Leaving tape on roll film during processing

[David Brown]

As long as I’ve read newsgroups, there have been ongoing debates about metal vs. plastic developing reels. Regarding how difficult (some say) it is to load metal reels:

I’ve been doing this a long time, and have used metal reels since I was able to afford them – maybe 30+ years. After some experience, I have been able to load these with no problem – it just takes a little practice and a little patience.

However, when I first started, I had the habit of leaving the tape on roll film on the film (the tape that holds the film to the paper backing). I would fold the tape back over the edge of the film, and that gave the clips in the reel something to hold on to. As I got good at it, I stopped doing this.

Tonight, I developed a roll of 120, and left the tape on – for no other reason than I thought about this debate over reels. Then, as I was souping the film, it occurred to me that there could be a possible chemical problem with doing so. I never had a problem years ago, and tonight’s film looks fine, but I thought I’d throw this open to the learned minds on APUG for comment.

If there is no down side, leaving the tape on could help some people load their reels …

David

 

[papagene]

David,
I have always left the tape on the end of the film for the same reason - that and being a little too lazy besides. I have never notice any ill affects from this practice.

gene

 

[glbeas]

On very rare occasions I've had particles of the tape come loose and stick elsewhere on the film, generally someplace very annoying. I've gotten in the habit of peeling the tape off completely when loading roll film.

 

[sergio caetano]

Eugene W Smith was able to load two 35mm films in one metal reel, one back to the other. I have never tried to load even one in metal reel (35 or 120). I always used Paterson plastic reel and cutting off the paper tape in order to avoid what glbeas said before.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've never noticed a problem, but if you reuse developer or maintain a tank line with replenished chemistry, the tape and adhesive can build up and deposit itself on the film. I suppose this could even be a problem with reused fixer, though I haven't particularly noticed it myself, and I reuse film fixer. It may depend on how much film you process and how much you're putting through the same solutions. I suspect that for most people who aren't running a professional film lab, the tape isn't anything to worry about.

 

[rbarker]

I load 120 direct from the spool, allowing the paper backing to fall away as I load. Thus, the tape is at the wrong end for me. Unless it's really cold and dry, where the release of static is a problem, I usually remove it, as I've had problems with debris attaching itself to the film during processing. I suspect the debris is actually paper fibers that have come loose from the tape, rather than bits of the tape itself.

 

[blansky]

I use Patterson plastic reels and I photograph a lot of kids, and that one shot could be the great one.

Therefore I try to eliminate any possible Murphy's Law variables that could occur.


Michael

 

[mark]

I've loaded onto both metal and plastic. I don't think one is easier or better than the other. I also have never removed the tape and have not had problems. Of course that being said I better find some wood to knock on. Like Ralph my tape end is at the end of the roll. Maybe that is what makes the difference. I fold it over and tape it to the other side of the film.

So what is the dabate all about? The plastic VS steel or the tape?

 

[Annemarieke]

Eugene W Smith was able to load two 35mm films in one metal reel, one back to the other. I have never tried to load even one in metal reel (35 or 120). I always used Paterson plastic reel and cutting off the paper tape in order to avoid what glbeas said before.

Sergio, it is quite easy to load two 120 rolls onto one reel (I use plastic Patterson reels). I don't load them 'back to back', but one after the other. There is plenty of space on the reel to do that. The first rollfilm is pushed all the way to the core of the reel and the second one can easily be loaded onto the reel.

It saves on chemicals and time.

Anne Marieke

 

[Leon]

i also load two 120s on on one plastic reel, but I use the tape to stick the films end to end. I have tried not doing this in the hope that the 2nd film will push round the 1st, but I alwys get overlaps and undeveloped film tht way. I have never noticed any chemical probs, but to be certain, once out of the wash water, I hang the film to dry with the tape end down and cut it off with some scissors.

 

[arigram]

Sergio, it is quite easy to load two 120 rolls onto one reel (I use plastic Patterson reels). I don't load them 'back to back', but one after the other. There is plenty of space on the reel to do that. The first rollfilm is pushed all the way to the core of the reel and the second one can easily be loaded onto the reel.

It saves on chemicals and time.

Anne Marieke

I've tried more than once Anne with no luck. The second roll always overtakes the first one and a whole of a mess happens. I even tried to use the sticky tape to tape them together, pretty impossible to do it right in the dark.

Any hints as to how you do it?
Do you "just do it" or is there a fine print somewhere?

 

[AllanD]

I recently taken to putting a little kink in the corners of trailing edge of the first film. This doesn't stop the film loading (I use Jobo plastic spools, where you can push the film round by the edges), and does seem to stop the second overlapping the first.

 

[rjr]

David,

a while ago a german magazine ("Foto Hobby Labor") proved that leaving the tape on might influence your washing - the thiosulfate in the fixer penetrates the tape and resides there, contaminating the washing water and resulting in a longer washing period.

Caveat: I have only found reference to this article, never read the article myself. But the idea "sounds right", it is basically the same what happens with washing baryta papers.

 

[Annemarieke]

I've tried more than once Anne with no luck. The second roll always overtakes the first one and a whole of a mess happens. I even tried to use the sticky tape to tape them together, pretty impossible to do it right in the dark.

Any hints as to how you do it?
Do you "just do it" or is there a fine print somewhere?

I make sure the first roll is _completely_ in the core of the reel, by pushing it in as far as it will go and then twisting the reels a few times and pushing it even further in. Then the second roll goes in without any problems. I have never had the problem of overlapping film.

I never use the sticky tape and actually always make sure that I have taken that off, because I cannot imagine that the chemicals in the tape don't interfere with the developer and/or fixer.

Somebody once told me that there is a gadget that you can clip on at the end of the first roll, which then pulls in the second roll, but I have never been able to find it.

Anne Marieke

 

[Ed Sukach]

I'm a little puzzled.

In loading two films onto a JOBO reel, the "red tab" is first retracted; the first roll loaded to the center of the spool; the "tab" pressed in, preventing an override (I check with a fingernail);the second loaded to - after the start of the spiral (don't be too energetic); the tank assembled - and the fun begins.

I can't quite understand the apparent omission of the "red tab" information...?

I routinely strip the anchoring tape from the film - in those cases where, in error, I have not - I can't notice one damn whit of difference.

 

[Lee Shively]

I've always left the tape on the film. Whatever benefit may be derived from removing it is offset by my ham-handedness in the dark in trying to get the tape off. I used Paterson plastic tanks and reels when I first started darkroom work. Later I started using stainless. For me it was easier to load 35mm on the plastic reels but it is easier to load 120 on stainless.

 

[Leon]

Any hints as to how you do it?

taping together-wise, I just do it and find it really easy ... I leave one film ith the sticker on, and take it off the other, then line up the ends feeling that the sides are flush and stick down.

 

[rakuhito]

uhh i just fold the tape under. it helps to stick the 120 onto the spool catch latch thingy. never any problems. never.

peel, tuck and roll.

might save your life.

 

[mobtown_4x5]

I use SS Hewes reels- is it possible to get two rolls of 120 on these? Has anyone done it?

 

[Konical]

Good Morning, David,

With 120, I've always left the tape on, folded it around the end of the film, and proceeded to load. It adds a little stiffness and thickness, but I never have any problem puncturing that area with the center spike of Kinderman reels. Really hadn't thought about possible chemical contamination, but that seems like a minimal possibility.

Konical

 

[blansky]

I'm a little puzzled.

In loading two films onto a JOBO reel, the "red tab" is first retracted; the first roll loaded to the center of the spool; the "tab" pressed in, preventing an override (I check with a fingernail);the second loaded to - after the start of the spiral (don't be too energetic); the tank assembled - and the fun begins.

I can't quite understand the apparent omission of the "red tab" information...?

I routinely strip the anchoring tape from the film - in those cases where, in error, I have not - I can't notice one damn whit of difference.

Previously I wrote that I use patterson reels but I, like Ed use Jobo and I've never had overlap either. I do remove the tape because I'm anal and know that Murphy is out to get me.

Perhaps the Paterson don't have the little red tab.


Michael

 

[Annemarieke]

Nope, Patterson does not have that little red thingy.

Anne Marieke

 

[david b]

I take a pair of scissors with me into my changing room. Also, I only do one roll per reel. I take no chances.