Azzi
member
Reged: 08/05/2006
Posts: 156
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Hi folks,
I`m feeling my way through some basic film processing, so far with quite pleasing results. The biggest problem I have is loading the film (120 med format) into the spiral - last night it took nearly an hour(!), I got in a right mess, the adhesive paper backing stuck to the film, the film itself became tangled and creased, and locating the edges into the spiral induced much bad language. I use a changing bag for this procedure.
Does anyone have any tips for loading the film into the spiral??
Thanks for any advice...
Chris
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Benchista
Wich Tyler
Reged: 11/08/2000
Posts: 36293
Loc: Everywhere and nowhere, baby
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What kind of spirals are you using?
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Nick
www.nbrphoto.com
Light and Shade II - the new blog
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Azzi
member
Reged: 08/05/2006
Posts: 156
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Gosh, I`v only just posted and get an instant reply.. thanks.
I`m using Patterson spirals - I think they are "universal" as they can be adjusted for 120 and 35mm.
Chris
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Fen
BAD WOLF
Reged: 12/03/2002
Posts: 19499
Loc: Currently Unknown!
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I always used to snip the corners on the end of the film to give a more curved edge.
Made it a little easier to get the film onto the spiral, but I think it's just down to practice really 
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Fen.
- Fen's Flickr Fotos -
"One good photograph does not a photographer make."
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Fen
BAD WOLF
Reged: 12/03/2002
Posts: 19499
Loc: Currently Unknown!
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Oh... even though the film was in a changing bag, I found it easier if my eyes were closed!
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Fen.
- Fen's Flickr Fotos -
"One good photograph does not a photographer make."
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Benchista
Wich Tyler
Reged: 11/08/2000
Posts: 36293
Loc: Everywhere and nowhere, baby
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OK, then the first thing to do is to make sure that the reels are ABSOLUTELY dry.
It's worth practising with the reels until you really know by feel which bit is which, too.
Like Fen, I snip the sharp points off the corners of the film - stops it snagging.
Then I apply a very slight curve across the film when inserting it into the reel, and pull it as far as possible onto the reel before winding it with the customary back/forth motion - which has to be done fairly carefully with 120. Keeping the backing paper away isn't always easy - you have to find a method that works for you, but really, it's a case of being aware. And also like Fen, I find it easier with my eyes shut!
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Nick
www.nbrphoto.com
Light and Shade II - the new blog
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Fen
BAD WOLF
Reged: 12/03/2002
Posts: 19499
Loc: Currently Unknown!
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Quote:
And also like Fen, I find it easier with my eyes shut!
Like cycling off-road downhill in a forest!
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Fen.
- Fen's Flickr Fotos -
"One good photograph does not a photographer make."
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Azzi
member
Reged: 08/05/2006
Posts: 156
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Thanks Fen,
So snipping off the corners helps....I`ll try it.
Well last night my eyes were closed as well, in fact my whole face was contorted with pain and covered in sweat as I cried out for help...
Chris
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Benchista
Wich Tyler
Reged: 11/08/2000
Posts: 36293
Loc: Everywhere and nowhere, baby
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Quote:
Quote:
And also like Fen, I find it easier with my eyes shut!
Like cycling off-road downhill in a forest!
Nope, I like to know when to jump off then! 
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Nick
www.nbrphoto.com
Light and Shade II - the new blog
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Azzi
member
Reged: 08/05/2006
Posts: 156
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Nick, thanks,
Seems like I just need to persevere. It`s annoying but I`ve developed 4 rolls as a practice - the results were great. So last night I had to develop a film (SFX200) taken for an SPI course I`m doing, typically it went wrong, the images all came out as I hoped but most are damaged and not useable.
Thanks again,
Chris
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NorthernMonkey
enthusiast
Reged: 01/05/2007
Posts: 269
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I'll second the absolutely dry comment. They have to be really really really dry. Leaving on a radiator, or using a hair dryer can help this.
I remove the paper completely, put it to the side, then loads the film. (all in a changing bag).
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frank1
addict
Reged: 14/06/2005
Posts: 590
Loc: the big smoke islington
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In my day when using identical film I'd wind the first on and leaving the sticky tape attached the second film, all in the changing bag. I have to say though I have had my sticky moments and its a pain. Practice makes perfect goodluck
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Azzi
member
Reged: 08/05/2006
Posts: 156
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AHH! - I think I have been stupid - do you encourage the film onto the spiral so it goes well beyond the little ball bearing grips before starting the winding??
I have been stopping as soon as I reach the grips, I then find it becomes loose as soon as I attempt to wind it on.
Chris
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Benchista
Wich Tyler
Reged: 11/08/2000
Posts: 36293
Loc: Everywhere and nowhere, baby
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Pull it on as far as you possibly can - it's much easier that way.
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Nick
www.nbrphoto.com
Light and Shade II - the new blog
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ermintrude
Hinkypuff
Reged: 30/06/2003
Posts: 12133
Loc: London, UK
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You dont have any form of room with no windows you could seal yourself into to do it do you? The wetness is a major problem and I always found with a changing bag the longer you spend in there the sweatier your hands get and the worse it gets. You could try using film gloves, it may or may not help, ie the film will get less damp but you wont be able to feel it as easily...
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Further, longer, higher, older...
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Azzi
member
Reged: 08/05/2006
Posts: 156
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Thanks again Nick - that will help a lot!
Ermintrude - yes I created my own arm length Sauna last night, it was a complete shambles! I have a tiny cloak room - less than a meter square, its definitely worth considering. This photography “thing” can become pretty solitary……every ones help here has been great.
I`ll check in again tomorrow.
Chris
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Malcolm_Stewart
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2215
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
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Well, you're not alone finding trouble when loading 120 film into a modern spiral. I've developed hundreds of 35mm films over the years with few problems during the loading phase, and I know and practise all the procedures advised above.
I started with 120 in the 1950s (without the benefit of Paterson's steel balls or other gizmos) and had few problems then, so what's changed? I think it's the move to allow spirals to take the longer 220 film or two 120 films, one after the other. This has lessened the gap between the grooves in the spiral, and I think it's this which has made loading 120 films more difficult today than way back when.
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Malcolm Stewart
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zx9
old hand
Reged: 22/06/2007
Posts: 804
Loc: London
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Just skimmed through the thread so this may have been said already.
Why not sacrifice an unexposed roll of film to practice first in day light and when you are happy with that try again in the changing bag.
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Regards
ZX9 (Keith)  
My Flickr Pictures
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Garry McNamara
Snr Tutor/Bongo Banjo
Reged: 16/08/2006
Posts: 2045
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Finally has anyone found a way to get a compact flash card through those little ball bearings or do I have to use a stainless steel spiral and one of those windy thingumies?
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4194
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Quote:
Finally has anyone found a way to get a compact flash card through those little ball bearings or do I have to use a stainless steel spiral and one of those windy thingumies?
Try a sledgehammer
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