[Leica] D'oh! Opened M3 with film inside!

[Frank F]

A 35mm frame is 1 1/2 inches long. A leica camera is roughly 6 inches along
the film plane. There is a bit of  area both sides of the film plane till
the cassette. Say that is 1/2 inch.
Taking these numbers, gives you 4-6 frames that were exposed to light.

However, your already exposed film was also light exposed. How many frames
got exposed?  Who knows.

Assume 3-4 frames should be considered wasted, shoot out the roll.
You may be happily surprised.

Frank Filippone
BMWRed735i at gmail.com


On Sat, Sep 27, 2025 at 11:13 PM Peter Cheyne via LUG <lug at leica-users.org>
wrote:

> Cheers, Peter and Nathan,
>
> I'm going to go with Peter's suggestion and keep using it. The next 4
> frames will be throwaway snapshots and I'll see how the remaining
> frames work out.
>
> At least I wasn't outdoors, so hopefully only about 5 frames are ruined.
>
> Now I know to check for tension on the rewind button, next time!
>
> Will let you know how it works out! Recently moved to Hiroshima, so
> will look for some nice local images to make.
>
> All best,
>
> Peter
>
>
> ........
>
> Totally sympathise, Peter.
>
> I have done the same several times after putting the M3 away for a few
> weeks. It's impossible to sayhow much will go. There are several
> factors, but when I did it a while back (like you I thought the camera
> was empty) I decided to get the film processed. Only about five frames
> were totally ruined. I was extremely lucky.
>
> You won't know how much damage has been done until you develop it. When
> you decide to do that is up to you. Personally I would rewind it and dev
> it now, but it's your call.
>
>
> Peter
> ..............
> I would definitely not use it for further photos. I would develop it to see
> what could be salvaged from the roll.
>
> Been there, done that.
>
> Cheers,
> Nathan
>
> Nathan Wajsman
> photo at frozenlight.eu
>
> http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws
> http://www.greatpix.eu
> http://www.frozenlight.eu
> @nwajsman.bsky.social
>
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