Kodak HIE reload question

[Rich Ullsmith]

Probably not the first time this has happened. Loading a roll of HIE in some motel bathroom, I must have missed the teeth on the take-up reel a bit (Contax G2). I took the first shot, then it auto rewound, and idiotically, I didn't have the "tail out" option selected. I have since rectified that.

So, what are the considerations on cracking that open and reloading on another reel? Sure, complete dark. But are gloves necessary for handling? Will the temperature of my fingers fog it if it's handled? It's my last roll and really want to shoot it, so let me know if there are some precautions here. Thanks up front for the help.

 

[Ray Heath]

g'day Rich

why do you need to "reload", don't you just need to retrieve the film leader?

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

Film leader is in the cannister. Is there actually some homemade device that will allow me to retrieve it? Tell me more.

 

[Ray Heath]

when i have to i use either of 2 methods;

1 - stiff plastic strip, like you'd cut from a credit card, with double sided tape, crefully insert, turn the spindle until the double sided tape catches the end of the leader, slowly withdraw plastic strip

2 - a 30cm length of un-processed film is slowly inserted, by turning the spindle the film in the cannister will grab the length of film due to friction, wind the length in with the spindle then slowly withdraw

both need a little practice, both are "easy" and safe

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

In other words, no beer in the darkroom tonight. Have you done this in the dark? A little subdued light would be great, but I understand the leader cannot be exposed at all. Method #2 sounds least risky, base on my vast experience.

 

[Ray Heath]

i wouldn't worry about total darkness, somewhat subdued should be ok, something like turn off the light in the darkroom, leave the light on in the next room and half close the door

 

[vanimal]

Am I missing something here? All you need is a Film Leader Picker like the one shown below. BTW, all film pickers are not created equal. The Film Picker 4 is a really good one that has never let me down. I've had it for a decade.

Dead Link Removed

Procedure:
1. Film can and Picker and camera go into changing bag.
2. Film leader gets retrieved using film picker.
3. Film gets loaded back into camera.
4. Open changing bag and remove contents.

I would practice with the picker on a roll of hp5 or whatever first prior to trying to retrieve the leader. Also, be patient when you go to retrieve the leader on the HIE roll. The opening on the Kodak HIE can is tighter than on standard b&w films. Be gentle inserting the first and second picker blades. Do not force. If it feels like it is jamming, spin the spool around just a bit to get it to go in. I've retrieved the leader on 100's of rolls of HIE this way prior to loading onto a jobo reel. Don't waste your film. Get a film picker. No good analog man should be without one.

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

I figured the brushes would be tighter also because the base of that film feels thinner. Thanks for the link on the Picker, it's out of my league. Poking at it with some home-made device is more my style. I have some rolls of old transparency I can play with.

 

[eddie gunks]

take it to your local lab and ask them to pull out the leader for you. any minilab or pro lab can do this for you very easily. they have this device....basically a thin "sticky tongue" that slips into the canister sticks onto the leader and pulls it out. easy as pie!

eddie

ps. you could ask them to do it in there changing bag if you were worried about IR light getting in...

 

[railwayman3]

I bought my film-leader-retriever-gadget on Ebay, only $3-4. They seem to be listed there quite frequently,

It's Ilford brand (before the company re-organisation), and works just fine with a little patience and care. And small enough to tuck in the camera bag if you wish.