already mixed, will it keep a few hours?

In a rush, I set out to process a roll of 120 film without having rewound it to get the curl out. I had 1 hour and thought I could get it done before rushing off to work. I already mixed the D76 1:1, but I CANNOT get the film on the reel. Will the developer keep till early this afternoon, if covered?

Janet

Yes, it should keep OK for that long, without any problems

Ian

Thanks for the quick reply! Whew... guess the rush thing isn't so good - I hate tightly curled film and never ever try to wrestle it. Don't know what I was thinking. Thanks again.

Janet

Hi Janet, it probably will keep, but use ASAP.

Tell me about rewinding 120 film to get the curl out. I haven't come across this before.

John

Hi John,

I break the seal in the dark, unwrap the film & backer paper to the end, then rewrap it going the opposite direction. I keep a tape dispenser next to my enlarger (darkroom is small!) and put a bit of tape to hold it in place. Then I either carry it a while in my jeans pocket or put it in a little black bag in the drawer. It loosens the tight curl and makes loading it onto the spool really easy. And fast. I always plan ahead enough to do that before I process. I'll leave it like that at least a couple hours, but have left it a couple days. Less if in my pocket because the body warmth seems to soften enough to make it loosen more quickly.

I'll tell you... I tried for over 35 minutes this morning to get that durn film on and could not!

How-in-the-world do you get it on your spools, so tightly curled?

Janet

I have no problems loading 120 film, with the exception of film that was shot decades ago. Maybe it just takes some practice?

Well, I processed the film after the developer had been sitting, covered with plastic wrap, about 8 hours. The negatives look alright... as OK as I think they might, coming from a Holga with too many light leaks. I usually keep it pretty well taped, at least in certain places. Anyway, the developer was pretty fine.

Thanks, guys!

Janet

I don't understand why you need to rewind the film to remove the curl. Its natural curl helps it curl onto the reel anyway. Do you use plastic or metal reels? Anyway, glad your developer was okay.

I use plastic, but find the very tight curl sometimes makes it difficult for me to get on the reel. If I do as described, it goes on in a few seconds. I've found that way just works best for me.

I understand what you mean. Some films are worse than others, and some just roll onto the reel almost by themselves.

jgcull said:

Well, I processed the film after the developer had been sitting, covered with plastic wrap, about 8 hours. The negatives look alright... as OK as I think they might, coming from a Holga with too many light leaks. I usually keep it pretty well taped, at least in certain places. Anyway, the developer was pretty fine.

Thanks, guys!

Janet

Click to expand...

Glad it turned out well, I was quite curious.

jgcull said:

I use plastic, but find the very tight curl sometimes makes it difficult for me to get on the reel. If I do as described, it goes on in a few seconds. I've found that way just works best for me.

Click to expand...

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JG
Well, if it works for you, ok; but have been loading 120 and 220 film myself since the 1950s with no apparent "curl" problem. With plastic, the reels must be kept scrupulously clean--I use a bristle kitchen pot brush on a handle to scrub my plastic reels after use. I use Bon Ami Cleanser or Bar Keeper's Friend.
One thing, else. If you do a small clip off the corners of the film end which goes into the reel, it might keep you from having to reverse wind the film and carry it around.

John, Mount Vernon, Virginia USA