Handling 120 film

T

Terao

Kiloran
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Quick straw poll, having a few problems getting 120 film reliably loaded on to reels. What's your technique for this? Do you separate it as you load (loading from the reel) or do you take it off the reel, separate it from the backing paper, and then load it? Or some other technique?
 
I separate the film from the backing paper then load the film onto a metal reel. All inside a changing bag of course.

Maybe sacrifice a 120 roll and load in daylight. Then try inside a changing bag. The first few rolls are the hardest, it gets easier the more rolls you do.

Jim B.
 
I remove the backing paper and the tape then load onto a Paterson reel inside a changing bag.

Gene
 
It seems that I'm in the minority, at least in this small sample. I keep the film on its spool with the backing, thinking that there's less chance of dust or scratches. I load the metal reel by turning the reel slowly with one hand while pinching the edges of the film slightly with the other. If I get it right it will just wind right up. Toward the end I count the number of spirals left on each edge of the film to make sure it's even.

I should also add that I had a very hard time getting the plastic reels to work with 120, especially the ones which extend from 35mm to 120.
 
I've found it very difficult to reliably load 120 onto plastic reels - I always send it to a pro lab.
 
I separate as I load. I'm a clumsy fool and worry I may scratch the film along the way if I remove the film completely from the backing before loading.
 
@Clintock

I have those reels, they're sold in the UK as AP reels (FirstCall amongst others sell them)

They load very reliably, the only slight issue is that you have to be careful to fold the tape flat at the end of the film, the gap is a little tight.
 
I usually separate it as I load - I guide the film onto the plastic paterson reels while using my index and middle finger as extensions of the little flanges. This helps make sure they are where they should be and allows me easliy use my thumb to grab it when both sides are on and I pull it into the reel for about a 1/2 turn. I always push the film at least a turn till it gets stiff before I ratchet the reel at all.

I do use the separate first method when I load two 120 rolls on one reel end to end - but only for the second roll, which I load taped end first. That way I have the two taped ends bumping against each other and the second will not likely overlap the first.
 
For those of you who separate as you load, what do you do with the backing paper? Peel it backwards like you're peeling a banana or let it flow over the top of the reel? My biggest issue is working out when I've got to the backing paper by feel...
 
I separate as I load. I find that the backing paper rolls right back up all by itself. I have no problems loading a 5 reel (3 -120 reels) tank in a changing bag. I find the tape (Neopan) peels off the paper easier than the film, so I just fold it over. I trim it off when I'm sleeving the negs.
 
Loading 120

Loading 120

JMP said:
It seems that I'm in the minority, at least in this small sample. I keep the film on its spool with the backing, thinking that there's less chance of dust or scratches. I load the metal reel by turning the reel slowly with one hand while pinching the edges of the film slightly with the other. If I get it right it will just wind right up. Toward the end I count the number of spirals left on each edge of the film to make sure it's even.

I should also add that I had a very hard time getting the plastic reels to work with 120, especially the ones which extend from 35mm to 120.
Click to expand...

That's how I do it. Only thing to add is that at every turn run your index finger across the film on the reel to make sure there isn't a lump from the film not going in straight. If you don't the next pass will touch and there will be an undeveloped bare spot there.

As JMP said it's best to stick with dedicated metal reels. I also avoid using a bag with 120.
 
Another metal reel, separate as I go. I don't like plastic reels with 120, but they work well with 35mm.
 
Terao said:
Quick straw poll, having a few problems getting 120 film reliably loaded on to reels. What's your technique for this? Do you separate it as you load (loading from the reel) or do you take it off the reel, separate it from the backing paper, and then load it? Or some other technique?
Click to expand...

Hi Terao,
What kind of reels do you have ? Some plastic reels, within the same trademark may be more problematic than others. Therefore I use to have my 120 good reels, specially dedicated to 120 and not compacted for 135 film.

Also concerning plastic reels, it may be of great help if you twist the begining of the film several times, against the curling. We are talking about the first 1 or 2 cm.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
I separate as I load but have tried separation before loading. Didn't make much of a difference as I was still fumbling around for 20-30 minutes to get the film on the Paterson spool.
 
I separate as I load but have tried separation before loading. Didn't make much of a difference as I was still fumbling around for 20-30 minutes to get the film on the Paterson spool.
 
I found that the plastic reels (if dry) were easier for me too.
I pull off the backing, as this is done the film re-rolls itself. I leave the tape on the film and double it back onto itself, this seems to help when guiding the film onto the reel.
When I have a few rolls to do, I also add a second film onto the first by attaching with the tape of the second onto the end of the first. The reels were made to take 220 so this fits just nicely. I tried it without fixing by tape but the film overlapped a little.

Dave...
 
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