The Sub Club

RELOADING MINUTE 16 CASSETTES

Minute 16 cassettes are about the hardest submini cassette to reload. There is just one cassette with two chambers. It's a good idea to carefully take the cassette apart and see how it works before trying to reload it -- and then try to reload it with a scrap roll of film with the lights on. The film moves in the opposite direction from what appears to be the way the film transport mechanism works in the camera. The transport moves the film on the backstroke of the wind lever -- rather than the forestroke!

Memorize these instructions since you can't refer to them in the dark; better yet, run through the steps with the lights on with scrap film.
Gather all your items together -- 16mm film, Minute 16 cassette, scissors, and film template.
Wash your hands thoroughly, or use film gloves (obtainable at most camera shops) in order to avoid getting oil or dirt on the film.
With the lights on, figure out how to remove the top of the cassette. This is best done with a very thin screwdriver entering from the back of the cassette. There is a friction pin in the center of the top that pushes into a hole near the middle of the bottom of the cartridge. This hole goes all the way through the bottom of the cartridge. You can push on the pin through the hole with a thin metal rod to help push the top off without putting a lot of pressure on the edge of the top with a screwdriver.
Turn off the lights and remove the top.
Remove the film -- if any -- from the take-up chamber. Make sure you don't loose the film feeder clip or the plessure plate in the dark!
Turn on the lights and completely check the cassette for any loose dirt or film scraps. Remove the film clip and pressure plate.
Turn off the lights.
Cut a 12" length of film, using a template, ruler or whatever you can device. A yardstick with a notch or piece of tape at 12" will work fine. The camera requires perforated film -- either double or single -- but the perforations must be at the top side of the cassette.
Roll up the film tightly with the emulsion side OUTWARD and the perforations on TOP. Then carefully slide it into the film clip. This can be a painful task.
Slip the clip into the feeder chamber making sure to slide the outer clip onto the front edge of the cassette. At the same time, drop the film leader into the take-up chamber -- it should go around once.
Press down the film and then slip the pressure plate behind the film.
Press on the cap.
Turn on a dim light.
Check to make sure that the film is loaded correctly with the top on tight.
Place the reloaded cassette in a protective case. A regular 35mm cassette holder will work fine.
Mark the outside of the case with the type of film.

Don't blame me if you find it impossible to reload.

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