How To Shoot 35mm Sprocket Photos feat. Lomography Sprocket Rocket, Mamiya RB67 [Instant Guidebook]

On this episode we unleash sprockets and discuss the various ways you can shoot sprocket photography, from specialty 35mm cameras to medium format hacks!
This episode is powered by Wasabi Power. Use code INSTANT for 15% off your first order at www.wasabipower.com/instant
You can catch me on IG at / the.instantgram and contribute to the Patreon at / inaninstantchannel
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[@DeeSnow97]

the "i paid for the whole film, i'm gonna use the whole film" edition frickin love the sprocket rocket, i don't shoot it enough

[@InAnInstant]

Haha EXACTLY Mr. Snow - getting our full money’s worth with these shots

[@GregoryVeizades]

Pro tip for shooting in the RB. Get a length of leader film and use that instead of wasting the first 1/3 of the roll to load into the medium forman backs. Also, 220 film amd 35mm film are all but the same length, so if you have a 220 setting, use that.

[@mcb187]

Some tips with the RB67: 1. If you want to get the most out of your film, don’t just load the canister into the camera like regular 35mm, add about a foot of a leader (developed 35mm, backing paper from 120 cut to size, etc). Just putting the film straight in, you’ll loose about a foot of film, as the camera advances to where 120 usually starts. 2. The frame counter roller is not engaged when you use 35mm normally. You can fix this by putting a price of tape between the center part of the roller near the supply spool, and the other part of the spool near the top of the back, near the frame counter. This gives you more consistent spac, allowing you to get more images per roll, and also, you don’t need to constantly use the double exposure lever. 3. If you don’t want to have to unload the camera in the dark, you can tape your film to a backing paper leader/trailer kind of like 220. This also has the advantage of not needing 35mm-120 adapters, you just load and unload it like a roll of 120. Hope that’s helpful!

[@Will_i_art]

Honestly this is probably the most underrated channel on YT

[@doriskarloff964]

"I'm among the trees now - I don't need to be yelling....."♥ Big love for that. Great video - wonderful scenery.

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks so much DK ♥️

[@joanwerthman4116]

Brilliant as ever. I actually have a love-hate relationship with Lomography cameras. But I’m not that adept at adjusting to them.

[@InAnInstant]

You never know! The Fisheye and Sprocket Rocket in particular really punch above their weight!

[@ManuelBianchiBooks]

I have a tip for you concerning the lomography Spinner: get the spinner motor thing! You can attach it instead of the handle and then use a remote to take the pictures. It's slower than the handle, so you can use it in lower light situations. And you can control how far you will go with the angle. It's really neat. I have to use mine more often.

[@3Gee]

I’ve always digged your sprocket hole photos, and never knew that Lomo made a dedicated camera to achieve this. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to go ahead and click the “buy” button for this Sprocket Rocket!

[@InAnInstant]

Go ahead and smash buy G3!! So glad you were inspired by it

[@helpfulmole]

The vulnerable sequence was great. 10/10 that is why we watch homie. Hell yeah

[@slightlynuts]

Ben, sorry we didn’t really get a chance to talk at Polacon Bay Area, but I have been wanting to tell you that your channel has been very inspiring. This particular video has to be one of the top 5 so far. I hope you keep up the great work!

[@InAnInstant]

Wow I wish we'd had a chance to talk, thank you so so much! Next time!

[@cinesthesia7]

Loved this, man. You're right in my backyard. And I am so glad you had a chance to take in the reset of the wilderness here. I'm excited to try some panorama on my Mamiya RB67. I've been shooting instax on it almost exclusively for the last 2 years. It'll be nice to load some film again for something new.

[@skywithoutend]

As a guy from norcal redwoods are so near and dear to my heart. Everything in this video was so nolstagic and cinematic. Makes me wanna be a one camera guy with just a sprocket rocket......

[@InAnInstant]

I was channeling you my bruddah ❤ - hope we can go out there together some day!

[@skywithoutend]

@@InAnInstant that would be amazingggg. Manifesting it for the future!

[@InAnInstant]

Same here Sunny #SBUforlife

[@tinak.6378]

I did this in school many years ago with my Holga and 35mm b&w re-rolled in a 120 film wrap. This all seems way easier loading wise.

[@qnetx]

I have a Sprocket Rocket that I bought at a thrift store for a few dollars. I thoroughly enjoy it and this video reminded me that I need to shoot with it more often. Thank you for sharing!

[@InAnInstant]

Oh damn that’s such a cool find! Time to get popping!

[@brunoromiti7708]

amazing video! thanks for sharing!

[@TheSecondSomething]

Ooh, great stuff! I've shot some 35mm in a tlr and it was super interesting to compose - especially when you'd have to turn it on its side to get any landscape images. I've yet to try 35mm in my RB which is an itch I've been wanting to scratch too! I love you and I'm in love with you!

[@filmbuff2777]

I've recently started trying out the 35mm adapter for Lomo's Lubitel 166+ & I like the results. Also, as a Twin Peaks fan, it was cool seeing the RR Diner & Snoqualmie Falls too.

[@mk-ej9wr]

The lens on the rocket is truly amazing

[@petepictures]

Your Mamiya shots are great.

[@michael_177]

Cant thank you enough for putting me onto this, Ben. Just got my scans back and WOW. 🔥 Also, best -instant- photography discord of all time 😤

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Michael!!! ♥️♥️

[@noahwheeler1176]

Man such a fun video. It always lights up my day when I see a new post from your channel. Keep up the great work

[@InAnInstant]

Noah that means so much to hear, thank you fam ❤

[@noahwheeler1176]

@@InAnInstant yeah I rarely bother commenting cheesy shit like that on 99.9% of videos but I really mean it and know you see every comment and take it to heart.

[@noahwheeler1176]

I saw a Holga 120 on Craigslist today and now I wanna snag it just to try and see if I can do some sprockety goodness on the cheap

[@InAnInstant]

I appreciate it so much Noah, truly. And grabbing by a Holga for this purpose would be so fun!!

[@nicklopro]

This would be my dream camera for shooting sprocket shots! Subbed! A fun lil camera not to stress about for doing artsy point and shoot stuff. I just posted a video of me doing sprockets in a TLR. At least this time I did vertical shots, but I have done the landscape sprockets with it, which is really a pain to do.

[@SpookyDollhouse]

Fab Twin Peaks shots! Love to see it!

[@InAnInstant]

See you again in 25 years!!

[@brineb58]

Awesome!!! You inspired me to dig out my Sprocket Rocket out again!!!

[@InAnInstant]

heck yes! Get out there and grab that emulsion!

[@joanmichel]

ahhhh fun times!! can't believe I just saw this now :)

[@sazner]

love the content! after stumbling upon this channel i bought a SLR 680 love the pics from it. keep up the good work

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Sarit! Hope you enjoy that 680

[@sazner]

@@InAnInstant I'm amazed how a 40yr old camera has that raw uncut portrait capture you normally have to slap a instagram filter on. Love it!

[@Exxcalibur186]

Ah, you went to North Bend, definitely a bucket list destination for me.

[@InAnInstant]

Absolutely magnificent up there!

[@CREATIVEreviews]

Well you just got me into sprocket photography 👏

[@erkschadeable]

Wonderful!

[@Wouter54321]

Wowww, that 360-camera is insaaaane hahah. What a concept/product!

[@InAnInstant]

Truly one of the craziest cameras ever produced 🕺🏻

[@jeffthatcherphotography]

the thing i see folks forgetting to mention when shooting 35 on 120 backs is the fact that you have to remove the film in a dark bag and manually roll the film back cause medium cameras dont have a film rewind. it is a cool look though

[@dustysprockets1505]

The timing! Currently 3d printing adapters to shoot 35 in my GW690, so 35x90 pano! Awesome video dude!

[@InAnInstant]

Wow that is awesome!! Happy Sprocketeering!

[@mercejofre8309]

hi! where did you find the stl to print them?

[@BotchFrivarg]

Need to try this on my Fujica GL690

[@sv-pw1rb]

I have an old Polaroid 80a (took roll film) that I converted to 35mm. Takes super wide pictures with exposed sprockets love that thing. Just finished converting another to shoot Instax mini

[@vladlapadatescu]

Hello! I've just found your channel and I really like what you do. Can you make explain how do you scan photos with sprockets?

[@jenos83]

The Goose (Mamiya Universal) with a 6x9 back puts out some nice wiiiiiiiiide shots.

[@DylanPackard]

One of my favorite cameras to panorama some 35mm in is probably the no. 2 folding kodak, I had a roll of cinestill 50D in there the other day and got some sick shots of a local farm. That sweet sweet 90mm wide pano-view is always some good ole fun! Now I just need to try my luck at throwing some 35mm in the 6x9 roll back I've got for 4x5. I managed to snag a cheap auto graflex SLR and kinda cludged the roll film holder onto it, I bet that'll make some sick shots. SLR sprocket rocket :D

[@InAnInstant]

/That's such a sick camera to use for that! How did you count the frames or know how much to advance the film by?

[@josephschwartz1883]

I want the Airstream. Just saying ... I really can’t think if anything better than Airstream, redwoods, and … sprockets; why not? Spectacular nature vibe. Kudos.

[@InAnInstant]

It truly was the peak of living being in that Airstream as the rain drummed down at night - I've never slept so deeply!!

[@franciscoramos8872]

A very neat episode. I will again being spending money on another camera getting that spinner! How cool is that. On another note I really love my half frame cameras, such as my 35mm Olympus Pen EE and my 1950 Universal Mercury II. Would be neat to have sprocket photographs of half frame exposures. But idk if that ever existed. Cheers on another great episode.

[@InAnInstant]

I once again regret to inform the academy that I will be spending money 😂 - I hope you enjoy though man! That half-frame camera is a classic, have never owned it but always admired!

[@DeeSnow97]

Wow, half frame photos but with sprockets, now that's a hella cool idea. You'd get almost exactly the same 2:1 aspect ratio as these, while the sprockets on the side would be less distracting if you wanna fill out the frame with your subject, and you'd get four times as many frames. I hope Lomo is reading this, because this idea is just wack enough to fit their style.

[@franciscoramos8872]

@bensnow Yup. Would be really cool to see. Half frame should make a strong comeback with the price of film these days.

[@carltanner9065]

I have a Canon Demi EE17 that I think might be able to do that with 110 film. Haven't tried it but it'd be an interesting experiment. I'd need an adapter to fit the 110 film in the camera's spools, but it'd probably be along the same principle as the 35mm adapter for a Holga.

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

It’s March 2024. Lomo has 2 new color models out now of sprocket rocket. Baha Blue and a cherry red looking color that I don’t remember the name of the color. They are a hoot to photograph with. Sunny days at the beach are best!!

[@InAnInstant]

They are a hoot indeed!

[@ahem6323]

The videos always look like they put so much effort to it. Yet the channel has 17k subs, other than that keep up the good work.

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Ahem!!

[@ryejack]

I love how the sprocket photos look! I'll have to look into some of those options. Maybe the sprocket rocket first, since it's so affordable. One question for you or another commenters: what film scanner are you using? I have a Plustek 8200i and the tray it comes with would cut off the sprocket areas. I looked around for alternate tray options but didn't see any yet.

[@RobertBergan]

Lomography digitalizer

[@Dolle_Man]

Awesome vid! A shame it's only avaliable in black, I want the green one, dang it!

[@see.prash.87]

great video ben! just curious how do u rewind the film in the rb67?

[@InAnInstant]

Good question! Should have mentioned that, my bad - you have to take the back out in a dark bag and rewind manually, which thankfully is very easy!

[@boogabooga5481]

Do you keep the medium format resolution on the 35mm roll?

[@Francois_L_7933]

You can also do some lovely sprockets with the BlackBirdFly. That camera is pretty nice but that viewfinder really needs some getting used to.

[@InAnInstant]

That would be a sick camera to do vertical sprocket shots with!

[@Francois_L_7933]

@@InAnInstant It is really awesome. In reality it's a fantastic portrait machine. One time I tried getting some action shots at the skatepark with mine... that was definitely not the simplest thing to do as it is still a TLR with the flipped viewfinder 😁

[@ariholder4762]

Review the instax mini 90?

[@ericsluver15]

Does anyone know where to purchase the adaptors to use in the Mamiya? I would love to gift this to my boyfriend!

[@Evanna11LilyLuna]

For unknown reasons I only have the the adapters that go on the left, on top /bottom of the 35mm canister. Will it be okay to just tuck the film in the 120 spool on the right? I have a Holga 120gn that I really wanna try sprocket photography with, need to finish my 120 roll in it though, and somehow find some cheap color film :').

[@InAnInstant]

Heyo! Yes I think if you maybe put a piece of tape to hold the leader tab down on the 120 spool that should work. The main benefit of the 3D printed take up spool is it has a notch to catch the 35mm sprocket, but tape should provide a similar utility.

[@petepictures]

I would rather use "Widelux" or "Horizon Perfect" for the wide look and Medium format camera , for sprockets.

[@iknowitwheniseeitandiseeit3978]

How do you trick the camera to advance the full properly? thanks

[@iknowitwheniseeitandiseeit3978]

How do you trick the camera to advance the 35mm with the adapter advance properly? thanks

[@xwinger15]

what do you scan with?

[@InAnInstant]

I use a Negative Supply carrier!

[@dmrain94]

Digging how the whole video is subtly in widescreen. Great touch.

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Daniel! Used my fav aspect ratio for this viddy

[@jasonklemp7209]

So weird seeing a pic from my hometown, any other videos of pics from Cape Cod?

[@InAnInstant]

The Cape appears quite a bit on the channel! It’s scattered throughout the hundred or so videos, will try and think of particularly prominent appearances.

[@AeromaticXD]

I need to get better at using my sprocket rocket, I think the last time I used it I winded a bit too much between shots

[@InAnInstant]

Yeah just make sure you advance to the next dot and you’re okay!

[@monodistortion]

Shout out to the N California area! I grew up in Eureka and live in the area now.

[@InAnInstant]

Oh damn lots of great love for that area in this ep! Recorded even more in Eureka that didn’t make it in. Much love dude!!

[@monodistortion]

@@InAnInstant I hope you got to see The Carson Mansion in Old Town too! That's probably the most iconic Eureka landmark.

[@Exxcalibur186]

I enjoy shooting sprockets with my Yashica 44 (a 127 film TLR). Not really a pano effect, but the sprockets are vertical so the pics have a "film projector" look to them. Plus if you're careful winding you can get like 20 shots on the roll.

[@InAnInstant]

I've got the Yashica 44 and have been wanting to do this! Which adapter did you buy?

[@Exxcalibur186]

@@InAnInstant For some reason KZbin is eating my comments with links in them, but basically you don't need an official adapter. You remove the top interior roller, and just use some stacked pennies to center the film cartridge. Search Yashica 44 35mm for the Feuerbacher tutorial I followed.

[@InAnInstant]

Oh wow thank you!! Can’t wait to try this. So it shoots “square” sprocket photos?

[@Exxcalibur186]

@@InAnInstant not quite square, as there's still a little space on the sides in the 127 frame. I think it's like 9 sprockets high as opposed to MF 6x6 which is like 12 or so. I've tried to make ad hoc devices that click in the sprocket holes and even one of those rotary counters (like they put on Holgas) but they all fail in one way or another (you can't hear the clicks and the rotary counter is inconsistent with spacing). If you have the 44 with the crank arm as opposed to the knob it may just space it correctly for you.

[@InAnInstant]

@@Exxcalibur186 Super cool, I'll be trying this very soon - I have the crank arm so hopefully the whole thing doesn't jam up. A bit of a precarious camera sometimes. Thanks for the heads up!

[@petepictures]

I wouldn't suggest using a Hasselblad, for shooting 35mm film inside, unless you want to risk damaging you camera, it would put much stress on the camera transport

[@henrahmagix]

so it's an XPan 😍

[@InAnInstant]

Actually I don’t even think the XPan can do sprocket coverage! Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But definitely shooting panos with the RB is like getting budget XPan quality!

[@christianannoni6968]

4:25 ehi, i know that hotel!

[@pgpidji4431]

the way my jaw dropped at 5:38 ......

[@ppknr336]

Last year, i was prepared to shoot sprocket photo with polachrome. However...yes. the polachromes(???) has been ran out. Well, i'm out for kodak gold :)

[@InAnInstant]

Oh no!! Well I’ll shoot some in your honor

[@o.l4890]

Wow wow wow hold on ... HOLD ON 1:39 is that the *twin peaks* bridge .... heeeeyyyyy it is twin peaks , say hi to dale cooper :D Edit : 4:18 the RR diner :) nd the waterfall from the opening

[@InAnInstant]

Plenty of Peaks references in this one!! 🌄 was incredible to visit those locations!

[@o.l4890]

@@InAnInstant yeah the waterfall ,the dinner ,the hotel .... etc. I'm both sad that no one got them and happy that you made this . Look like a quite good travel, and you managed to match the mood of the vid very well ... I really wished they shot the return on 35mm film ,the new season looked a bit washed up when it's not in the woods . And the red room look waaaaayyyy better in film colors , skin tones too

[@InAnInstant]

Definitely think the series looked super digital, but that’s also very Lynchian. Nothing beats the look of the original though! Especially Fire Walk With Me!

[@o.l4890]

@@InAnInstant agree ,that film got the best look and production design . The arri look of the new season was good only in specific situations... but it wasn't as bad as the inland empire look ,it was lynchian but the weak dynamic range and 720p was hard to watch and the image aged very badly , that's when film always wins because its something of it's own

[@InAnInstant]

Yeah true, Inland Empire is visually catastrophic, it’s hard to even watch 😂 - there was some concern that The Return would have some similar aesthetic, but thankfully they used the best specs available for modern cine

[@justinsievers2756]

Ben, did you take us out of your basement????

[@InAnInstant]

Oh we shall return to the studio shortly

[@maxdoes_]

Pour one out for the spinner shots in the redwoods 😭 (which I assume don't exist)

[@InAnInstant]

Haha what little exists of them was certainly not worth showing ☠️

[@hanphan2633]

All your videos are GAS-inducing

[@InAnInstant]

For this I will always apologize profusely ⛽️

[@outtathyme5679]

Schprockets

[@InAnInstant]

Absolutely 100%

[@JamieMPhoto]

I killed a Pentax 6x7 with a pano adapter ... watch that wind on the last frame. 💀

[@InAnInstant]

Haha well if you rip it you'll just have a fun DIY project on your hands 😂

[@melody3741]

Sounds like this could be a cheap way to cheat more quality out of a Diana

[@InAnInstant]

Definitely encouraged with the Diana or Holga 🤑

[@colmanmcvaney4295]

i load film into my avocado

[@InAnInstant]

Ok good

[@mk-ej9wr]

Great video, discovered you from instagram.

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks so much for watching mk!