Gloves when loading film reels?

[rjbuzzclick]

Hello,

I'm curious as to how many of you use cotton gloves when loading film reels, either in or out of a changing bag. I use a changing bag and dislike wearing them, but also dislike it when my hands get sticky during a particularly difficult film load. I now just wear one on my right hand that holds the film, and not on my left hand that spins the metal reel. This seems to give me a better feel when starting the film on the reel, but lessens the amount I actually touch the film with my bare hands. Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Merkin]

I just scrub my hands really well with a fairly harsh soap. This keeps them dried out and reasonably oil-free long enough to get my loading done. With gloves, I would be afraid of too much lint getting on my film.

 

[DRabbit]

I never thought about it, but after my trouble today I can't imagine wearing gloves, and with all the issues I was having I probably touched the film A LOT. I haven't scanned them yet, but them seem to be okay... we shall see!

 

[Mackinaw]

Clean, bare hands for me. i tried cotton gloves but couldn't feel the film properly which, of course, is important, since I use a changing bag.

Jim B.

 

[Santafecino]

I never wear gloves. I make sure my hands are dry and make every effort not to touch the emulsion.

 

[Livesteamer]

Another vote here for clean dry hands. Moisture on your hands is a killer but if they are clean and dry the metal reel loads quickly and easily. Dry hands will let the film slide easily thru your fingers. Joe

 

[BillBingham2]

No gloves. Clean dry hands is the only way to go.

Also, only touch the film by the edges.

B2 (;->

 

[nikon_sam]

I've never worn gloves, in a changing bag, nor have I thought about doing that...I need to feel what's going on in there and "Yes" I've had a few tough rolls that cause some slight sweating...I really didn't see anything on the film to worry about...

 

[Al Kaplan]

Just don't touch anything but the edges of the film and there's no need for gloves. I have a few reels that are a bit bent and need care and gentle nudging to getting the film to feed into the spirals properly. I'd never be able to do that with gloves. My darkroom is air conditioned.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com

 

[shadowfox]

Agree with clean, bare hands approach.

Also the absence of a clip helps. I struggle more with the clip than the film itself, I'd like to get a few more clip-less steel reels, but so far I have been unsuccessful in locating them.

Anybody got a pointer?

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I've never worn gloves, in a changing bag, nor have I thought about doing that...I need to feel what's going on in there and "Yes" I've had a few tough rolls that cause some slight sweating...I really didn't see anything on the film to worry about...

My thoughts exactly!, I've often been advised to wear gloves during the various processes, but never had any problems in fifty years!. Come to think of it - when I was a young apprentice, the fitter that I worked with advised me to wear boxing gloves - in bed at night!.....I disregarded that advice too!😛
Dave.

 

[venchka]

Disposable first aid latex gloves every time I handle all film. Sheet film in holders & in and out of the Jobo tanks. Bulk loading 35mm. Roll film on reels and out of reels. In & out of scanner holders and archival sleeves. My fingers never touch film.

YMMV

 

[Keith]

I really don't know how people cope with changing bags in high temerature high humidity areas. I only use mine for loading 100ft rolls into my bulk loaders which is pretty simple ... and even that pi$$es me off!

As said ... cotton gloves destroy the feel of what you are doing and can be a little linty!

 

[Freakscene]

For most of the first 25 years of my life I lived where Keith lives - I simply had to find air conditioning to do anything with film in spring, summer and most of autumn. I don't wear gloves when I develop film, just clean dry hands, but keeping them dry in Brisbane without air conditioning from late September to late April was always difficult. Hewes reels help a lot too.

Marty

 

[gns]

Agree with clean, bare hands approach.

Also the absence of a clip helps. I struggle more with the clip than the film itself, I'd like to get a few more clip-less steel reels, but so far I have been unsuccessful in locating them.

Anybody got a pointer?

Can't you just not use the clip? Some of my reels have weird clips that I just ignore.

Never even heard of anyone wearing gloves to load reels before this.

Cheers,
Gary

 

[newspaperguy]

Personally, I never use them... just be sure to handle film by the edges.

Many years ago, I worked PT for a commercial film processor where thin
cotton gloves were mandated, and changed (discarded) frequently.

 

[Rob-F]

I wash my hands with Neutrogena soap, which takes the oil out of the skin for 20 minutes or so. I don't keep gloves in my darkroom.

@ Shadowfox: I do use the clip with 35mm. It causes me no problems. But with 120, the clip makes it tough to center the film properly; and in the process of trying, I flex the film too much, making static crinkle marks. So now I am experimenting with using a reel with no clip. The only problem is that the film wants to slip back towards the center of the reel and pile up there. So a new skill is required to keep that from happening. One idea is to start the film and then tape it to the stainless crosswire with a 1/2" of masking tape. It's much easier to center the film without the clip!

 

[gilpen123]

I really don't know how people cope with changing bags in high temerature high humidity areas. I only use mine for loading 100ft rolls into my bulk loaders which is pretty simple ... and even that pi$$es me off!

As said ... cotton gloves destroy the feel of what you are doing and can be a little linty!

Philippines is hot and humid most time of the year and that's one of the problem using changing bag. What I do is change in an air conditioned room (bare hands) and make sure I washed my hands with soap and dry them well before working. I usually work on 2 reels at a time at the most 3 reels. My plastic tanks are mostly 2 reel tanks for this reason. Oh and btw the Samigon reels are Godsend.

 

[jslash6]

Agree with clean, bare hands approach.

Also the absence of a clip helps. I struggle more with the clip than the film itself, I'd like to get a few more clip-less steel reels, but so far I have been unsuccessful in locating them.

Anybody got a pointer?

Will, I bought a set of second hand metal cans and reels. At least the cans were stamped with Nikkor. The reels could be as well but aren't stamped with anything. They don't have clips but the center of the spirals poke out like little tabs where to begin reeling the film. Frankly, I think I'd rather have clips cause when nothing holding the film's end it can easily slide away from the core of the reels. I don't use gloves, and also make sure my hands aren't oily, and try to only handle the film edges. I haven't had any problems with finger prints or lint ever.

Jeffrey

 

[rjbuzzclick]

Thanks everyone for the responses. A lot less of you are wearing gloves than I expected. Personally, I've never had a problem with lint, but I do find it harder to reel up the film even wearing one glove. I think I'll try it without for a while and see how it goes.