Your film cartridge doesn’t have the correct DX code or any at all? You can change that in less than 3 minutes, all you need is a coin and some tape!
What is the DX Code?
The DX code transmits, among other things, the film sensitivity to cameras with corresponding contacts. For this purpose, there is a coding in the form of a checkerboard pattern on the back of the film cartridge.
When the protruding plastic part of the cartridge points to the left, the DX code for the ISO is the top row. Important for us are positions 1 to 4, these indicate the full ISO steps.
Positions 5 to 6 (marked in yellow) only indicate intermediate steps (e.g., ISO 125/160) and few cameras have contacts for these. Just check if your camera has 4 or 6 contacts.
The bottom row of the DX code indicates the number of photos and is also not relevant for us.
Simplest Solution
If you need ISO 25 or 100, the simplest solution is to cover the entire DX code area with a piece of tape. Because all cameras have a default setting for films without a DX code.
This default setting varies between manufacturers and can be found in the camera manual at the very end in the specifications under “non DX Code”.
Here are a few common models and their default settings:
- Olympus mju I/II : 100
- Yashica T4/T5: 100
- Ricoh R1/GR1: 100
- Pentax Espio/IQ: 25
- Canon Prima Super 105: 25
Changing the DX Code
1. First, we look at the cartridge and determine our DX code. When the protruding plastic part of the cartridge points to the left, the DX code for the ISO is the top row.
2. Now we look at the checkerboard pattern to see which ISO we need and what we need to change in the code for it. We ignore positions 5-6.
3. Using sandpaper or even a coin, we scrape contacts free and use narrow strips of tape to cover contacts
No DX Code
If your film cartridge has no DX code at all, but is made of aluminum, you can still work with sanding. It’s best to use another cartridge as a reference for the width and position of the tiles.
If your cartridge is made of plastic, the only option is to buy a DX code sticker and apply it.
0 Comments