Digging the sprocket vibe? Oh, hell yeah, me too! I was seriously tempted to grab a sprocket-rocket. Still, since I'm currently not into camera-buying (saving up for that yacht), I decided to get crafty and hack into shooting 35mm shots with my medium format camera. Plus, hacks are like a rollercoaster of fun, my friend!

Listen up; here's the lowdown on what you'll need for this epic DIY adventure. And hey, you might not even have to spend a penny if you already have a medium format camera and a roll of 35mm film lying around. But just in case:

- Get your hands on some black Gaffers tape OR scrounge up some black construction paper and masking tape.

- You'll need a medium format camera with a 120 spool.

- Don't forget to snag a roll of 35mm film. For those stunning shots I took in the lively Quiapo Market area in Manila, I used Agent Shadow 400.

- Oh, and don't forget a darkroom bag or find yourself in a pitch-black room.

- Grab some cardboard, packing foam, or even a paper plate. Trust me, you're gonna need it. You usually get a panorama view with sprockets, but I took the liberty and placed foam around the wider opening to get only one 35mm negative. Try and error and lots of unused film, but fun it was.

Step 1: Lock Down that Light, My Friend!

First things first, amigo. You gotta make sure your camera is light-tight; no light leaks are allowed. Seal up any window on the back of the camera like Fort Knox. Seriously, we don't want any sneaky light ruining our shots. Now, I've got a couple of methods for you, but feel free to get creative if you don't have the same tools I mention below.

Method 1:

Grab some black construction paper.
Color it up with a black marker.
Fold two pieces so they're four sheets thick.
Tape them inside AND outside the camera window, if there is one.

Regular masking tape will do just fine.

Method 2: Let's go wild with several layers of black gaffer tape on both sides this time. Tape it up, my friend, until there's no chance of light crashing this party. None. Zilch.

Step 2: Secure that 35mm Roll, Like a Boss!

Now that your window is sealed like a champ let's ensure the 35mm roll stays put. Grab some cardboard strips (or get these 3D-printed pieces or any similar material). Place these babies above and below the 35mm roll. We want that opposing running perfectly in the middle of the camera with no crooked business.

Remove the leader from the 35mm film roll, feed it through the slot on the empty 120 spools, and tape that led to the 120 spools. Give it a little twist to ensure it catches on (just like you would with a 120-roll). And bam! You're good to go. Oh, and for that extra layer of security, go ahead and tape the back of your camera shut. We don't want any unexpected surprises ruining our role.

Step 3: Shoot, Wind, and Get Your Groove On!

Alright,

My friend, it's time to unleash your photographic prowess. But hold up, how do you know how much to wind? Fear not; try and have fun. Say cheese!

Step 4: Freeing the Film, Manila-Style!

Listen up, my friend, this is crucial. After you've captured the essence of the Quiapo Market in all its glory, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT OPEN THE CAMERA! We don't want any light exposing that sweet roll of film. Instead, take that bad boy to a darkroom bag (or find yourself in a pitch-black room), untape everything carefully, and gently remove the 35mm canister and 120 spools. Now comes the delicate part.

You'll need to rewind the film by hand, my skilled comrade. Twist the knob at the top of the 35mm canister until you feel the negative unwind from the 120 spools and into the 35mm canister. Keep twisting until that film is safely nestled inside the 35mm canister. Treat it like a delicate dance, my friend.

Step 5: Developing the Film and Unveiling the Manila Magic!

It's time to set your film free and witness the sprocket magic unfold. You can either entrust it to a lab or dive into the world of DIY development (Shoot It With Film has all the juicy details if you're feeling adventurous!). And hey, if you're curious about scanning those sprockets, why not ask your lab if they can handle it? Or, if you're feeling like a true DIY hero, grab a flatbed scanner and a negative holder.

Slap those negative holders onto your scanner, and gently place the cut negatives against the holders to keep 'em straight. Scan each frame individually like a pro, my Manila adventurer.

And there you have it, my friend! The medium format camera is your gateway to sprocket-filled wonders. Putting 35mm film in it with this DIY hack is also magical. After capturing the vibrant Quiapo Market area in Manila with those sprockets, it might become a thing of the past. Okay, maybe I'm only slightly joking, but seriously, it's fun! So go out there and let your creativity soar!

Manila Sprocket Adventure