Instamatic Film Slitter

Make a nearly free film slitter. Cut cheap 35mm film down to submini and 110 size. Fill those Holga and Lomo spy cameras with any type of film you want.

Especially useful for reloading Instamatics, since the film is getting hard to find. See my Pocket Instamatic Instructable.

Just get a few used one-time-use cameras free at any photo lab.

I prefer the ones without a flash, but I take what I can get.

ZZZZZZZZzzzZZZ ZZZTTT

The shock you get from the flash unit is molar-melting, so play it safe and get the outdoor, sunny-day, no-flash type cameras if you can.

You'll also need a pack of snap-off cutters from the dollar store, some 5 minute epoxy, a metal nut, and masking tape.

Step 1: Gut the Camera

There are 5 photos in this step. Click the thumbnails under the main picture.

Peel off the paper cover.

Next, remove the front by gently prying up the latches on the sides.

Discard the flash unit and be prepared for you WILL get shocked.

Remove the two plastic flaps on the camera bottom, the inside mechanisms and optics, and back cover.

We just want the camera as a film holder.

Comments

[1n57ruc74bl35]

Rather than risk getting shocked, you should discharge the capacitor.

(Mentioned in the photo, but not the main instructions...)

Take a long screwdriver with an insulated handle (plastic is good) and, as soon as you pop off the front of the camera, touch the metal part of the screwdriver to both leads of the main capacitor at the same time. (It's the black cylinder just behind the flash.) If it was charged, there should be a loud snap.

Now you shouldn't get shocked (much), as you remove the electronics card.

[Artemisthephoenix]

Finally !!! this is exactly what I've been trying to do for an old 8mm movie camera thanks for the instructions :)

[SCKStef]

I works great for my Minox, but for many 110 Instamatic / pocket  cams you need some holes in he film to arm the shutter.

S.

[chaderoo2]

What is a film slitter?

[lukaj2003]

A device used to cut film into a smaller size for cameras which use non-standard 35mm film, like the Instamatic.
Slitting film is much cheaper than buying specially sized reels of film.