How to hold the film (and reel) for loading it? Plastic tank

Fellipe de Paula · Sep 2, 2009

I'm getting stuck trying to loading my 35mm film (cheap trainer) into the (plastic) reel. What's the proper way to hold both film and reel? Should I leave the film hanging? Any tips?

Thanks

MattKing · Sep 2, 2009

Fellipe de Paula said:
I'm getting stuck trying to loading my 35mm film (cheap trainer) into the (plastic) reel. What's the proper way to hold both film and reel? Should I leave the film hanging? Any tips?

Thanks

Fellipe:

Also from the Ilford "Getting Started" section:

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=40

I leave the film hanging.

Matt

P.S. Thinking further about this, it probably should be mentioned that you need to hold the reel "easily" - in other words not too tightly.

It is important that the two sides of the plastic reel remain parallel to each other, and that the film edge is parallel to the reel's sides. All parts will flex slightly, so small variations will self-correct.

P.P.S. check to make sure that the ball bearings aren't jammed - they should move easily within the spot set aside for them on the reel

BetterSense · Sep 2, 2009

I hold the reel in my left hand and feed the film into the reel with my right. I leave the film in the cassette or on the spool (depending on if it's bulk loaded) and just let it hang. I don't worry about touching the base side of the film, but I try not to touch the emulsion side. Usually I can just push the whole thing onto the reel by hand and I don't have to resort to using the ball-bearing feeders.

Jon Shiu · Sep 2, 2009

Hi, once you get the film onto the reel a half turn, let the film hang down to the side nearest your body and put your thumbs over the slots/triangles where the film enters the reel. In that way, you can make sure the film doesn't jump out of the slots as you are winding.

Jon

David William White · Sep 2, 2009

-clean reel with toothbrush, make sure it's dry
-start with 24exp, not 36
-load from outside to inside (metal ones load from center to outside)
-some plastic reels grip the leader and you crank back and forth, some you just push the film.

I grasp cartridge in my left hand, reel with right, then:
-while holding reel with right, pull film out of cartridge with right hand thumb and forefinger, about a foot,
-switch and push film into reel with left hand thumb and forefinger,
-repeat 4 or 5 times.

Good luck, hope that helps!

Steve Smith · Sep 2, 2009

BetterSense said:
I can just push the whole thing onto the reel by hand and I don't have to resort to using the ball-bearing feeders.

I have noticed that I can do this with my new Kaiser reels too. I like these reels as they have large guide tabs at the spiral entrance. It's almost impossible to get it wrong.

I leave the leader sticking out of the cassette then start the film into the reel in the light. Then I transfer it to the dark bag to continue.

Steve.

:Francis: · Sep 2, 2009

I pop the bottom off the film canister.
Take the spool out and unreal about 5-10cm of film.
Put the spool back into the canister (without putting the bottom on again).
Cut the leader (which is now poking out) off.
Hold the reel with my left hand and holding the film between my thumb and forefinger, engage it into the reel.
Once the film is in the reel I pull out about 30cm (1') of film from the cannister and let it hang.
I then use the ratchet mechanism of the reel to load the film.
When I think the film cannister is about to hit the reel I pull out another 30cm.
When I have got to the end of the film I remove the empty spool from the cannister and snip the spool off with a pair of scissors.
I then load the last 10cm of film and put it in the tank.

Regards

Francis

RalphLambrecht · Sep 2, 2009

Fellipe de Paula said:
I'm getting stuck trying to loading my 35mm film (cheap trainer) into the (plastic) reel. What's the proper way to hold both film and reel? Should I leave the film hanging? Any tips?

Thanks

In the beginning my mistake was that I squeezed the plastic reel too much. Now that I learned not to do that anymore, the film slides in very easy.

AgX · Sep 2, 2009

There is a bit confusion here. There are basically two kinds of plastic reels: One type (Jobo) where you have to use your thumbs to fix the film edge to the very reel flange while twisting that flange. The other type uses ratches that automically pull the film inside the reel while you twist the flanges. Further there are metal reels that use a totally different system.

Here is another manual for those thumb action devices:

http://www.jobo.com/jobo_service_analog/us_analog/faq/loading_plastic_film_reels.htm

Fellipe de Paula · Sep 4, 2009

I'm still getting some trouble while trying to loading the film into the reel...
Do you open the film cassete and remove the film reel from it?

Any videos of the correct technique of loading the plastic reel? (mine is brand AP)

mpirie · Sep 4, 2009

One thing to remember is that when you cut the film leader off, don't leave any "open" sprocket holes.

If you do, they will catch on anything they can and cause difficulties when loading the plastic spirals.

Try and cut the leader off between the sprocket holes, or even better, cut them at an angle forming a tapered lead into the spiral.

Mike

RalphLambrecht · Sep 4, 2009

Fellipe de Paula said:
I'm still getting some trouble while trying to loading the film into the reel...
Do you open the film cassete and remove the film reel from it?

Any videos of the correct technique of loading the plastic reel? (mine is brand AP)

I don't. This gives me a chance to put the film back into the canister if something goes terribly wrong.

Steve Smith · Sep 4, 2009

RalphLambrecht said:
I don't. This gives me a chance to put the film back into the canister if something goes terribly wrong.

I don't either. That's a very good reason not to and one I hadn't thought of.

Steve.

Fellipe de Paula · Sep 4, 2009

Ralph, this is just in case you didn't rewind it completely?

Anon Ymous · Sep 4, 2009

Fellipe, I don't take the film out of the cassette and once it is inserted in the reel it can take me less that 30 seconds to fully load it.

Fellipe de Paula · Sep 4, 2009

How do you pull the film from it if you've had rewind it fully into the cassete?

Anon Ymous · Sep 4, 2009

There are tools for that job, but I just open the cassette with a bottle opener. Take the film out of the can, find the leader, then put it right back and pass the leader between the lips of the cassette. I don't like the idea of having the film outside the canister.

Fellipe de Paula · Sep 4, 2009

I got it! Thanks

Sirius Glass · Sep 4, 2009

I open the cassette with a bottle opener. Take the film out of the can, find the leader, I cut off the leader and keep the roll of film in the palm of my hand while I load the steel reel. When I used plastic reels, I let the film drop down. The film does not touch the floor.

Steve

RalphLambrecht · Sep 4, 2009

Fellipe de Paula said:
Ralph, this is just in case you didn't rewind it completely?

I never rewind it completely, but if it happens accidently, I'll try to retrieve the leader with a special tool. If that doesn't work, and it doesn't always work, I open the canister with a bottle opener as already explained above.

Steve Smith · Sep 4, 2009

Another advantage of keeping the film in the cassette with the leader out is that it can be started into the reel in the light.

Steve.

Tony Egan · Sep 4, 2009

There are a few posts on this subject:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
and
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I have a "third hand" method which is illustrated in the above post. Eventually you will find a way that works best with your hands, brain and equipment! Good luck.

Fellipe de Paula · Sep 5, 2009

Can I pull the film into the reel by sliding its sides (shiny side btw) with my thumb tip? Does it make any damage to it?

I'm really thinking of buying a SS tank :/

perkeleellinen · Sep 5, 2009

I touch the very edge of the film with my thumbs but not to pull the film into the reel, more like to hold it to the reel as I twist it back/forward. Difficult to put into words.

I found this, it might help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SM5p_x4w7A

Fellipe de Paula · Sep 5, 2009

Perkeleellinen, I must say the video you linked just solved every little problem I was having. I finally could load the reel without any problem! You rock! Thanks so much!

How to hold the film (and reel) for loading it? Plastic tank

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