You know you LOVE film when.....

If you are loading a daylight tank without a dedicated darkroom the first best way is a Calumet 'Changing Room' (tent), a table top device that packs up and doesn't cost nearly as much as other changing tents (£48 in the UK). The second best way is a changing bag. The third best way is to have a curtain that can be pinned/hooked up against the door instead of taping it each time. The problem with temporary curtains, like a cotton changing bag, is dust that fly's around in the air, so try for a man made fibre.

Steve

The cardboard guide for the Paterson sounds like a great idea! Thanks.

BardParker said:

I struggled with Paterson reels for 120 and then I got this:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/55043-Arista-Premium-Plastic-Developing-Reel?cat_id=1603

The plastic guide makes loading 120 film really easy, even in a changing bag.

Kent

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Yes, yes and yes. I have never been able to get 120 to load correctly on the paterson reels. Fumbling around with those things is no fun in the dark for 20 mins.

mr rusty said:

I agree, you have to practice. There is only one thing more frustrating than wasting film and that's messing up a film with images on! I still find this the trickiest bit, especially with 120, but I'm getting more confident. One time I dropped the film in the darkroom, and it took me AGES to find it in the dark. It had managed to roll away much further than I expected! You can't tell anyone how to load reels - you just have to work it out for yourself - I bet we all have our own "system".

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After having searched once too often for a dropped SS tank lid in the inky vastness of the darkroom floor (how does space expand in the dark?) I began putting all the needed stuff for loading a tank in a 16 x 20 processing tray. With everything confined I "lose" things far less often.

Someone suggested that the invisible hand after five minutes is a darkness test: Agreed. Actually tiny pinpoints of light don't seem to make much difference, you can always move to put your body between them and the film.