When Do You Remove the Paper?

[RattyMouse]

Question: For those who develop 120 rolls of film, when do you remove the paper backing? Before or after loading the film onto the reel? I'm not sure what way is best and I end up cutting it off after I have loaded the film onto the reel. One roll I cut off part of the last frame and I'm not sure how I managed to do that. Perhaps my paper removing method is not optimized.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[MattKing]

Question: For those who develop 120 rolls of film, when do you remove the paper backing? Before or after loading the film onto the reel? I'm not sure what way is best and I end up cutting it off after I have loaded the film onto the reel. One roll I cut off part of the last frame and I'm not sure how I managed to do that. Perhaps my paper removing method is not optimized.

Thanks for any tips!

I remove the paper first by peeling the tape from the paper and folding it over the end of the film. That taped end is easier to load into the reel.

 

[Jim Noel]

I remove the paper first by peeling the tape from the paper and folding it over the end of the film. That taped end is easier to load into the reel.

I agree.

 

[wildbill]

unroll the film till you get to the loos end. hang a 1" spring clip "A clamp" on that end. adds weight and keeps the film under control. rip off paper

 

[Sirius Glass]

I remove the paper first by peeling the tape from the paper and folding it over the end of the film. That taped end is easier to load into the reel.

+1

 

[Tom1956]

Watch out and don't peel the tape too fast--it makes sparks. Nice and slow does it.

 

[winger]

I let it fall away as I put the film on the reel then tear it off when the film is all loaded. Yes, slowly to avoid static sparks. I like keeping it all on the spool until it gets to the reel because I'm fairly sure I'd drop the film on the floor if I took it off the spool sooner.

 

[markbarendt]

I let it fall away as I put the film on the reel then tear it off when the film is all loaded. Yes, slowly to avoid static sparks. I like keeping it all on the spool until it gets to the reel because I'm fairly sure I'd drop the film on the floor if I took it off the spool sooner.

I'm with you.

 

[mooseontheloose]

I remove the paper first by peeling the tape from the paper and folding it over the end of the film. That taped end is easier to load into the reel.

Me too.

I change film in a changing bag so dropping it on the floor is not an issue, and I find it easier to deal with just the film, rather than the film with the paper trailing behind it, in such an enclosed space.

 

[bdial]

Here is my method,
I cup the spool in one hand, then pull the paper with the other, while pulling, my thumb on the hand holding the spool is riding on the film side of the paper. This separates the film from the paper and leaves you holding the rolled up film in one hand, the paper in the other. When you get to the tape tear (at the joint between the paper and the film) or peel it as you like. With practice, you can do this in one motion.

Then load from the taped end as described.

Letting it fall free in a curly strip risks getting kinks or scratches, though it's not a big risk. It also ensures it won't drag on the floor.

 

[DWThomas]

Here is my method,
I cup the spool in one hand, then pull the paper with the other, while pulling, my thumb on the hand holding the spool is riding on the film side of the paper. This separates the film from the paper and leaves you holding the rolled up film in one hand, the paper in the other. When you get to the tape tear (at the joint between the paper and the film) or peel it as you like. With practice, you can do this in one motion.

Then load from the taped end as described.

Letting it fall free in a curly strip risks getting kinks or scratches, though it's not a big risk. It also ensures it won't drag on the floor.

That sounds exactly like what I do.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I use stainless steel Hewes reels, so I don't have to worry about which end spools up easier.
I just load the film into the reel, lock it, spool all of the film until I get to where the tape is. I remove the tape from the paper backing, and fold it over the edge to tape the loose end of the tape to the film. That makes a stiffer edge that is less likely to touch the layer of film underneath.

It's very easy and straight forward to do it like this for me. Never have any loading issues, even with feisty film that curls like a madman.

 

[miha]

I use stainless steel Hewes reels, so I don't have to worry about which end spools up easier.
I just load the film into the reel, lock it, spool all of the film until I get to where the tape is. I remove the tape from the paper backing, and fold it over the edge to tape the loose end of the tape to the film. That makes a stiffer edge that is less likely to touch the layer of film underneath.

It's very easy and straight forward to do it like this for me. Never have any loading issues, even with feisty film that curls like a madman.

I do it the same way you described.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

Hmm, I just separate it as its going onto the reel, when I hit the tape, I slowly peel it off the paper, and attach the next roll right to that tape, and get that second roll on. I dont get any scratches or kinks in the roll, and there is little risk of touching the emulsion side compared to unrolling the whole roll to remove tape, and winding on the roll after.

 

[Xmas]

The simplest way is to roll up the paper off the reel you don't need to touch the film it will naturally roll up by itself independent of the paper

When you get to the pressure sensitive tape you can tear off or cut off the paper without cutting into any film.

Some people fold the tape back over the film to stiffen the end for loading into plastic spirals.

Others wind to other end of film and load it first.

Some people shoot a blank frame at beginning and end.

If you work over a dry and clean wash basin and drop it is easier to pick up the bits and they won't have much dust.

Never try to load two film back to back unless you want to take the risk of damaging two films safer using a multi tank and 1:3 ID11 or Microphen.

You are trying to avoid flexing the film and getting an image of the flex on the film.

 

[L Gebhardt]

Here is my method,
I cup the spool in one hand, then pull the paper with the other, while pulling, my thumb on the hand holding the spool is riding on the film side of the paper. This separates the film from the paper and leaves you holding the rolled up film in one hand, the paper in the other. When you get to the tape tear (at the joint between the paper and the film) or peel it as you like. With practice, you can do this in one motion.

Then load from the taped end as described.

Letting it fall free in a curly strip risks getting kinks or scratches, though it's not a big risk. It also ensures it won't drag on the floor.

That's what I do for stainless steel spirals. But for Jobo reels after I tear the tape I reverse the roll so the non taped end is loaded first. I've had fewer times where the film has gotten stuck by feeding the taped end last.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I pull off the paper by pulling the paper with my right hand and have the film curl and wind on my left hand. When I've reached the tape end, I put my right thumb between the backing paper and film and peel the tape off. I pull slowly because of static and to avoid tearing the film.

 

[fotch]

Remove the paper & then proceed.

 

[CatLABS]

Question: For those who develop 120 rolls of film, when do you remove the paper backing? Before or after loading the film onto the reel? I'm not sure what way is best and I end up cutting it off after I have loaded the film onto the reel. One roll I cut off part of the last frame and I'm not sure how I managed to do that. Perhaps my paper removing method is not optimized.

Thanks for any tips!

using scissors in the dark is always a bad idea.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

I let it fall away as I put the film on the reel then tear it off when the film is all loaded. Yes, slowly to avoid static sparks. I like keeping it all on the spool until it gets to the reel because I'm fairly sure I'd drop the film on the floor if I took it off the spool sooner.

Ditto

 

[L Gebhardt]

using scissors in the dark is always a bad idea.

How do you process 35mm if you don't use scissors?

 

[Gerald C Koch]

When I used to load film in the tank using a changing bag I used a pair of blunt metal children's scissors. Less chance of puncturing the bag.

 

[MattKing]

How do you process 35mm if you don't use scissors?

I tear the film at the end.

 

[Wayne]

I whack it off with a scissors in the dark before loading the film onto the reel. I slide the paper end of the film between my index and middle finger, and use them as a guide for cutting. I still have both of the fingers. Sometimes I drop the film but I usually sit on the floor to load the film anyway, just like I do with film holders. So it usually falls in my lap.

 

[CatLABS]

How do you process 35mm if you don't use scissors?

Probably the same way you do . The film easily detaches from the cassette core, or if you are not opening the cassette from some reason, you can just tear it at the end.

Using scissors in the dark is a sure guarantee for pain now or in the future (though i guess like many a DUI, you can go your whole life with out getting caught).