How to use a leader retriever

A leader retriever is a simple tool designed to extract the film leader from a fully wound 35mm film canister. This is useful when a film is accidentally rewound too far or when preparing for film processing.

What you need

• A 35mm film canister with the leader fully wound inside
• A leader retriever

Steps to retrieve the film leader

The leader retriever consists of three thin plastic blades, two of which are movable. Before starting ensure the blades are fully retracted, and

1. Insert the blades
   Insert all three plastic blades gently into the thin opening along the side of the film canister.

2. Extend the first blade
   Moving the first tab closest to the film canister, usually labelled 'A', extend the first plastic blade fully into the film canister.

3. Engage the film
   Rotate the film spool slowly in the direction of winding (clockwise when viewed from the top). As the film moves, you may hear or feel a slight "click" as it slips between the two blades.

4. Extend the second blade
   Moving the second tab furthest away from the film canister, usually labelled 'B', extend the second plastic blade fully into the film cannister.

5. Pull out the leader
   While holding the retriever firmly in place, pull both blades out together. The film leader should come out with them.

Troubleshooting

• If the leader does not emerge, rewind the spool slightly and try again.
• Ensure the blades are inserted correctly—too much force may damage the film edges.
• Some film brands may have tighter or looser spools, requiring slight adjustments in technique.

Alternative method

If a leader retriever is unavailable, a piece of double-sided tape attached to the end of a thin strip of film can sometimes be used to extract the leader. Insert the taped strip, rotate the spool, and gently pull it out.

Using a leader retriever properly can save time and prevent accidental film exposure. Practise with a scrap roll to get comfortable with the process.