You know you LOVE film when.....

[250swb]

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

 

[GRHazelton]

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

 

[Darkroom317]

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

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.

 

[GRHazelton]

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".

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.