twowindsbear

Have you taught yourself how to load your developing reel? Can you 'do it in the dark,' too?

Nightski

Yes, I have gotten the practice film onto the reel. I have done it a few times with my eyes closed. I have a question. I am using a practice roll that superpijack sent me. It was not in a canister. Once I get the film started in the developing reel, the part of the film that hasn't been loaded yet bumps against the reel while I am loading it. Is that just because it's not in a canister? Will this not be a problem when I am loading a film for real? Will the film go right from the canister to the developing reel? I am worried if the film is bumping into the developing reel that it is getting damaged. It takes two hands to twist the reel, so I can't hold the film away from the reel while I'm rolling it in.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

It shouldn't be a problem. Since the 35mm canisters have guides that let the film pass through with out damage, nice little brush like light filters, when I was loading film onto the reel I left it in the canister (so long as there was a leader exposed) wound it onto the reel using the canister as a weight until I got to the end of the film. Then snip the film / canister off and put it all in the developing tank - one or more reels at a time -, and then recycled the canisters. If using bulk film with Ilford canisters I could pop the ends off and reuse them. Couldn't do that with the crimped Kodak ones.

Don't know if that helps, but that's what I recall doing.

Good luck.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Either way is ok.

If you leave it in the cannister with the tongue hanging out then "start" it outside the changing bag and then when you get into the changing bag, pull the cannister to give yourself several inches of room to wind, and then when that's wound up...do it again. Or if you'd like when you get in the changing bag use a small can opener to pry off the top of the cannister and remove the roll if you like.

Just don't touch the film excessively. It's a bit soft and prone to damage at this point. (don't ask me how I know) :)


If you are using a metal reel, might I suggest the plastic "auto loading" ones from Paterson? They have to be bone dry when you use them but as far as ease of loading, for newbies, they are light years ahead of the metal ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELrSCdSVAvI

corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

i also put the start of the film into the reel outside of the changing bag. dont worry about it being exposed to the light because it has already been pulled out when you loaded the film into the camera. then finish off in the bag, pulling the film from the canister as you go. you will hear it said that this can scratch the film if there is any dust in the canister light trap. i only advise from my own experience and can say that it has never happened to me.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

I take the canister apart so I only have the spool in hand. I use both hands to ratchet the reel. The film will unravel and I then load it until the spool nears the reel opening. I then cut the spool off and continue loading until done.

Nightski

I am relieved that I can load it directly from the canister. Darkroom, I think it would be better if I didn't do what you do until I see how it all works. I didn't know there was a spool inside the film when you take it out of the canister. I am sure you are very good at it, but even after practicing I get my fingers all over that film. I am relieved to know I can pull on that end part.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I'm sure that it has happened to people, especially if canisters are reused, but from what I recall the film is at its most vulnerable when wet, since the emulsions are soft. They are more resilient when dry before or after the developing, fixing and drying process.