Wire film holders for developing 35mm

How does one do this? Push them in to the centre like the plastic ones? Mine (given to me) has a spring clip in the middle. It seems logical one end of the film would be clipped to this, but how do you get the film neatly in the spaces between the wires. I have a feeling I'm missing something here!

No you start at the centre, the trick is to hold the film at the edges and gently bow it, at the same time you rotate the spiral easing the film between the wires. It's actually very easy, try it with some scrap film in daylight first.

Ian

Practice practice practice

Practice loading a reel in the daylight several times with a roll of film (yes you must waste a roll of film). Then practice with your eyes closed or in a darkroom. Once you can load your test roll several time with no problems, then load a test roll for development.

Henry Horenstein's book is a great source for learning how to do this if you do not have a friend who already knows how and can show you.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-White-P...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229429964&sr=1-1

Look up JBrunner's video about loading 120 reels. 35mm reels work pretty much the same way, though he does it slightly differently from the way I do it.

I do it by starting the film in the center (you don't actually need to clip it, unless it makes it easier for you--if you clip it off center, it will make it harder), and roll the reel on the table about 6 inches at a time, feeding the film in with my right hand, holding the film out parallel to the table surface as I push it onto the reel, stabilizing the reel with my left hand and moving it back to the starting point after rolling it. You should always feel a little play, pushing and pulling on the film.

As a matter of fact I do have a couple of already-wasted rolls I'll try it on. Thanks for the information everyone.

Take a fine pair of needle nose pliers and bend the shorts length loops around and out of the way so that the film can more easily slide into the clip. Made my life a whole lot easier after a few rounds of practice would not ev en start because the frickin leader wouldn't feed into the clip. Don't be afraid to modify your equipment as in line with your common sense. Don't work, then fix it. Good luck and keep us up to speed.