When Do You Remove the Paper?

[BradS]

using scissors in the dark is always a bad idea.

Have been using scissors in the dark for almost 35 years. Haven't cut myself nor the changing back (knock on wood).

I did have a nasty incident involving one of those ols style paper choppers in the dark room when I was about 13 years old though...

 

[cliveh]

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?

Before, as I would like to know how you can remove it after loading?

 

[CatLABS]

Before, as I would like to know how you can remove it after loading?

+1

 

[StoneNYC]

I tear the film at the end.

You must have worked in the movie industry at some point...

I only cut the 35mm because I re-use the spools.

As far as 120, I'm with Bethe, I just let the paper fall away as I load it till I get to the end then slowly take the tape off, not so much slow because I'm afraid of static (even though that's a secondary concern) I just like to get all the tape off the film, so you have to go slow to avoid tearing the base.

I figure if you unroll the film first, you introduce more chance of scratching the film and adding more dust to it, just load the film and the paper falls away... You don't have to touch the film back so less fingerprint oils etc as well.

 

[removed account4]

peel back/rip the tape,
feel the paper, and peel it back
feel the film and hopefully load it onto the spool
instead of the paper ( sometimes it is not so easy to do )
the film is just taped, i just tear it free from the paper.
most of the time it tears OK ( perf'd ) sometimes
kodak film sparks. it is low light, and like munching on
spearmint lifesavers, and doesn't expose film.
35mm, i cut the tongue, and at the spool with a skizzerz
its not hard after 30+ years. i cut my hair in the dark too.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

You need scissors to cut certain films such as Estar (polyester) based ones. I use a short pair of rounded tip safety scissors. Ripping film is also not hard, you just need to pinch the side well with fingernails and rip with a quick movement.

 

[StoneNYC]

You need scissors to cut certain films such as Estar (polyester) based ones. I use a short pair of rounded tip safety scissors. Ripping film is also not hard, you just need to pinch the side well with fingernails and rip with a quick movement.

Really need to get safety scissors, I've totally cut my dark bag already... Good thing I got a dark tent shortly after...

 

[Truzi]

I can certainly see where safety scissors would be good. I've not cut my changing bag yet, but using full-sized pointed scissors was such a pain that I now put a cardboard box in the bag (on end) just to be able to maneuver more easily and safely - safely for the bag, as I always know where my body parts are. I should get a tent as Stone has, and keep the bag in case something happens in the field.

 

[StoneNYC]

I can certainly see where safety scissors would be good. I've not cut my changing bag yet, but using full-sized pointed scissors was such a pain that I now put a cardboard box in the bag (on end) just to be able to maneuver more easily and safely - safely for the bag, as I always know where my body parts are. I should get a tent as Stone has, and keep the bag in case something happens in the field.

I jumped on a good deal on a Harrison tent, I'm so glad I did, it's amazing!

 

[CatLABS]

Really need to get safety scissors, I've totally cut my dark bag already... Good thing I got a dark tent shortly after...

The best safety scissors are not to use them in the dark.

 

[StoneNYC]

The best safety scissors are not to use them in the dark.

Well that's not exactly an option is it... If you are re-rolling your film... Lol

 

[BradS]

I use the kind of scissors that are given to childer in first grade. They seem perfect for cutting 35mm in the dark...or in the dark bag.

 

[CatLABS]

Well that's not exactly an option is it... If you are re-rolling your film... Lol

Not if you are using a film loader, a 5$ item that can save you a finger or two, and beyond that help you count the amount of frames loaded to each cassette.

 

[StoneNYC]

Not if you are using a film loader, a 5$ item that can save you a finger or two, and beyond that help you count the amount of frames loaded to each cassette.

Umm I have a loader...

But when you load the reel.... After shooting the film... You need to disconnect the end of the roll of film from the rest of the film, you need to cut the end (I leave an inch of film sticking out of the reel). Then I reload the canister using the bulk loader... Still need a scissors....

 

[CatLABS]

Well, if you are reusing commercial cassettes you need to tape the loaded film to the stub thats left from the original film. Why not just peel that tape off...?
If you are using reloadable cassettes, that is not a problem.

 

[StoneNYC]

Well, if you are reusing commercial cassettes you need to tape the loaded film to the stub thats left from the original film. Why not just peel that tape off...?
If you are using reloadable cassettes, that is not a problem.

Commercial caskets, but FIRST you need to cut the commercially loaded film off of it (the first time) and taking clear thin scotch tape (that won't damage the fibers of the light trap) off in the dark isn't any easier lol.

Anyway yea, once the first time is done it's easier with no scissors but the first time you still need scissors.

 

[Truzi]

What if cutting bulk unperfed 35mm film to desired length, then punching index holes in it, and ultimately loading into 126 cartridges? Am I allowed to use scissors in the dark or in a changing bag then? Or perhaps spooling a 127 core with bulk pan film?

 

[StoneNYC]

What if cutting bulk unperfed 35mm film to desired length, then punching index holes in it, and ultimately loading into 126 cartridges? Am I allowed to use scissors in the dark or in a changing bag then? Or perhaps spooling a 127 core with bulk pan film?

Haha!

I think the 126 is insanity.

The 127 I do myself with probably the same film (HP5+) .

 

[Truzi]

Haha!

I think the 126 is insanity.

The 127 I do myself with probably the same film (HP5+) .

Hope you're not using scissors, lol. I've some expired unperfed Portra for the 126 (found it online). So far I have only done a proof-of-concept developed in D-76. Everything worked, so now I'm loaded up and ready to process C-41 soon.

 

[L Gebhardt]

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).

Never tried to tear film, and it seems like a sure way to mangle it. I've used scissors in the dark for 30 years and still haven't cut myself. Unlike DUI, I'm only risking a small cut so I'll likely continue using scissors in the dark. But I refuse to run with them in the dark.

 

[StoneNYC]

Never tried to tear film, and it seems like a sure way to mangle it. I've used scissors in the dark for 30 years and still haven't cut myself. Unlike DUI, I'm only risking a small cut so I'll likely continue using scissors in the dark. But I refuse to run with them in the dark.

It kind of "snaps" like something frozen the way it tears.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

How does one get 35mm film onto a plastic reel without cutting a straight edge with scissors?

I've used scissors in the dark and in changing bags for a long time. You just have to be careful.

 

[StoneNYC]

How does one get 35mm film onto a plastic reel without cutting a straight edge with scissors?

I've used scissors in the dark and in changing bags for a long time. You just have to be careful.

You can cut the tongue end before the lights go out... you just can't cut the other end, you CAN rip it if you aren't re-using the roll like I do.

 

[miha]

You can cut the tongue end before the lights go out... you just can't cut the other end, you CAN rip it if you aren't re-using the roll like I do.

Not if you normaly rewind the film all the way in; the other end is not straight either.

 

[CatLABS]

How does one get 35mm film onto a plastic reel without cutting a straight edge with scissors?

I've used scissors in the dark and in changing bags for a long time. You just have to be careful.

some folks use a film picker to grab the leader of the film, trim it, then wind it back.
Other more sophisticated folk who use cameras with manual rewind learn how to rewind the film and leave the leader sticking out.
Even more sophisticated folks yet who have electronic wining cameras program the camera to wind the film and leave a leader out.

Still, if you use Jobo reels, you dont even need to clip the leader, you can just load as is.