Film Curl - Loading Problems

[md2008]

I don't know if it's the dry winter weather, but I've started having some problems loading film onto the auto-plastic reels (Paterson, AP etc) due to the "reverse" curl put on the film leader by the M tulip takeup spool. By reverse, I mean curl with emulsion side out, opposite to the normal film curl.

Because of this, I have to load the film with the emulsion side facing outward on the reel otherwise it won't even go on the reel - but then about halfway through the roll, the natural film curl takes over and the film gets stuck and very difficult to advance. I've ended up with some artifacts due to bending of the film during loading as a result.

The only thing that's helped is to rest the film for a few days after rewinding and let the natural curl of the film to return. However, if I need to process the roll right after taking it out of the camera, things are difficult as I've mentioned.

Anyone else with this problem? Any tips?

Thanks

 

[Steve Karr]

I have never had any luck with the plastic reels / gear. I have stainless tanks & HEWES reels. Hewes are the greatest thing in the whole wide world. They really NEVER jam & really load like butter.

Freestyle sells 'em new ... I got mine from eBay and gave all the others away.

If you have invested thousands in gear & shoot film, just try 1 Hewes reel (you can always return it if you don't like it) and you'll see. For $40 you will never have a problem loading again. They are the whip!!

 

[morback]

I have never had any luck with the plastic reels / gear. I have stainless tanks & HEWES reels. Hewes are the greatest thing in the whole wide world. They really NEVER jam & really load like butter.

Freestyle sells 'em new ... I got mine from eBay and gave all the others away.

If you have invested thousands in gear & shoot film, just try 1 Hewes reel (you can always return it if you don't like it) and you'll see. For $40 you will never have a problem loading again. They are the whip!!

+1 for Hewes.

But make sure you get Hewes, and not the cheaper stuff (with a spring instead of prong in 35mm). That won't hold your film properly and there will be contact...Personal experience...

 

[Dwig]

High quaility stainless steel reels, in the appropriate tank, loaded from the center out with practiced hands don't have this problem. IMHO, they're the best way to go.

Reverse winding on the takeup spool was the standard in the better cameras prior to the dominance of motor drive autoload systems. Its not peculiar to the M Leicas.

You might two things:

1. Soak the reels in a 50/50 mix of house hold vinegar or slightly strong stop bath overnight and then scrub them with a soft brush (old tooth brush) under running water. Scale develops on them over time making them less slippery. Commercial products sold for removing scale from coffee pots will also work.

2. Clip off a small (1-2mm) corner on both corners of the film end to avoid having a sharp point that can snag on any slightly rough spot on the reel. If this works it usually means you need to do step 1, above.