How to Load 35mm Film Without Ruining Your Roll
Step-by-step loading for manual and automatic cameras, plus the one check that guarantees your film is actually advancing.
To load 35mm film in a manual camera: open the back, drop the cartridge into the left chamber, pull the film leader across to the take-up spool and hook it into the slot, advance once to make sure the sprocket teeth engage the holes on both edges, close the back, and advance until the counter reaches 1. Then check that the rewind crank turns as you advance — that's the proof the film is actually moving. Load in the shade, and set the camera's ISO to match your film.
The most common reason a roll comes back blank is film that never caught on the take-up spool. Here's how to load correctly every time.
Before you start
- Load in shade or with your back to the sun. Direct sunlight can fog the start of the roll.
- Check the battery if your camera needs one for the meter or shutter.
- Have the right film — 35mm (also called 135). If you're not sure what to buy, see the best 35mm films for beginners.
How to load 35mm film in a manual camera, step by step
- Open the back. On many manual SLRs (like the Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000), pull the rewind knob on the top left upward until the back pops open. Others have a latch on the side.
- Insert the cartridge. Place it in the left-hand chamber with the protruding spindle at the bottom, then push the rewind knob back down so its fork locks into the cartridge.
- Pull out the leader. Draw the narrow leader across the camera toward the take-up spool on the right. Don't pull out more than you need.
- Attach the leader to the take-up spool. Insert the tip into one of the slots in the spool.
- Advance once with the back open. Fire the shutter and advance the lever. Check that the sprocket teeth engage the perforations on both edges and the film is pulling snugly across the shutter.
- Close the back firmly until it latches.
- Take up the slack. Gently turn the rewind crank in the direction of its arrow until you feel light resistance. Don't force it.
- Advance to frame 1. Fire and advance two or three times until the counter shows 1.
- Watch the rewind crank. As you advance, the crank should turn. If it doesn't, the film isn't moving — open the back (you've only lost the leader) and reload.
- Set the ISO on the camera to match your film's box speed.
Loading automatic cameras
Most point-and-shoots and many autofocus SLRs load themselves:
- Open the back and drop in the cartridge.
- Pull the leader across to the marker (often a colored line or arrow) on the right.
- Make sure the film lies flat across the sprockets.
- Close the back — the camera advances to frame 1 automatically and reads the ISO from the cartridge's DX code.
If the counter shows "E" or blinks after closing, the film didn't catch; open the back and try again.
Common loading mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Leader not caught on take-up spool | Whole roll comes back blank | Watch the rewind crank turn as you advance |
| Sprockets not engaged on both edges | Film slips; overlapping or blank frames | Check both rows of holes before closing |
| Loading in bright sun | First frames fogged | Load in shade |
| Wrong ISO set | Whole roll over- or underexposed | Set ISO immediately after loading |
| Opening the back mid-roll | Light fogs the film | Only open after rewinding |
If a roll does come back blank, our guide to why film comes back blank explains how to tell what happened.
When you finish the roll
When the advance lever stops, don't force it. Rewind the film into the cartridge before opening the back — see how to rewind 35mm film.
FAQ
How do I know if film is loaded correctly?
After closing the back, the rewind crank should rotate each time you advance the film. If it stays still, the film isn't moving and needs to be reloaded.
Can I load film in daylight?
Yes, 35mm film is designed to be loaded in daylight, but do it in shade or with your back to the sun to avoid fogging the first frames.
Why do you advance a few frames after loading?
The first part of the film was exposed to light while loading. Advancing two or three frames moves fresh, unexposed film behind the lens before your first shot.
What ISO should I set when loading film?
The ISO printed on the film box or cartridge (for example, 200 for Kodak Gold 200), unless you plan to push or pull the whole roll.
Need film or a hand with your camera? Stop by our shop at 731 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 (Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed Saturday)) — we're happy to show you how to load your camera. Finished rolls go to our film lab.
Cover photo: Bilby, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0.
Written and reviewed by the Neptune Photo team — the staff behind the counter and in the film lab at our Garden City, NY shop since 1963. Read our editorial policy
