Film Leader Retriever

I accidentally let my film roll all the way back into the cassette and wanted to use a Daylight Developing box so needed to get the leader out. It was an expensive purchase but I could not see a way of retrieving the leader.One purchased I followed the instructions to a 'T' but the hardest part is trying to hear the click when the film leader does get hold of the extractor. After about 15 attempts (I am a glutton at trying to get things right) I never, ever, managed to get the leader out of the spool. On the last attempt the leader from the extractor bent severely and became useless.

After some practice works consistently for me. Here's what I do (I'm left handed and not sure if this will need adjusting for right handers):- hold film in my left hand with turning knob at top.- rotate knob a few times anticlockwise as looking down on it.- fully retract the small tongue on the retriever so as little is showing as possible- with the retriever in my right hand held such as I can see the word 'kaiser' upright, insert whole lot including small tongue into the slot in the film cartridge- rotate the turning knob (anticlockwise again) until you hear a click. I guess I turn it at about 1 rev per second but sometimes varying the speed or stopping and starting helps. This click is like the corner of the negative being flicked buy a fingernail - not loud but distinct. I hold the hold the thing to my ear to ensure I catch it, but if I miss it I can just keep turning as it will come round again.- hold the turning knob in place- push the knob on the retriever in so as to push the small tongue fully into the cartridge- rotate the knob on the cartridge, clockwise this time, until it becomes stiff - about 1 or 2 turns I guess- pull the retriever out and hope the film comes with it. If not, repeat from the beginning.

Perfectly functional device for retrieving 35mm film from can.It takes a little getting used to and doesn't work every time, but I think that's not the fault of the design - probably my technique. I've always managed to retrieve the film, though sometimes it takes 5 or 6 goes. I have not experienced any scratching of film using this device and method [having used it on 6 rolls of film].The only alternative is to have a film canister opener which introduces other potential probelms.

A good well made item, but I have been unble to make it work so far.

I have recently decided to try to develop my own film at home and have been given everything I need except the ability to load the film onto the spool in the dark! I just can't seem to get the hang of it so this is a godsend allowing me to retrieve the film leader and load the beginning before putting everything into the darkbag. Perfect.

Save your money

I bought this as I'd had trouble with 2 rolls of fairly expensive film and I'd lost the film leaders. Sure enough, this works well enough to find those pesky leaders so I don't have to waste rolls of film ever again! I am also looking into double exposure of film so this will be great for that too!

Excellent just what I wanted