Cutting 110 Format Correctly and Loading Cartridges: How to Do It (Even Without Perforation)

Choose a camera that works with unperforated film. Many cameras transport the film by friction or at fixed intervals and will also release the shutter without the “perforation-sensing mechanism.”

If your camera appears on this list, it works with unperforated film.

Our favorites: 110 cameras that work with unperforated film

• Pentax Auto 110 & Auto 110 Super (The classic, works very reliably)
• Rollei A110 & E110
• Canon 110ED & 110FD
• Voigtländer Vitoret 110 EL
• Minox 110S (Experiences vary here; it usually works, but testing is recommended).
• Lomography Lomomatic 110 (new, zone focus), Caution: untested and with push-pull transport (see note below)

Is your camera not on the list? Try this quick self-test:

Remove the cassette, leave the back open (or press the small switch that simulates the “door closed” position), operate the wind lever, and press the shutter button.

Does the shutter release? The camera will probably work with unperforated film.
Is the shutter blocked? The camera requires one perforation per frame.

Note on the Lomomatic 110

Push-pull transport, caution when self-loading: The Lomomatic 110 transports the film every time it is pushed open or pulled closed (push-pull), just like the Agfamatic and the Rollei A110. Bob Janes explicitly considers these models critical cameras for self-loaded cassettes. There is also a known weakness: In the community (r/lomography), several users have reported broken winding mechanisms, even with original Lomography film. We have not tested the Lomomatic 110 with our cassettes, so we simply do not know whether it works. If you try it: use at your own risk.

Why do 110 films have perforations at all?

Classic 110 film normally has one perforation per frame. This serves two important mechanical functions in many cameras:

• Frame spacing: The camera “senses” where the hole is and automatically stops the film advance in the correct position.
• Cocking the shutter: A small pin engages with the hole. Without this resistance, some cameras will not cock the shutter. The advance mechanism turns, but the shutter button is not released.

Are there perforators? (The Thingiverse solution)

Many of you ask us about ways to perforate the film yourselves. There is a well-known project on Thingiverse (the “110 Film Perforator”) that uses injection needles.

We tested it, and our honest conclusion is: It is feasible, but very “hacky.” Handling sharp needles in a changing bag is fiddly, and the results are not always clean. Certainly interesting for tinkerers, but rather difficult for a reliable workflow.

Are you working on a solution? Yes. We (Lars and Vladi) are actually working in our workshop on a mechanical perforator that works cleanly and safely. Mechanically, however, it is quite a tough nut to crack. Until we solve it and can offer you a finished device, we recommend the simpler option: the right camera.

Beware of light leaks

Another issue when self-loading is light tightness. The 110 cassette often uses the backing paper as additional light protection. If you cut the film yourself and load it without paper (“naked”), light can enter through the viewing window on the back of the cassette.

Expert Bob Janes wrote a helpful article about this on the 35mmc blog (“Perfecting the 110 re-load”). Our recommendation:

• As a precaution, securely cover the window on the back of the cassette with black tape (electrical tape).
• Alternatively, you can continue using old backing paper if you have any.

Our system for DIY enthusiasts

Scene from our Minox 8x11 workflow video, in the video from 2:40. In the video, we demonstrate cutting the 9.2 mm Minox example; with the 110 cutter, the process works step by step in exactly the same way.

We try to make the process as easy as possible for you so that the 110 format stays alive. We are not a large company, just two enthusiasts building solutions that are not available to buy elsewhere. This is our current workflow:

• Cutting the film: With our 110 Film Cutter, you can turn any 16 mm film into suitable material.
• Loading: The film goes into our refillable empty cassettes.
• Developing: To make handling easy, we use our special developing reels (for Jobo or Paterson tanks).
• Scanning: Our film holders ensure that the small film lies flat on the scanner.

If you have any questions or are unsure whether your camera is compatible, feel free to contact us.

Keep 110 alive!
Your Vladi

Related guides

• 110 Pocket Film: The complete guide to cutting, loading, developing, and scanning, the complete end-to-end workflow for the 110 format.
• Minox 8x11 Submini Guide: Cutting film, loading cassettes, developing, and scanning, the companion tutorial for the 9.2 mm subminiature format, using almost the same workflow and the same family of tools.