Nikor Tank, How to Load

Now that I have one, for my Pressman C, I have no idea how to load it. I've figured out that the two curved pieces, are for the different sized film sheets it can handle. However I am lost as to how to do this in the dark.

Anyone ever use one of these, or have instructions? I've searched and not seen instructions anywhere Google seems to be able to find them.

The picture below is what I have.




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Even though I personally have never seen this style, it looks quite simple. The two individual parts with the notches appear to be loading guides, and you have them up-side-down. I believe they should fit onto the top of the film holder, and you push the film into the slot until your finger touches the bottom of the notch, then you carefully remove the guide and finish sliding the sheet into the slot. I don't know if this would be easier than just curving the sheet by hand and feeling the slot, then inserting. Practice with some pre-developed or wasted negatives in the light until you are comfortable with what you are doing, then close your eyes and try.

I believe Rick is right. I have one, but without the 2 curved loading guides. Not sure why you have 2 as you can only use one at a time. Are you sure they're for different sized sheets? The "corrugated" film holder will only hold 2.25" film as far as I know.

I've loaded mine without those guides; it can be a bit tricky to get the film in matching slots. So I'm curious to see if the curved guides help. Note that the tank is a bit taller than a typical 2x35mm tank.

For the life of me, I don't know why someone has not duplicated this approach for 4x5. It would be roughly the size of the discontinued Nikor tank, but with a much simpler film holder. Stainless steel ideally, but even plastic would work. I suppose the mod54 comes close.

The two guides differ by depth of the curve. A picture of the box refers to two different sized films.

The guides do not seem to latch or otherwise make it easy to line up, in the dark. At least the ways I have tried it. I keep seeing it as harder with them, than without.

I keep thinking there has to be an easier way, and that if I saw the instructions I would be humbled by the super easy method.

2-1/4 x 3-1/4 is the American size, and 6.5x9cm is the European size. The filmholders fit the same cameras, but the film size is different. Presumably the guide with the deeper curve is for the larger, European size.

I'm not sure about 2-1/2 x 3-1/2, but it could be pack film, which is a slightly different size from cut film. I've experimented with old film packs of this format, but I've always just processed the film in trays.

I'm not sure all 4x5" films would hold up to agitation without falling out of the grooves and sticking together with a tank of this design.

I have two of the other type of Nikor sheet film tank, which can be adjusted for all sizes from 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 to 4x5".