Any hints/tips to loading 120 reels?

Akki14 said:

I prefer changing bags but I remember dropping film (35mm out of canister) onto the floor of the darkroom at high school and that's something I do not want to repeat.. hunting around a dark room for the film. At least stuff can't go very far in a changing bag.
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I load the reel over an 11x14 tray. The tray holds everything. The empty reel. The tank. My problem isn't dropping stuff on the floor it's finding all the other stuff in the dark. I swear the gremlins move things after I turn the lights out

I gave up using plastic reels for 120 film. I could never load them even when bone dry. My sweaty hands in a changing bag would gum things up.
I know this is my preference but SS is much easier to clean, lasts longer, hewes and kindermann reels load easier once you get the hang of it, etc. Lots of benefits.

I've seen the Hewes and Kindermann names recommended several times before, what makes them easier/better than just your average SS reel?

I think it's all in the clip. The clip does not move, warp or bend. Also the way the clip is positioned on the reel makes it very easy to feel the edge of the film against the bar on the reel w/ your fingertips. This lets you know if you've got the film on straight or if it's crooked. On the generic reels I have, the clip is on the bottom of the bar, making it much more of a guess if you have the film lined up straight. I know that people are nuts about these reels, I guess i'm one of them now.

Anscojohn; I do agree about not using the clip on other SS reels. If you can learn on a hewes, you can probably load anything once you get the hang of it. I still can't load plastic though.

t_nunn said:

I've seen the Hewes and Kindermann names recommended several times before, what makes them easier/better than just your average SS reel?

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I have Kinderman, Nikor and Hewes Stainless Steel 120 reels. I prefer the Hewes - I find them the easiest to load. I like the Hewes 120 rollfilm film clip system the best.

Which ever reel type you use, sacrifice a roll of film and practice-practice-practice WITH THE ROOM LIGHTS ON until you get it right!

Then turn all the lights OFF and make sure you can do it in the dark.

BTW, make sure your reels are very-very clean and dry. I scrub my reels with a toothbrush, dishwashing detergent and hot water.