is there a way to develop the negatives myself without a film scanner? The lady at the store told me it took 35mm film which obviously it doesn't without doing what you've said in the video! Thanks!

[jasonmus]

@larenh It would be difficult to get a minilab to do prints from these negatives. Since the images on the negative are not the same dimensions as a regular 35mm camera, the automated machines that most minilabs use would miss or miss-align photos. The best you could do would be to find a minilab that would have a go for you and see how well their machine does. You would need to explain heavily, as i'm sure they'll have no idea what you're talking about. You won't get the sprocket holes either.

[L0LUNIC0RN]

When getting them developed, would you have to specify that the negatives aren't in the original metal canister? In case they open the plastic one?

[jasonmus]

@L0LUNIC0RN Yes, I'm always very careful to make sure they understand there is only film in there, not in a canister, please don't open that container outside of a dark bag. I haven't had any issues yet.

[thecommercialedge]

I got my Konica cartridge open really easily. Yahoo now I'm ready to shoot Portra with my Rolleiflex SL26 :-D

[mrghosty2010]

@Ghiles13 Is it not opening on the sides? In that case, just use a Stanley knife. Worked for me. ;P

Don't be afraid to use some brute force if neccessary either; at the end of the day, these cartridges were made to stay together.

[Ghiles13]

Not that easy to open the cartridge

[sisforshenanigans]

Gonna try this for my Olympus Quickmatic. 

[chesterlott821]

I want this video on my OT-C717 unit.

[sunshine10000100]

PERFECT. I'm a photography degree student. Just bought this camera for £2.00 YESSSSSS.

[52DODGEM37]

You can still buy 126 flim at Blue Moon Camera here in Portland Oregon

[joepac12]

GREAT video! I've got a question. I recently picked up a Magicube X50 Camera. In the video you said that I must advance at least twice. However, my camera has an advancing wheel that you spin with your thumb that only allows you to advance once instead of a switch that allows you to switch multiple times. Is it still possible for me to take pictures with this film mod on my camera?

[mrghosty2010]

OH YES! I have a 126 cartridge! I love eBay! And, it only expired 10 years ago! Time for some lomography me thinks! That cartridge must have been one of the last made, as Kodak discontinued the film on December 31st 1999. Oh, and I also got an Instamatic 36 with the film! As if I didn't have enough Instamatics! :D