Paterson spirals max take up?

randomm

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Hi all,

a quick question, although I'm sure this has been dealt here an in many places, just couldn't find any info with my keywords:

How many 135 frames can a Paterson plastic spiral take?

I loaded couple of cassettes of film without a loader the other day in my changing bag, and got more than 36 frames onto each (realised after shooting them). I'm having difficulty loading them onto my Paterson spirals.

Now am cleaning the spirals in case it was down to dirty spirals, but also thought that perhaps I've reached the maximum take up on them...

Many thanks for all answers...

cheers,

Jani
 
Most commercial 36-exp rolls will take 38 or even 40 shots, and they fit. Paterson reels can appear to have run out of space when all that's happened is that the humidity from your hands is causing the film to jam in the reel. Generally the reel will continue to ratchet the film, but in smaller steps. if the film starts to get sticky, you have to be careful not to kink the film and have it come out of the ratchet things (ball bearings).

It is much easier to load a Paterson reel standing in a darkroom than it is in a changing bag, partly because you can have the cassette hanging down and keeping the free length of film tight and also because humidity build-up isn't an issue.
 
A normal factory roll of film says it's 36 exposures, depending on which camera, I can squeeze 38 shots if I'm lucky on a factory roll...
You should be able to load the whole roll of a factory loaded cassette once you cut the leader off (2 - 2 1/2")
Loading the film as far as it can go on the reel you can get another 4 frames until you get to the opening tabs, after that you could still have 2 to 3 more frames but they would be outside the spirals...
 
Most commercial 36-exp rolls will take 38 or even 40 shots, and they fit. Paterson reels can appear to have run out of space when all that's happened is that the humidity from your hands is causing the film to jam in the reel. Generally the reel will continue to ratchet the film, but in smaller steps.

I'm quite familiar with this phenomenon. I have never cleaned my spirals, but after today's experience (trying one of the films on three separate spirals and ending up winding it back to the cassette) I thought I'd stick them in the dishwasher at 65 Celsius with the normal pots and pans programme running. I don't know if that'll help.

Anyway. I think I've got something like 42+ frames on each film. Film counter was sitting at max (M6) for at least 5 frames of the shooting. I'm wondering if my spirals can take it.

I'll have to get a daylight loader, as I find it difficult to load the cassettes with less film than actually is possible to get in there...

Anybody want to sell me their daylight loader, in EU preferably :)
 
I'm quite familiar with this phenomenon. I have never cleaned my spirals, but after today's experience (trying one of the films on three separate spirals and ending up winding it back to the cassette) I thought I'd stick them in the dishwasher at 65 Celsius with the normal pots and pans programme running. I don't know if that'll help.

Anyway. I think I've got something like 42+ frames on each film. Film counter was sitting at max (M6) for at least 5 frames of the shooting. I'm wondering if my spirals can take it.

I'll have to get a daylight loader, as I find it difficult to load the cassettes with less film than actually is possible to get in there...

Anybody want to sell me their daylight loader, in EU preferably :)
Where are you in the EU?

See also http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps how load bulk.html

Cheers,

R.
 
If you overload your cassettes you are asking for scratches.

Chris

I thought as much. Shame on me for getting rid of my daylight loader 5 years ago on a whim ("I'll never shoot film anymore anyway...").

I have to try counting the revolutions next.
 
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