Paterson reel and 120 filmS

Hello there,

I read here and there that it is possible to load 1 Paterson reel with 2 120 rolls.

Practical question for those doing it: How to do load the second roll? Do you tape the end of the first roll with the start of the second one (and in this case, does the tape interfere with the developer?) or is there any secret method?

Thanks!

I use the AP/Samigon/Arista premium clone reels to do this - the ones with the wider flange at the loading end.
I load the first roll then use my finger and rotation of the reel to push the first roll all the way to the centre.
I then load the second roll until it is fully on to the reel, but no further.
That results in there being a relatively short space between the two rolls.
The challenge from there is to stop the two rolls from moving within the channels of the reel, and ending up overlapping each other.
I've learned from experience that if I use continuous, reversing rotary agitation during the development stage, the films will move and overlap.
So now I use normal inversion agitation for all but the first 30 seconds of the development stage.
For all other parts of the process - a three minute pre-wash, the first 30 seconds of development, stop bath, fixer bath 1, fixer bath 2, rinse and HCA - I use the rotary agitation, and have no problems with using continuous, reversing rotary agitation.

I load he reel as Matt, I never use a pre wash, developer rotation for 30 seconds, then inversion for 10 seconds every minute, then stop bath and fixer, and wash using the Ilford method, wetting agent in final rinse and shake and hang up, did 2 films today this way

When I've done it in the past, I've taped the films together by pushing the first film about halfway around the reel, starting the second, and walking it in until they meet (so the film is supported and aligned before I tape).. If your camera is working right, there should be at least half to 3/4 inch of unexposed film at each end, and careful taping will keep the tape off the first/last frame. I load emulsion in on the spiral, so the tape is going on the backing side, but even so, there's generally dye left in the film under the tape.

Another method I've heard of is to cut clips 1/4 to 1/2 inch long from the binder strips of clear plastic report covers. Load the first film, slip a clip over the tail edge, then push the film to the enter of the reel and load the second roll. The clip avoids the possibility of an overlap,

Donald Qualls said:

Another method I've heard of is to cut clips 1/4 to 1/2 inch long from the binder strips of clear plastic report covers. Load the first film, slip a clip over the tail edge, then push the film to the enter of the reel and load the second roll. The clip avoids the possibility of an overlap,

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Excellent tip!