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Dear Kodak and Ilford Use the Fuji EZ Load system on 120

I shoot film from all major brands (Ilford, Kodak, Fuji, Rollei, plus others) but admit I like the Fuji system best. Yes, I could use a little knife of some sort to open the seal, but wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to? Opening and sealing off Fuji films is so easy it's make you wonder why the other companies don't do the same (yes, I understand it would cost too much money to change things now). I also find that Ilford film seals tend to fall off or break with surprising regularity. So, like RattyMouse, I also carry extra elastic bands (sometimes I've had to use the ones in my hair) to hold a roll closed after the seal paper broke off, although I prefer carrying around a bit of gaffer's tape wrapped around a film canister for the same purpose (plus the tape can be used for other things too).

Also, after shooting many rolls of both Acros and Delta in my Rolleiflex over the past 2 months, I've noticed that the Fuji spools are slightly different than the Ilford ones. The Fuji spools go into the camera with absolutely no issue - even without looking they seem to slide in with no problem. The Ilford spools, on the other hand, require quite a bit of manipulation to get them to go in properly (I think due to the slightly bigger 'lip' on the edge of the spool compared to Fuji'). Again, not a big deal, but it's another instance of how slight changes can make the user experience a bit easier and more enjoyable.
 
the stickers are nice on fuji rolls - that I will agree, but their easy load spools are diabolic.

the idea is that you can slip the tongue of a roll of fuji film into a fuji film spool, and the spool will grap on to the hole in the paper and you are loaded. This works well as LONG AS YOU ONLY USE FUJI.

the little catch on the spool makes it tricky to insert the tongue of a roll of Ilford or Foma film, as their is just not quite enough open room to do so unless the paper is VERY flat.
 
Stuff and nonsense. Load and expose 10 rolls through a screwmount Leica or Leica clone in one morning, then go back to the 120.
 
my complaint is cutting the lick m band free in the dark! ive been using my thumb nail accross the band width till i cut through. once through, it pops open easily enough. but i dont have much nail left lately.
 
I don't worry about opening up the tape seal to load the film on to the reel, because I don't worry about ripping the backing paper at that stage.
But if I did, I would take some painter's tape into the darkroom, open the seal in the light, and then re-seal it temporarily with the painter's tape.
 
Fuji is the best loading film for me. But to be honest I don't shoot much Fuji other than Provia F and a little Acros. Everything else I shoot comes from Kodak and Ilford. Bottomline I wish everyone used Fuji reels and easy peel tape ,but it doesn't effect my choice of film
 
Ilford film does have an easy start tab. I’m surprised nobody has noticed. It just does not have the hole to attach to a Fuji EZ load spool nor the self seal at the end. Drop in a fresh Ilford spool. Pull the little tab on the seal and like magic the roll starts. No fingernails needed. Unless Ilford has changed this recently.
 
Ed Sawyer said:
I am just happy to have kodak in 120 so I will put up with those issues, I guess.
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Same here! Also, the Rolleiflex inserts are nice, because you can pre-load the film before going into the field and tape the roll once you get home.
 
Ed Sawyer said:
I am just happy to have kodak in 120 so I will put up with those issues, I guess.
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It is part of the MF experience. Just like opening the little cans to get the 35mm film and smelling the film aroma.
 
Has the OP or anyone else written to Ilford and Kodak with this request or am I missing the spirit in which this whole thread was written which may be just the equivalent of what in the U.K. we'd call an "end of evening conversation"

pentaxuser
 
pentaxuser said:
Has the OP or anyone else written to Ilford and Kodak with this request or am I missing the spirit in which this whole thread was written which may be just the equivalent of what in the U.K. we'd call an "end of evening conversation"

pentaxuser
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+1
 
It's just me whining. And yes the Ilford tab, to start is lovely. The Fuji system is so perfect. I suppose I could write but doubt there's much money in the budget for injection molding tooling. Especially when it's not really a big deal. I did load my Fuji G617 with Acros yesterday. I smiled when the spool grabbed the little hole. The wrap up at the end is like a very sincere thank you for using a Fujifilm product
Mike
 
Don't have much of a problem tearing the tabs while loading with Kodak film although it is less elegant than the simple pull and peel of Fuji. I don't have that much nail and simply scratch on the smallish notches around the fold of the leader. Upon unloading, having to lick the end seal is rather funny. A bit of a kin to stamps and old envelope seals! Again, Fuji has a more elegant approach, specially if more hurried up and/or around crowded places.

Something I did notice even back when I started film is how Ilford is specially elegant in packaging design. Simple and minimalistic, uniform across the line. Futura font looks excellent and timeless with a touch of retrofuturistic. Have an HP5 120 box laying on my desk and I keep looking at it at times, really nice.
The pixelated "plus" and interlaced Delta, seem like an ironic nod to the digital age.

Kodak's sometimes seemed overloaded: "World's finest grain! World's sharpest! Exceptional skin tones!"
 
Never have had a problem loading Kodak or Ilford 120 film. Nor with Fuji, although that little self sticking piece of sealing paper of Fuji has a tendency to separate from roll when peeling apart to expose sticky side, but not worth complaining about.
Been carrying a pocket knife since third or fourth grade. Our clodhoppers had little pocket with snap at ankle for holding knife. Teachers trusted us enough that we wouldn’t use in class to stab anyone. We could store small forbidden items in knickers though hole in pocket.
 

I had so many sealing stickers detach from Kodak 120 rolls that I began to carry a pack of rubber bands with me. Before that, several times I had to furiously find either tape or rubber bands while out on the streets in China to save a roll of film. Not easy when you dont speak the language.
 
The Kodak and Ilford 120 tapes are the reason we have thumb nails and fingernails. Obviously!
 
WTF. We're lucky we have film and you guys are complaining about the band.
 
I live in rural New Mexico and always carry at least one knife, to protect myself from right wing militias and psychotic hippies.Opening a roll of film is not a problem. Keeping the dust out of the camera when the wind is blowing dust around at 60 miles per hour, now that's a problem!
 
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