You’re scrolling through Instagram and you see one of your friends post some amazing film photos of their cottage weekend. Immediately filled with the burning desire to take film photos, you rustle around in your basement for your parents' old SLR Film Camera. You go to your local camera and film store and grab a roll of 35mm film. Only one problem, how in the world do you use it? 

Identifying your SLR Camera 

The most common type of camera in film photography is the SLR Camera . SLR stands for single lens reflex, which references the process by which this type of camera produces a photo. A SLR camera allows the user to view their subject through the lens itself via two mirrors within the camera. One of these mirrors is placed directly behind the lens at a 45-degree angle and the other is placed directly above, at a 45-degree angle facing the viewfinder. 

An easy way to identify an SLR-style camera is that the viewfinder is located directly above the lens mount, which is typically accentuated with a large “hood” which houses the viewfinder window. These cameras typically offer interchangeable lens systems as well, offering a range of lenses with different focal lengths that protrude from the camera body. As camera technology advanced, many of the features of fully mechanical SLR cameras became automated in newer models. Modern SLR film cameras often load the film automatically, offer fully automatic settings features, autofocus, and built-in flash systems that make snapping photos a breeze. These cameras are also far more portable and compact, as they are typically made from lighter plastics and usually offer automatic rewind buttons that make removing the film from the camera significantly easier. The 35mm film format was, and currently is, the most common format amongst the average film camera consumer, and so chances are that dusty old camera in your aunt’s attic uses regular 35mm film. Before doing anything with the camera, make sure that it has fresh batteries in it, and test its functionality as best as you can. 

Loading film into a Mechanical (Manual) SLR Camera

Step 1: Find the rewind knob often located on the top left side of the camera body. Pull up on the knob and the back panel of the camera will pop open.

Step 2: Place your 35mm film canister into the port opposite the loading spool, for most SLR models this is the left side of the camera. Make sure that the canister is secure by lowering the rewind knob which should hold it in place. Extend the film leader across the body of the camera, and thread it into the spool on the other side. 

Step 3: Ensure that the sprockets of the camera are locking into the tracks on either side of the 35mm film strip. If the film isn’t secured into these tracks, then it will not load properly. Use the expendable arm of the rewind knob to remove any slack from the film and close the camera back. Then advance two frames by pressing the shutter button and cranking the film advance lever 2 times, to ensure your first photo is taken on fresh, unexposed film. If you have had issues with film not loading correctly after you’ve closed the back, you can fire the shutter and advance one frame with the back open, to ensure you’ve loaded it correctly, and then close the back and advance two frames. You will know if your film is advancing correctly if the rewind dial rotates when you advance each frame.

Unloading Film from a Manual SLR Camera

Step 1: Ensure that you have taken all photos on your roll by checking your photo counter. When you reach the end of your roll and you cannot advance the film anymore, it is important to never force your shutter lever to complete its full rotation. This can lead to broken film spools as well as significant, and in some cases irreparable damage to the camera. Then, locate the rewind button. For most SLRs this can be found on the bottom plate of the camera. 

Step 2: While holding down the rewind button, begin rotating the arm on the rewind dial clockwise to wind the film back into the canister. Some camera models do not require you to hold down the rewind button the entire time you are winding the film. Continue to wind the film back into the canister until you feel considerably less resistance, and then open the back of the camera. 

Step 3: If done correctly, the film should be fully wound back into the canister, and none should be exposed to light. Lift the rewind dial and remove the film from the camera and bring it into Annex Photo to have it developed!

Loading film into an Automatic SLR Camera

Step 1: Ensure the battery is working/charged before attempting to load the film. This may seem obvious, but this is an important step, particularly with automatic loading film cameras. If the battery isn't functional, the camera will not automatically load, and these cameras often do not have a manual loading option.

Step 2: Place the film cartridge into the back of the camera and extend the leader (the film already protruding from the cartridge) across the lens to the other side of the camera. Unlike with SLRs or more mechanical film cameras, you do not need to insert the leader into the spool on the other side of the camera, you just need to ensure the holes on the top and bottom of the film have engaged with the small gear teeth near the intake spool. In some cases, these cameras will have red or orange markers on either side of the intake spool to ensure you pull the film all the way across the camera.

Step 3: Close the back of the camera. As you do this you should hear the camera begin to load the film and advance to the first shot. Some cameras will load the entire roll into the intake spool and begin counting down from shot 36 or 24, while most automatic cameras will just advance to the first shot. If the film counter is still flashing zero at this time it means that the film has not been properly loaded into the camera. If this occurs, repeat step 2.

Unloading Film from an Automatic SLR Camera

Step 1: Most fully automatic film cameras will rewind the film themselves upon completing the roll, but on some models, you must locate the rewind button (either on the bottom or on the back of the camera in most cases) and press that button until you hear the motor inside the camera finish rewinding the film back into the cartridge. 

Step 2: Take your film out of the camera and bring it to your friendly neighbourhood film lab to develop your photos!

Film photography is an incredibly fun and unique way to take photos that stand out in a time of constant photo sharing. It is also a lot more hands on and physical, which attracts a lot of people who want to be engaged with their photo-taking passion. However, it can be very difficult to get started because operating a fully mechanical camera in 2022 can be intimidating! Don’t be discouraged by a couple of blank rolls and try to learn from mistakes you’ve made on earlier attempts. 

If you have any questions about how to load your film correctly, our experts at Annex Photo would be happy to help you out!