How to load 120 film into the reel?

[minoltist7]

I'll do that for the first time. probably many people asked the same before.

Maybe somebody have sort of instruction/manual with pictures? The main obstacle I see is how to remove paper backing in the dark and tear it off (or cut with scissors)

 

[Rogrund]

The paper comes off easily, loading the film on the reel is the tricky part. I would suggest you sacrifice a roll of film for practise, first in daylight and then in the dark.

 

[fidget]

Everyone seems to have a different way, here's what i do.
In the dark, undo the roll and hold it in one hand,
pull the paper backing, you will feel the film unwind, this will naturally form a roll hanging onto the reel.
When you get to the point where the film is stuck to the paper, peel the film and tape off the paper backing and fold the tape back onto the film. Drop the empty reel and paper.

This taped end of the film is inserted into the plastic dev reel. I find that is stops the film from catching within the reel.
Dave..

 

[kully]

Practice a bit. I loaded a couple of rolls last week after a few month break and swore like a monkey who'd had it's whisky stolen. Loaded one today and it went on first time.

What fidget and rogrund have said is good stuff. I also recommend pulling the film completely from the backing before starting to load.

 

[pentaprism]

check out the movie link below! it definately helped me to load 120 film into a reel 😉

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cD8eP8kjdo

 

[David Goldfarb]

Here's another good video for steel reels--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P9bNcBE_Hc&feature=user

A little different from my method, which is to hold the film out straight and feed it by rolling the reel on the table, but Jason's method is fine.

I just let the paper separate from the film as I roll it on and tear it off at the end.

 

[ibcrewin]

Are you using steel or plastic reels?

When I was using a public darkroom the plastic ones were a breeze. The steel ones take a quite bit more practice. Also, having good steel reels makes a HUGE difference!

most important, Practice practice practice!

Btw, did you ever set up the darkroom in the bathroom?

 

[Yammerman]

The best advice I got was to make sure the reels are dry. I use a hair dryer on them before I start to make certain and I rarely have a problem now.

Good luck

 

[shadowfox]

If you are using a steel reel which, after using and cleaning it myself, I can recommend whole-heartedly, be careful:

I spent an embarrassing amount of time follow Jason Brunner's method (one of the video above), until I realize that my steel reel is different. It's more like the one used in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VsdeNBm_50

 

[ibcrewin]

I just remembered something else.

I had some trouble getting the reel started. I think it was because the film wasn't square on the clip. Try rolling it on WITHOUT clipping the film in to the center. YMMV, worked for me though.

 

[minoltist7]

I have a "Kaiser" tank with plastic reel, similar in appearance to Paterson on 1st video. it has 2 "ball bearings" which help to guide the film (2 little steel balls inside film channel )

 

[cosmonot]

Don't rip, tear, or peel the tape holding the film to the backing paper! You can get static charges and sparking, which I'm sure could fog some emulsions. I always snip with scissors, just to be safe...

 

[minoltist7]

I always snip with scissors, just to be safe...

I thought about this too. but is there a clearance between 1st frame on the film and paper attchment? I wouln't want to cut off half of frame by accident

 

[gdi]

These reels help a lot if you use plastic. They have a wide guide to help feed the film in..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/122989-REG/Samigon_ESA325_Multi_Format_Autofeed_Reel.html

 

[David Goldfarb]

I thought about this too. but is there a clearance between 1st frame on the film and paper attchment? I wouln't want to cut off half of frame by accident

Just cut through the tape where it joins with the paper, and you won't have a problem. How much clearance you have depends on the camera, but you need that space so you can hang up the film and use a weighted clip a the other end.