I am certain many of the 8×11 users out there remember a time when the Minox 8×11 used film cassettes were available on the market, mainly by being purchased from laboratories such as Blue Moon, or from those excellent labs in Germany. Indeed, labs were largely disposing off the cassettes, but at some point they started to sell these to Minox users who wanted to reload their own.
Early 2000. The 8×11 used film cassettes become scarcer and scarcer; labs are not selling them anymore, not in the quantities they used to. My last lot purchased (100 cassettes) was in 2008, for instance; I considered myself lucky at the time. Main source of reloadable 8×11 cassettes starts to be a widely known website, in lots of 5, 10 or more (but this became rarer and rarer), or simply purchase expired film in old cassettes, shooting or disposing of the film, and using the cassette for reloads. Available were old film cassettes made by Minox, Acmel, Yashica.
There were no attempts to build such 8×11 film cassettes in this period, as far as I know. Come 2012 or so, the 8×11 brass film cassette appeared, courtesy of a rather inventive Minox enthusiast (Jimmy Li), in China. His 8×11 film cassette was very well made and virtually indestructible. They were received with a healthy enthusiasm by the Minox community and were quite sought after. These are not available anymore. You can read my review on this item here.
A couple other attempts were made in the last 10 yrs or so, with more or less success, in order to bring to the market an as similar film cassette to Minox ones as possible. Some of these attempts were made using metal, even some models being made by 3D printing. The info here is what I have seen and read in the last years, from various sources.
Why is that making a 8×11 film cassette appears so difficult to make? Well, the 8×11 film cassettes are a strange animal: to start with, they need to be built at extremely tight tolerance, and I mean it. Any build error and these will jam your camera, with possible dire consequences. They have to be light tight, and this is paramount of course. They have to be resistant enough that they will survive a normal handling, so you may reload it for as many as 5 to 10 reloads, or more. And not least, they have to be available and affordable.
Enters Ausgeknipst 8×11 film cassette. Late 2025, I was asked if I could review some of their products, aimed at the 8×11 film camera users.
Cassette holder
Length: 48.2mm (same as Minox)
Width: 10.1mm (same as Minox)
Thickness: 13.1mm (Minox is 16.3mm)
Material: it appears to be some sort of resin, 3D printed I believe. Scratch resistant, bearing the logo of the producer on upper side, with “Minox 8×11 – 1522” underneath. It reminds me of the famous Makrolon; however, I was told by the manufacturer that the material is called “PLA+”.
The measurements of the cassette itself are similar to those of the Minox 8×11 original cassette; obviously, there can be no differences.
The cassette is sturdy, with a bit of a plus in the resistance factor, I would say. The bridge bends ever so slightly less than the Minox one, but without noticeable danger of breaking. There are no markings whatsoever onto the cassette itself, but the material is smooth on the surface of it, so one may affix a small sticker to indicate the film type or such.
The caps are a good fit, both built in such a way that they tighten both of the film spools when inserted. This is a good thing, as the light traps are without any felt or similar material to make both of the chambers light tight. From the tests I had run with regular fresh film, I haven’t noticed any light entering any of the spools.
LOADING
It is the same with reloading a Minox cassette, no differences whatsoever. If anything, I felt I have more confidence bending the bridge to bring the leader into the take up chamber.
I haven’t loaded more than 40 exposures in one strip, which is what I always recommend to those who reload their own cassettes. Obvious reason is not to put unnecessary stress on the cassette or camera.
SCRATCH FACTOR
While I noticed some minor scratches in the film freshly loaded, I cannot say for certain these came from the light traps; these have no felt, but under inspection the slits are uniform with no sign or protrusion which may harm the film.
As you obviously are aware, scratches can occur in certain situations: dust in the film gate inside the camera, dust gathered inside the film cutter, or even inside the cassette holder. That is why dusting off all of these has to be a regular thing. I know is a pain, but a minute scratch on a 8×11 frame is going to show the size of a boulder on your scans. As always, oen should take great care to ensure the film is cut and loaded in dust-free environment, keep your camera clean, etc.
CAPS FITTING
Already spoke of this; the fit is tight, which practically closes the slit just enough or light to not enter, but not so tight as to make the slit a razor for the film strip.
FILM TRANSPORT
I haven’t encountered issues here; provided you have cut the film correctly (straight edges, proper length of strip – max 40 exp, no chips or uneven/wobbly margins), the transport should be flawless.
MINOX DEVELOPING TANK FIT
I have developed the test film by means of the Minox Dev Tank. I have not encountered any issues with the fitting of the cassette into the tank recess. Works flawless.
CAMERA FITTING
I have tested the cassette with the following cameras:
Minox Riga (1941 – USSR)
No issues with fitting the cassette into the film chamber. Mind you, not all the Riga cameras behave the same, so caveat.
Minox A/IIIs
No issues.
Minox B
No issues.
Minox C
No issues.
Minox EC
No issues.
Minox BL
No issues.
Minox LX
No issues.
Yashica Atoron
No issues.
Revue Mini Star (identical with Yashica Atoron)
No issues.
Acmel MX
No issues.
FRAME SPACING
I haven’t noticed any issues with the frame spacing. The space between frames is the regular one, which is 0.8 to 1mm, with the obvious differences in spacing as per type of take-up spool and camera of choice. This is valid if your camera has no mechanical faults.
COST
I find the price to be quite fitting the value of this item. I believe it is sturdier than the Minox original one, and as such, can be of service for many reloads, given the attention and care necessary. Alternating cassettes. Such as having 2 or three and using these alternatively is a good habit, and it will make your cassette keep longer.
AVAILABILITY
This 8×11 cassette is readily available in the Ausgeknipst shop online here:
MY CONCLUSION
Sturdy, light, exceptionally well-made, priced for value and available. A lot of work and not a small amount of ingenious creativity was put into this, and it shows.
DISCLAIMER
I have been a Minox 8×11 film and camera user for over 25 yrs. The opinions expressed here are solely my own and based on personal experience. I always strive to provide honest and unbiased reviews. Other than being sent these items to be reviewed, I have no affiliation or commercial interest to the manufacturer, and this review was not sponsored or paid by any means. This product has been found to be satisfactory for my own use, and in no way it is implied that your own experience will be similar. Cameras can have different mechanical conditions, film can have different thickness than the one used to make this review, handling can be different than mine, and so forth. All these can affect your usage of this product, and I strongly advise to make your own judgement on the product reviewed here.