Easy DIY Redscale Film

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This is an article introducing how to make homemade redscale film. There are already some fabulous articles about how to make redscale films out there, however, I decided to make one with my method, one that is simpler and easier. This method keeps film frames in order, and it is useful for EBS (Exposing Both Sides of film) trick as well.

Credits: bccbarbosa, selene & cheeso

Materials

You'll only need a few things when making your own redscale film.

  • Color negative film – I recommend films over ISO400
  • Scissors
  • Sellotape
  • Darkroom or changing bag
What to prepare.

Steps in Making Your Own Redscale Film

Go into the darkroom with film, scissors, and sellotape. Take out all the film from the film canister in the dark. Leave 1cm (0.4 inches) at the end of the film, cut the negative from the canister in a straight line with scissors.

Take out film. Cut the film.

Flip the film you just cut, and attach it to the canister side with scotch tape. Try to tape them straight as possible, lining them parallel. This is the challenging part, but you will get used to it soon. Afterward, rewind the film into the canister. If the film is stuck, it might be bent at some points at which point we can simply try it again. Cut the beginning of the film to adjust for the camera to wind.

Flip it and put back on with scotch tape. Rewinding. Adjust the beginning of the film.

When you flip the side of the film, the ISO level goes down two steps. For example, if it's an ISO800 film, it becomes ISO200; ISO400 becomes ISO100 and ISO200 becomes ISO50. If you use this method, you can still keep track of frame numbers, it is easier to organize shots when tackling the EBS method. If you are interested EBS please read about it here.

The color result is different when using different films. From my experience, Kodak gives you more yellow, orange color result, and Fuji gives you more magenta, red color result. Depends on what color you’d like to have on your shot, you can choose the film accordingly. Hope this helps! Let’s try to make our own rosy film and enjoy our redscale life!

If you succeeded in making a redscale film, try these tipsters as well:


We hope you enjoyed @hodachrome's simple yet educational DIY redscale film! Make sure to say thanks by dropping him a message and uploading your redscale shots to your LomoHome.

written by hodachrome on 2013-02-27 #gear #tutorials #film #lc-a #redscale #red-scale #homemade #tipster #technique #handmade #how-to #self-made #how #to #technic #hodachrome #whynotwinnipeg

14 Comments

  1. castiana
    castiana ·

    definitly try this! :}

  2. ivegotjewels
    ivegotjewels ·

    beautiful photos!

  3. muhamad_haiz_shamsudin
    muhamad_haiz_shamsudin ·

    After knowing LOMO redscale films are out of stock, I am definitely going to try this out. Thank you for the useful tip. Cheers!

  4. ilc
    ilc ·

    thanks for the tip, the pics look really cool!

  5. buckshot
    buckshot ·

    Nicely explained! I do it the same way, but with a small difference in step 4: feed the end of the film back into the canister a little bit, underneath the bit of film that's sticking out, align the two pieces of film by feeling along their sides with your fingers, then put the tape over the joint. I find this helps to make sure the film is straight before you wind it back in.

  6. iamtheju
    iamtheju ·

    I always do this by folding and taping. It's just because I worry the tape will unstick. But this is probably better than my way.

  7. feny
    feny ·

    Nice tip! I just tried it with 1600 ISO film.....hope it will work! :D

  8. anamachado
    anamachado ·

    Hello! Just one question. I did this and then when I try to load it to my LC-A+ the film is very "tense" in the oposite direction so the camera can+t wheel it! It's like the little pieces of plastic aren't strong enough to pull the film out of the canister... The Sprocket Rocket have enough strengh, but the LC-A+ just doesn't! And I did wait like 1 week after making the redscale until loading it in the LC-A+... Is there anything I can do? I men you have homemade redscale photos with LC-A+, why does mine simple can't pull the film? Thanks so much in advance and I hope you understand my english. Good article!

  9. dishfish
    dishfish ·

    Will it get completely ruined if I don't do it in a darkroom?
    I don't have access to a room with absolutely no light!

  10. volgolomo
    volgolomo ·

    useful thx

  11. rulito
    rulito ·

    Thnx for sharing! Will try it soon!

  12. badjuju
    badjuju ·

    I am trying this tomorrow! So excited =D

  13. tomczykd
    tomczykd ·

    good idea and easy to do!

  14. leisuresuit
    leisuresuit ·

    Cool. I will try this.

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