roll film

American  

noun

Photography.

1. a strip of film with space for several exposures, packaged on a spool in roll form so as to permit daylight loading and unloading and ease of handling.

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roll film British  

noun

1. a length of photographic film backed with opaque paper and rolled on a spool

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Etymology

Origin of roll film

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

In 1889, Kodak introduced celluloid roll film, a major advance in the ease, portability and standardization of photographic practice, and the technological catalyst enabling the rise of motion pictures.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2020

I took advantage of the loosened travel restrictions to Cuba, and spend a week wandering around Havana with an old fashioned roll film camera.

From New York Times • Mar. 12, 2018

Domino appeared in the rock 'n' roll film "The Girl Can't Help It" and was among the first black performers to be featured in popular music shows, starring with Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers.

From Time • Oct. 25, 2017

Photographers did this for decades, of course, ever since roll film replaced plate film.

From Washington Post • Mar. 5, 2017

The roll film is the best, as the film pack sticks together and the stubs pull off in the moist, hot climate.

From Through the Brazilian Wilderness by Roosevelt, Theodore