Problems with loading medium format film onto reel

[GLS]

Sounds like a good tip. Makes sense. When you say "disposable gloves", do you mean the traditional rubber type that people often used to do the washing up? Or are we talking more advanced than that? I'm guessing they have to be really thin material, almost skin thick? I imagine using traditional rubber gloves would be too cumbersome to do the fiddly task of loading film?

I am thinking you mean something like this? : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pack-100-disposable-clear-gloves/dp/B003L78KQ0

Not washing up gloves; those would be far too thick.

Any thin disposable nitrile gloves should do the trick. Something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nitrile-Po...qid=1536684963&sr=1-5&keywords=nitrile+gloves

The main consideration is you get the right size. Too big/loose and they will hinder dexterity & sense of touch.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks everyone for the help and guidance.

To answer a few points - the stainless reel I use is a Hewes reel. I read they were 'best' for medium format but I have struggled as stated originally. This guy makes it look like childs play!!! . For 35mm, I have a plastic reel, and that is so easy. I just feed it in and rotate the wheel - not had a single prblem there. Is there a reel for 120 that has a similar kind of mecahnism to the Patterson 35mm reels?

I like the sound of the sharp pencil idea, and running around the endge of the reel. That sounds very logical and I will try that next time as well.

I have to use a changing bag as I do not have a dark enough room. I did try this time at making my hands cold under running water first, and drying them, which I also found helped.

I guess it's just a learning curve.

Your 35mm plastic reel is most likely an adjustable reel. If so, you can switch it to 120 size.
You will most likely find that loading 120 in a Paterson or Paterson clone reel is a bit different than loading 35mm - the film is both larger and less stiff. Getting the film started is the hard part. And of course there are no sprocket holes.

The sharp pencil idea is really only practical for plastic reels - not steel ones.

If you must use a changing bag, put something like a frame or small cardboard box inside it so it stays off your hands and at least a little air flows around your hands.

Once you start having regular success with the steel reels, they really work well. So get a couple of sacrificial rolls to practice with, and practice - both outside the changing bag first, and then inside the changing bag later.

 

[BAC1967]

below are instructions for using the Nikor stainless steel guide for loading reels. I have the Nikor 35mm guide, it works pretty good.

I also have one of those handy film loaders that have the same guide built onto a mechanism for winding the film onto the reel. Kinderman and LPL made those film loader devices for 35mm but I'm not sure if they were made for 120 film. The one I have works pretty good for loading 35mm film.

 

[BAC1967]

These are the instructions for the LPL Handy Loader for 35mm film.