Developed my first roll tonight! Mixed results...

[SuitePhoto]

I bought all of my darkroom supplies, burned through a roll of Tri-X 400 to use as a test, and then poped another roll to practice getting the film on the reel. I practiced putting the film on the reel for a couple evenings and tonight was the night.

Everything seemed to go smoothly - I had no trouble getting the film on the reel and I just followed the directions - developer (XTOL 1:1), water, fixer, water (I used Ilford's method of washing), and then Photo-Flo. When I poped the top of the tank and pulled-out the reel I noticed that the end of the film was touching the film that was wound under it. As I started to unroll it, I realized that those areas where sticking together... And as I un-wound it more, if found two or three more places that the film stuck together (which has zero detail).

The good news is that the shots which did turn-out seem to be good - the film is drying right now, but I could easily see detail in the negs as I hung them. But I lost 5 or 6 shots becuase of the film was touching inside the reel.

Do you guys have any techniques to help avoid this problem? Am I just putting too much tension on the film as I wind it onto the reel? (I have stainless reels and tank)

The process seemed to be strait-forward enough, I guess I just need to practice with the reels more... I have two more rolls that I would like to develop, but they have shots that I don't want to loose...

 

[jja]

I usually use plastic tanks, but the one time I used steel, I found that tension was my friend. Whether or not you are using a changing bag, set the reel on a hard surface, such as a table, and when you begin to wind on, maintain even tension and simply roll the reel on the surface.

When you are finished rolling the film on, feel the sides of the reel with your hands. You should not feel any film sticking out unevenly from the sides. If there are points where the film sticks out, unwind to that point and simply wind again.

 

[Bryce]

Mike-
This is a common problem, one you'll avoid with a little practice. The "trick" is to feel between the sides of the reel periodically to make sure the film is ending up caught between the wires and not skipping the groove. If it starts winding wrong, unwind it past the problem area and try again. Flexing the film slightly will help. Also, as durable as the reels look, they're very easily bent; the spacing between the two sides of the reel is critical, so handle them gently.

 

[Dougg]

With stainless reels, I find it useful to push a bit periodically to ensure the film isn't pulled tight but sits loosely within the wire spirals. Important to run a finger along the just-inserted film surface to make sure it's flat and smooth. As mentioned above if you feel or hear a kink or wrinkle it's time to back up a bit and do that bit over.

 

[Rusifizio]

THis happens with me 1 roll to 30 rolls, especially when i am drunk. :angel: but sometimes i like the results. Meaning don't throw the film, scan and have a close look. And be careful while putting the film into the reels. Luck be with you!🙂

 

[Nachkebia]

Rusifizio : krutooo! 🙂

 

[Rusifizio]

Rusifizio : krutooo! 🙂

Privet, Vladimer!🙂

 

[Nachkebia]

Privet, no lets keep english and lets stay withing the topic or we will get punished 😀

 

[kmack]

Normal, it still happens to me once in a while, mostly with 36 exp rolls, if I am in a hurry, it is dissapointing and frustrating. You can still use some fixer and clear the areas, as the others mentioned, you may get something interesting (nice one Rusifizio!).

I would like to amplify the point that Doug made. I use a changing bag and use the push method.

Try this with your test roll in the light: attach the film to the reel and place the reel on a flat surface on the reels edge, (like a wheel) then push the film onto the reel allowing the reel to roll. You will see that the film will almost 'walk' itself onto the reel. In a bag you can push the film on in short motions and load a reel very quickly.

 

[SuitePhoto]

Well here a few examples - scanned on the little Epson 3490 that we have here at the office. Most of the shots have some dust and scratches so I went through with the healing tool... I'll definately have to clean-up the bathroom that I'm developing in before trying again. Thanks for the tips on getting the film on the roll - I'll be practicing.

Tri-X 400 pushed to 1000, Xtol 1:1