loading your first roll of 35mm without wasting it

the order things actually happen in, not the diagram order. written after fogging half a roll on my second camera ever

Never miss an update

This list changes over time. Get a short email when it does.

At most one short email a week. Unfollow in one click.

Check your camera takes standard 35mm cassettes before you buy film

sounds dumb but half-frame and some old rangefinders want something else. check the manual first

Load in shade, never direct sun

the cassette is light-sealed but the leader isn't once it's out. this is where beginners fog a whole roll

Open the back, drop the cassette in the chamber

Pull the leader across and hook it into the take-up spool slots

on older mechanical bodies you have to actually see the sprocket teeth catch. if they don't catch you'll shoot a whole roll of nothing

Close the back and wind on

Watch the rewind knob while you wind

if it's not turning, film isn't advancing. this check has saved me twice

Set the ISO dial to match the film box

Fire off the first two blank frames before you start shooting for real

f/8 and be there, don't overthink the first roll

When you finish, rewind fully and leave the leader tucked in unless you're hand-loading a reel yourself

labs don't need the leader out. only pull it if you're developing at home

Or start a list of your own. Free, it takes a minute.

Related lists