Getting film onto medium format reel.

480sparky · Jun 17, 2015

bernard_L said:
So that everything is the same as when doing it for real. Including that you first find the free end of the film, and at the end encounter the taped end.

That's not the issue. The OP is having problems with getting the film onto a nylon reel.

ToddB · Jun 17, 2015

Is the curl the issue? I always bend the film in the other direction so the film perfectly flat , just about a quarter inch of the leader. Then hold the film with my thumb and middle finger pushing gently in center of film with my pointer finger to insure the film is flat when insert in the reel. It works every time within seconds.

Todd

mr rusty · Jun 17, 2015

I use patterson. On 120 I wind all the film off the backing and rip it off then wind back in my hands so the start is the start again. I bend the first 1/4" up in the dark to remove a little curl. I have LH thumb and 1st finger over the guides and pick the film up with thumb and middle finger and use my first finger to control the middle of the film. It just goes in! I pull it through a bit then wind with my thumbs directly over the guides to make sure it doesn't twist and pop out. Getting pretty good. Most times straight in, no worries. You watch - next film will be a bitch!.

mwdake · Jun 17, 2015

Not sure if the OP is having trouble getting the film started on to the reel or loaded fully after getting it started.
If it getting the film started, here is a trick I use...

It gives the stiffness and guide to get the roll started in to the flanges...

Cut a piece of the film box to be the same width as 120 film and about 2 or 3 inches long.

Before you go in the darkroom slide this piece of card along the reel tracks into the beginning of the reel but not past the little ball bearings. Now when in the darkroom take your film and slide it along the card until it is past the ball bearings and pull in a bit more then remove the card and load in the normal way. You see the card acts like a guide and makes those springy films easier to get started.

I most often reverse curl the first 1/2 inch or so of my film before loading to help with the springiness.

Doc W · Jun 17, 2015

480sparky said:
That's not the issue. The OP is having problems with getting the film onto a nylon reel.

OK, don't run it through the camera first.

bvy · Jun 17, 2015

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've never had any problem. And I'm not particularly dexterous. I usually hold the reel against my abdomen while standing with the guides out and facing down. Then I grab each corner of the film with my forefinger and thumb and pull them up onto the guides and past the ball bearings. I let the backing paper fall to the floor, as this weighs the film down so it doesn't curl up while I'm loading the reel. Removing the tape is the trickiest part for me. I just take it slow.

Xmas · Jun 18, 2015

Doc W said:
OK, don't run it through the camera first.

I keep doing that but only get the rebates? Oops must not tease...

I don't have a problem loading Patterson spirals with 220 or 120.

It needs currency dry hands and dry spirals.

You need to practice with scrap film in daylight just to make sure you have not forgotten.

It is near impossible in a changing bag if you are going to sweat.

The problem is avoiding the stress marks that will occur if you stress the film.

You have to monitor any reluctance in the film to go on to the spiral otherwise you will have a mark like a boomerang in the sky of your best frame, eg each thumb needs to be used...

If you are in a dark room you need a light tight box and a roll of rain check tickets in case you need to wash and dry hands and have a beverage before starting again...

If you are careful you can pull hands from a changing bag and ... have a beverage ...

The problem is you not the reels

Xmas · Jun 18, 2015

pentaxuser said:
All good advice. When I see this much advice I cannot help but think of the scene in "Son of Paleface" with Bob Hope when he is given advice as to how to take on a notorious gunslinger and win and as he is leaving the saloon he tries each bit of advice on a cumulative basis as he passes each of the "advice givers".

It is hilarious. Anyone recall the scene?

Just to make things worse I'll add my bit as well

You might want to try and get a 120 Durst tank complete with an attachment that fixes to the reel and allows you to pass the film through it and directly onto the centre of the reel. You lift the spring in the centre and push the film just under it. Having done this you turn a small handle on the edge of the reel and it pulls the film into the reel.

So other than getting the start of the film under the spring in the centre for which no special skill or dexterity is really needed the rest is simply mechanical.

I have a 120 Jobo tank as well but given the choice I'd go for the Durst every time. It only takes one 120 film at a time but is the most leak-proof tank I have ever used and only needs 450 mls of chemical.

Just remember he draws to the left so lean to the right. There's a wind from the East, better aim to the West. He crouches when he shoots so stand on your toes

You really can't go wrong

pentaxuser

I can recall Jane Russell on big screen local cinema general release...

Adam W · Jun 18, 2015

Oren Grad said:
If you otherwise like the Paterson reels, try the Samigon near-clone:

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

It has much larger "lips" which provide a much easier target for getting the film started on the reel.

These work great for me. Very easy to load.

Sirius Glass · Jun 18, 2015

Last night I tried something while loading 120 film on plastic reels, it one unwinds the film and rolls it up to the tape, the tears off the tape, the tape end is much stiffer than the other end and the taped end starts much more easily. I never bother to try that before, it was not necessary for the Hewes Stainless Steel Reels.

Getting film onto medium format reel.

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