Abstract: A photographic element cassette is encoded with format information (CEFI) for automatically configuring a compatible variable format camera in a selected format. According to the invention, the cassette is provided with a camera readable feature encoded with a selected exposure format that automatically sets and maintains the camera for the selected exposure format. A variable format photographic camera is also provided for use with the CEFI encoded cassette, having features responsive to the CEFI code on the cassette so that the encoded format is automatically set and maintained as long as the cassette is in the camera. A method for controlling the exposure of an entire roll of a photographic element with a consistent format in a variable format camera with or without mid roll interruption is also preferably provided.