Brainsurgery

[Jarvis]

Mankind has achieved fantastic things

- Landed men on the moon
- Sent spaceship to Saturn
- Manipulation of DNA
- Makes supercomputers
- Brainsurgery
- Heart, Liver and kidney transplants


then why the **** can't they come up with a better solution to load 35 and 120 film on a Dev. Tank filmspool ?????

 

[back alley]

they have, it's called a patterson reel.
works like a charm, every time.

joe

 

[Doug]

And there is a gizmo, I think made by Kindermann, that makes it easier to load 35mm film on a stainless reel. Might be still available...

Actually, there are some techniques that make it easier to load any film on a SS reel by hand. I find reels with either a spring clip or a tooth at the center to retain that end of the film help as well, but aren't a guarantee. It also helps to periodially push the film (lengthwise direction) into the coil to keep it from coiling too tightly... just give it a few short pushes to keep it coiled loosely. And as you rotate the reel and feed more film onto it, feel for kinks in the length of film just fed in. You can usually also hear it kink...

 

[nikon_sam]

I own Paterson equipment and really don't have many issues with them. Just make sure the reels are completely dry before loading film.
I have also started loading two rolls of 120 film onto one reel, that way I can double my film capacity per tank and save developer too.
I am waiting for a Nikor tank with 4x5 reel from eBay auction and then I get to learn how to load that one.

 

[RayPA]

...

then why the **** can't they come up with a better solution to load 35 and 120 film on a Dev. Tank filmspool ?????

Patience, grass hopper. Perfection will come to you soon. It might help to start with shorter rolls of film. I don't know what length you're trying to load, but 36 exp. can be a little difficult at first. If you bulk load your film try starting with 12 - 20 exposures and work your way up. Shorter rolls help.

Of course, make sure you are winding the film onto the reel in the right direction and try to start as square as possible. As you wind, it can sometimes be helpful to occassionally sort of push back and pull forward slightly (waggle like a golfer does) in the direction of travel. If the film isn't going on square you should be able to tell because you won't feel a nice loose play as you "waggle" the film.

The first wrap is the most critical. Some of the reels I have, have clips and others don't. But if you have the clips use them. If not insert the end into the space in the center of the reel and firmly press down on it against the center support as you start to roll. Don't give up. Paterson reels are always an option, but the ss system is much better IMO. It does and will get easier, and all of a sudden too.

 

[JohnM]

I'm trying to get up to speed by this weekend - am going to try developing for the first time and I've been practicing rolling film onto stainless steel reels.

What I found helpful -

1) Practice - the first tries were a frustrating disaster. After a half-dozen tries, I felt like I was getting the hang of it. After 25 or 30 tries, I feel like I have the hang of it and I can hear and feel when something goes wrong.

2) Buy quality - I bought some very cheap stainless reels and they were very hard to use. I then ordered a Kinderman reel tool and a $30 Kinderman reel. The reel is so kind to work with that I sent the reel tool back - just didn't need it.

To sum up, my advice is to give yourself the advantage of a quality reel and then practice with your eyes open. Then, practice with them shut - occasional peeking allowed ;-)

Then, head into the dark and practice some more.

 

[Roman]

then why the **** can't they come up with a better solution to load 35 and 120 film on a Dev. Tank filmspool ?????

Go here: www.fotoimpex.de - and order the AP tank from the catalogue - it does not get easier than that...

Roman