Developing Medium Format Film (Help)

[jbf]

Hey all, I have a quick question. I've been developing 35mm B&W film for at least six months so far and I'm just about to start developing my own B&W medium format film.... so... my question is, is there anything different I need to do when loading the film into the reels, etc?


Since it's roll film do I have to cut off the paper leader of the film or anything? Just curious cause I've never done it before.

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

[speanut]

My case is opposite. I've developed 120mm first time without any hickup.
As you might know, mf film's paper can be taken off by just pulling out by hand.
I did it inside changing bag to roll it through the reel. mine was peterson.
I think nothing special here.

 

[cmogi10]

are you used to metal reels or plastic?

 

[jbf]

Plastic. Never bothered with metal reels and dont think I want too with how many bad things i've heard about them.. hah. as in being a pain in the butt to load film onto sometimes.


The main thing I was concerned about was the paper thats on the spool before the actual film starts. Not the piece you lick to seal the film, but the "leader".


So yeah. hehe. 🙂


BTW... Cmogi you live in SF right? I'll probably be moving out there in a year or so for my career. (Senior in art college right now). 🙂

 

[TheHub]

I just started developing my own film again 2 weeks ago. I'm doing 35mm and 120.

Unless I'm far off in the field I don't even bother licking that bit of paper at the end anymore since I'll just end up fiddling with it in the dark later on.

In the dark I pull the film off the reel starting with the backing paper. After a few inches the film will start to come off and roll itself up. When I get to the end of the film I pull it off the backing paper and fold the piece of tape (that was holding it to the backing paper) over itself. That end then goes into the clip on my metal reel. Spooling 120 film onto a reel is a lot easier than 35mm; it's shorter and wider.

120 takes up a lot of chemicals 🙁 But pulling a roll of 120 film out of final wash is always exciting 😀