Film Cores 101: A Look At Common Faqs

Posted on: 15 January 2021

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Whether you are just getting into film or you have a collection you wish to preserve or use, the topic of film cores can come up quite frequently. Film cores are the centerpieces that house film as it is being played back on a film reel, but they are also the most adequate item to have if you intend to store your film for long periods. Take a look at a few general questions people tend to have when getting familiar with film cores. 

What is the difference between a film core and a film spool?

While the differentiation can be vague and may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, film cores and film spools do tend to have some noteworthy differences. The film core is typically more vertical and cylindrical in design and allows the user to roll the film around the unit for storage or reeling purposes. Cores do not usually have flared flanges on the top or bottom to directly hold the film in place as it is being unspooled. These flanges can be important when loading the film onto certain types of equipment for playback or reeling, but not usually a necessity. The film spool is normally a more upright shape with flared flanges on the top and bottom that keep the film from slipping out of place during reeling. 

What is a film slot on a film core?

A film slot is a prefabricated slot or cut that runs along the vertical of the core. This film slot is designed so the person installing the film on the core can slip the end of the film into the slot to hold it in place. Not all modern-day film is designed with the trademark tab on the end that is meant for inserting into this slot. Therefore, many modern film cores are now available either with or without a film slot to accommodate the needs of the user. 

What exactly is a high-speed film core?

A high-speed film core is specifically designed to accommodate the quick process of spooling certain types of film. You will usually see noteworthy attributes on these cores because they are designed to hold the film as stable as possible in spite of turning at a high rate of speed. For example, the high-speed film cores are more likely to have a film slot and a narrow center hole for mounting on a smaller piece of equipment. 

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